Wisconsin Oddities

Many unique attractions can be found throughout the state of Wisconsin. A large talking cow, goats on the roof, limburger cheese production, scrap metal gardens and an amazing collection of collections found in The House on the Rock are just a few examples!

Ask anyone where the largest talking cow is located, and some people would guess the "Dairy State", Wisconsin. Well, they would be correct! Chatty Bell, as she is affectionately known, is located in Neillsville, Wisconsin. Her "measurements": 16 ft high at the shoulders, and 20 ft long. She can't be missed! What does this bodacious bovine discuss? Chatty Bell inundates you with information, including statistics about grain consumption and milk production. She talks about the World's Fair. She also explains that the semi-trailer parked next to her transported the world's largest piece of cheese (14 ½ X 6 ½ X 5 ½) to the 1964-1965 World's Fair. She knows you are probably curious about this piece of cheese, so in order to accommodate your interest, a replica of the piece of cheese is now on display in this trailer, and can be viewed through it's glass side panels.

Tired of cutting your grass? Take a hint from the Swedes and get your goat to do it. That's what Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay has done, and it not only works well, but attracts on-lookers all hours of the day and night. A sod roof adorns the log structure that was actually shipped in pieces from Norway. A friend of Al Johnson donated a goat to complete the authentic nature of the building, and the rest is history. At any given time several goats can be seen enjoying a meal of their own on any one of the several structures that are located on the property.

Limburger, anyone? If you are a fan of this decidedly pungent smelling cheese, you'll love this place! Chalet Cheese Co-Op in Monroe is the only location in the country that makes this stuff. The Chalet is definitely a low-tech, non-commercial operation! The store sells several varieties of cheese in addition to it's limburger. While you are there, take a moment to watch the product packaging. Rectangular blocks of cheese are wrapped in layers of parchment paper, waxed paper, and foil- by hand.

Making a silk-purse out of a sow's ear, that's what he is trying to do with this scrap-metal sculpture garden. Giant insects, birds, and the world's largest scrap-metal sculpture are all located at Dr. Evermor's Art Park in Baraboo. The Forevertron, at 400 tons, is Dr. Evermor's vehicle to travel to the heavens, at least as someone in the late 1890's would have imagined. All of his sculptures are constructed using scrap from late 19th century factories. He is often found somewhere on the property still creating.

If you think your mother-in-law's interior decorating leaves a little to be desired, can you imagine what Alex Jordan's family thought? As it stands now, The House on the Rock, which is perched on a 60-foot chimney of rock, is over stimulation, and then some. The 16 building complex takes hours to tour. Don't bother to bring your camera, a photo or two won't do it justice. 250 Dollhouses, an organ with 15 keyboards, over 200 museum sized model ships, and perhaps the most well known feature- the Infinity Room. Walls of glass (3264 windows) provide a spectacular view, and a glass cocktail table offers a view of the forest floor 156 feet below. Visit the website at http://www.thehouseontherock.com for a closer look.

Yes, Wisconsin has it all. Make it your destination soon, you never know what you'll find!