Our new book The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book is now available for pre-order!

Happy Obscura Day! The World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things’s Erika Nelson

This past Saturday was Obscura Day, a day devoted to hidden and odd treasures from around the world, organized by Atlas Obscura. Since you all know I’m all about the odd you all know I had to attend something!

There were several events around Chicago, such as a tour of the Busy Beaver Button Company and a special look at Skin Diseases and Chromolithographs at the International Museum of Surgical Science. Somewhat unfortunately I already had plans to eat mass quantities of bacon that afternoon.

Luckily there was an event that night that really caught my eye: Erika Nelson, creator of The World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things, was giving a lecture right in my home town!

Erika is a road tripper and artist who has devoted much of her life to visiting roadside attractions and creating a few of her own. The World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things is a collection of miniature (though she contends that they are not true to-scale models) of American roadside giants.

Unfortunately she was not able to bring her traveling museum/bus this time around (and very unfortunately it’s something I have yet to see in person). She did, however, bring her alternate mode of transportation: a fully-decked-out art car!

Erika Nelson's Art Car - The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things

Erika Nelson's Art Car - The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things

Erika Nelson's Art Car - The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things

Erika Nelson's Art Car - The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things

Erika Nelson's Art Car - The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things

She gave a wonderful speech and slide show (yes, with a real slide projector) on roadside attractions, mimetic architecture, and her life on the road.

It’s funny how much I could relate to her stories. She became enamored at an early age with roadside attractions, associating directions with attractions. To me, I grew up in a town with a zoo, and so so many places had some sort of animal theme to them. And I grew up right by the Spindle and seeing it meant a trip to the shopping mall.

She showed photos and regaled stories of some of the biggest attractions she’d ever seen. She told us about her life, how she rejected what everyone told her she was supposed to do and instead decided to live her life as she wanted.

It was truly inspiring to hear from someone who had many of the same ideals as me and has made it all work out.

Erika Nelson of The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things.

If you find yourself in Lucas, Kansas (or wherever it might be touring) be sure to check out her traveling roadside attraction and museum. I know I am dying to see it for myself!

VALerie BROMANN

Founder & Head Road Tripper

Val is the founder and head road tripper at Silly America. Having grown up near Berwyn's famed car kabob, The Spindle, and a restaurant with a cow on its roof, her fascination with roadside attractions started early. Today, Val has visited hundreds roadside attractions across the United States and is constantly on the lookout for the next BIG thing!

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.