BIG

The highlight planned when we crossed into Illinois was a trip to Casey. To fortify ourselves and get an early start we found a diner in Terre Haute that serves breakfast early. If you are ever in Terre Haute, go to Cackleberries. Named after the old-fashioned term for a chicken egg, this was everything one could want in a diner. Trev had steak and eggs. I had a veggie omelette. Both came with hashbrowns and a choice of pancakes or toast. I actually took a box to go for a second-breakfast later. And such good value and great service.

But the article title “BIG” is not in reference to our breakfast, which it was. Oh no. Casey is a small town with a remarkable theme: big things small town.com. The funny thing is that when we started planning this trip, we discovered the world’s largest ball of twine is in Cawker City, Kansas. That just happens to be not too far off the route we are taking as we head into Colorado. So I’ve been babbling about getting to see the world’s biggest something for months to friends, only to stumble into the mother lode of that in Casey.

The first one we found on the way into town is the pitchfork. Located near a charming farm house and their restaurant venture, it was the first to put a huge grin on our faces. We knew this was going to be good. And what didn’t hit me at the first one, but gradually became apparent, is that this was a well coordinated campaign not just to draw tourists to town but for each business to celebrate what makes them tick or what they produce. Pitchfork = farming. Wink wink, nudge nudge. Get it.

Many of the other, hmm, what do I call them, larger-than-life items, are kind of clustered within walking distance of the main drive. Once we parked the car and started walking, they were everywhere. Two things that seem fair to share. 1) It had crossed our mind this could be cheesy in a not so good way. That thought couldn’t be farther from the truth. The objects, the town, and the few people we did run into on a quiet, lazy, early Sunday morning were as authentic and charming as could be. 2) Coming from a small town where some businesses seem to last a summer season at best, I was impressed that things like the big pig and barber pole, which no doubt took significant energy, creativity, and cost, continue to shine outside a butcher shop (sorry, pigs) and a hair salon/barber shop.

Some of the big or world’s largest objects (as there is clearly a distinction per Guinness) were inside businesses and shops. I don’t begrudge them that as certainly it is a draw, enticing people in and reduces maintenance related to being exposed to year-round elements. So we missed out on seeing a big rocking horse, the World’s Largest dutch shoes, World’s largest Pac-Man, and a few more things. Sadly the visitor center was closed as it was Sunday morning so we didn’t get to pick up a map. Nevertheless, it isn’t hard to wander and find quite a few. We even found the large taco and truck key by happy accident of them being near the public facilities.

I have to add that as I was taking a photo of the large mousetrap, a very kind old timer walked up and explained it “sort of” worked and he’d be happy to take our picture in it. Not only did he do that, but we stood and had a lovely chat with this Casey native. He told us several stories about town, including one where he and his buddies were across from the bank one evening and the Casey National Bank alarm went off. They observed quite a commotion as lots of authorities gathered outside only to learn that it was merely a required periodic test. He was a great ambassador for town, encouraging us to stay later in the morning to head over to the Popcorn Festival happening over the weekend. Sadly we had a schedule to keep and also sadly we missed out on the blackberry pie a la mode he had at the festival two days running.