The M in M Schettl Sales stands for Mel. He wasn’t in at the time of our visit but we were given the run of the place by the manager on duty. Mel sells just about anything. These six birds were on trailers and out in the field. Mel sells the trailers and the animals too.
The elephant was one of the 4 Big Things out front. We after this we went into the fenced “park” on the other side of the building. That’s where the flamingo is and many other treasures. If you are in need of a Big Thing I suggest you give Mel a call.
Mel’s Elephant
Packer
Now we’ve been taking these photos for a couple of decades and have not run into an abundance of Big Things like this. It’s like eating all the chocolate you want. Almost an overdose of Big Stuff. Before we finished we had “battle fatigue.” Mel tested our stamina with his assortment. (In fact, I’m feeling fatigue just trying to post all of these.)
Would you like some fries with your hot dog? This group of 4 images were part of the jackpot at Mel Schettl Sales outside Oshkosh, Wisconsin. My, how many big things. It was nearly overwhelming for Big Thingologists like Deb and me. We left feeling battle fatigue. I didn’t even get a image of the Jolly Green Giant you see in the background. After leaving Mel’s I had a taste for pizza. Vegetarian by the way. Where does your favorite pizza come from? I grew up in Detroit, down the street from Shields Bar which later became famous for the deep dish type pizza. My good friend Frank Parachetti was one of the pizza makers at Buddy’s which had the same style. Buddy’s bar was an old style Italian bar with a bocci court on the side of the building.
We were on Route 21 from Oshkosh to spend the night at the Wisconsin Dells. As I’ve said some of the best Big Things are found unexpectedly as was the case with this Big Steer near Wautoma. He stands out front of the Silvercryst Steakhouse and Motel located on Silver Lake. Looks like a small resort town with good eats. I might vacation there sometime.
Surprise Steer
On our way to the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin we were on a secondary road and noted these birds in a field. We made a quick U-turn and climbed out into a field to get these photos. This is what farmers must do to pass time during the winter when they have time on their hands.
Wisconsin Field Birds
Wisconsin Field Birds
Geppetto’s Big Clock
This Big Ice Cream carton is part of an ensemble. Together with a Big Cow (for the story on getting this image see info on my Big Cows page) which is part of a traveling promotional event sponsored by Turkey Hill Dairy. Mounted on a trailer along with the cow it travels around the country. Thanks, Karen!
Turkey Hill Ice Cream
This was the 2nd image taken in Manitowoc, Wisconsin after taking the ferry across Lake Michigan. The Cedar Crest cow in front of the dairy was the first. This in questionable as a Big Thing but since I’ve downed a few Bud’s in my time and I thought only fitting to add to the site.
Big Buds
We took the ferry across Lake Michigan from Ludington, MI to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. If you didn’t know, there are LOTS of Big Things in Wisconsin. In Manitowoc, the Cedar Crest Cow is out in front of the dairy. You can stop in the company store and have a great ice cream there. We passed on that, but right across the street is the cheese store. Lot’s of varieties, we even bought a cheese in the shape of a cow! The man in the store was very helpful with samples of cheeses and gave tips on the local sites as well.
Cedar Crest Cow
I got a call while I was having lunch with the Chief Photographer at the Jersey Cafe, a haven for former South Jersey residents. It seems the #1 fan spotted another “Mobile Big Thing.” This large cow and Ice Cream Carton in front of the Kroger. She dropped everything and went up to the man handing out samples to find out how long he was going to be there and where he was going to be next. As you may recall #1 spotted the Kissmobile, the other “Mobile Big Thing.” Now with those two and the Weinermobile it becomes a sub-class along with Stationary and Inflatables. Breaking new ground, thanks Karen!
Karen’s Cow
I have lots of cows on this site, not nearly as many bulls. Here’s a good looking one. He is in a little park in the Village of Gilboa, (est.1837) OH. The park is on the corner of US-224 and Pearl. I wish we had more time to explore Gilboa, anytime a village have been around as this one has, it must have something pretty substantial to it. Maybe next time.
Village of Gilboa Bull
Town & Country Furniture
I was searching for a Big Campbell’s Soup Can alongside the Maumee River outside Napoleon, Ohio. We spotted the can seen here on the left and thought, “Hm, not so big, but still bigger than life.” So we went to get the image. The gate to the parking lot next to the guard’s station was open. so we drove through without stopping. Using a little hustle we got this image and were returning to the car when the security officer arrived and informed us that just because the gate was up, we couldn’t simply drive through. After explaining the Mission, he said we were looking for the water tower just past the building. This is the image seen on the right.
Campbell’s Soup Big
Ohio Campbell’s Soup Bigger
These Big Loaves in Urbana, Ohio (in Champaign county by the way) were a kind of disappointment. The image seen on the left is near the entrance to the American Pan company and is in pretty good shape. The image seen on the right is in the rear of the building and is not really out for public consumption. Urbana was a great find, nice downtown and home to Urbana University. There was supposed to be a Johnny Appleseed Museum but we couldn’t find it. We did find the Mumford’s Potato Chip store on north Main Street and bought two 2 pound boxes of kettle chips, yum. Stop in if you are passing through.
Urbana Ohio Bread Rear
Urbana Ohio Bread Front
Derringer’s Lumberjack
The Baltimore Harbor Visitors Center is home to this big poodle. I don’t know the story behind it (I think it was used in some type of parade) but we spotted it when visiting. Actually we were just going through the visitor motions in order to have crab cakes at Phillips for lunch. What we do for good seafood when you live in the middle of the country.
Baltimore Harbor Poodle
National’s Cap
I-465 Wrench