The World's Largest Rocking Chair

8.05.2013



Last Thursday, Jordan and I drove 9.5 hours to Springfield, Illinois, for my best friend's wedding. And it was, in fact, my best friend's wedding except for the fact that I wasn't in love with the groom and I'm not Julia Roberts.


Just wanted to clear that up.

So anyway, on the way to Springfield, we were moving along I-44 (because that's the only road you take from OKC to IL; nothing kills a road trip high more than the GPS telling you to turn in 600 miles), and what did we see but a billboard advertising a tourist stop:

WORLD'S LARGEST ROCKING CHAIR

If you're a red-blooded American awesome person, you would of course respond with a loud screech and a shout: "We have to stop there!" 

And Jordan rolled his eyes at me because he's not a red-blooded American awesome person. Clearly.

After seeing the billboard we had at least 10 miles to discuss the greatest we were about to witness, and I started to get suspicious. I felt like "world's largest" seemed a bit dramatic. Surely if it was actually the largest, it would just say "America's." World's just seemed too big, like they were trying to make up for the non largeness. It's like the World Series. Um, hello. It's not the world. It's America. Although I agree that "America Series" doesn't sound quite so exciting.

Also, another concern: why would the world's largest rocking chair be in the middle of Missouri? (No offense Missouri folk, but you know what I mean.)

I decided I would be happy if it was at least taller than a Cracker Barrel rocking chair. I pictured myself sitting on a rocking chair throne of awesome while eating one of those delicious peppermint sticks they sell at Cracker Barrel.

I had just made my declaration that as long as it was slightly larger than a regular rocking chair I would be happy, when we saw this:

The world's freaking largest rocking chair. And I thought I was going to be able to sit in it! Well played, Route 66, well played. That's when I learned to never doubt the billboard.

So there you have it. The world's largest rocking chair is located in Cuba, Missouri, along I-44 and Route 66. I dare you to show me a larger rocking chair.

Do you like to stop at random tourist attractions or do you keep on driving by? Have you ever stopped to see the world's largest rocking chair? I'm SO adding this to my reverse bucket list, by the way.
Brandi said...

I would love to go across country stopping and photographing places like this. But I'd be very disappointed in not getting up on the rocker. There needs to be a ladder--or a couple flights of stairs?! Both those wedding dresses are awesome! Hope you had a great time!

Anonymous said...

Have you ever been to Wall Drug in South Dakota? If you like this, you'll LOVE Wall Drug. It's made specifically for red-blooded American awesome people. :) ~Lauren

Ashley said...

I always travel with my family, so we always pass by attractions like this. If it were up to me, we would definitely stop. I seriously need to marry an easygoing man because I think have "travel ADD."

Holly @ Hello Audrey Ruth said...

My dad has only been to Oklahoma twice to visit and he has stopped at the Worlds Largest Rocking Chair both times - he lives for that kind of stuff. He also loves stopping at exit 118 for Redmon's fudge.

Helene in Between said...

haha that chair is awesome! and you and the bride look awesome!!

Kate said...

LMAO! I love it!

Hmmm, I once stopped at a roadside museum of broken glass and cement statues...on the way back from visiting the freshwater fishing hall of fame in Hayward Wisconsin. So I guess that was a road trip TO a random tourist attraction (for a wedding--my friend got married in the mouth of the WORLD'S LARGEST fibreglass MUSKIE!!) with a side trip to another random tourist attraction thrown in. :)

Life of a Little Songbird said...

Holy crap! Thats huge! That would be awesome if you could actually climb up on it and sit in it!

TheLane said...

looks so fun!!!
we just visited route 66 in NM- there was so much to see! next stop on route 66 - TULSA!

Awesome Amy said...

You look fabulous! :)

And my husband is the same way.. super bor-ing.

But he is starting to come around. We went to the Jolly Green Giant a couple years ago - super fun!

Kate said...

I LOVE stopping at small roadside attractions.
I made my parents stop at The Big Well in Kansas just so I could say I'd been. They thought I was being ridiculous, but I really wanted to go!

And I saw a few comments above me mention Wall Drug. After seeing 3598234 road signs for it, I was pretty disappointed when I finally got there. :P

Katie said...

holy cow! that is HUGE!!!

Charity said...

That is so huge. I know my husband would have tried to get up in the seat. I would have totally been okay with standing below. My Best Friend's Wedding is one of my favorite movies, I absolutely adore everything Julia Roberts.

Allison said...

I totally would have stopped! This is what road trips are made of. My cheesiest claims to fame so far are Wall Drug (and I see I'm not the only one...) and The Corn Palace. The world's ONLY corn palace.

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

Your dress is gorgeous!!!

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