Arrowhead Lake Big Native American

On the way out of the Arrowhead Lake Community where Ben and Annie purchased their Lake House we stopped by the Community Club House and they gave me a tour. Really nice and lots of room for all the activities available. In the lobby area I had to get this image of the Big Native American.

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Arrowhead Lake Big Native American

Motor Time Native American

After eating lunch at a Gold Star Chili restaurant we followed Vine down to Motor Time Auto Sales hoping to get an image of this Big Indian (Native American, First People) sign out front. Unfortunately it wasn’t a great shot due to the scaffolding. However on the bright side, at least some care is being taken for his well being.

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Motor Time Native American

Erwin High School Mascot

In front of Clyde A. Erwin High School you can see Chief Willy. The sports teams are nicknamed the Warriors and I suspect the Chief is their mascot. (BTW, Clyde A. Erwin was the North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1934 to 1952.) If you look closely you can see that I am holding an umbrella, it was raining pretty good, but that’s OK, all part of the Big Thing experience. The rain held off all day while we were at Biltmore. It rained for the next 90 minutes until we got back to the cabin in Gatlinburg. Good timing!

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Erwin High School Mascot

 

Chief Pontiac

If you only visit the Smokies once, be sure to leave a day to visit the Biltmore in Asheville. It’s the largest personal residence in the US. Quite a place. However I was more intesested in getting some Big Pictures. Here is Chief Pontiac who stands in front of Harry’s Cadillac-GMC located at the corner of Patton and Florida behnd the Sav-mor. They used to sell Pontiac brand cars there until GM discontinued the line. Maybe he should now be called Chief GMC?

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Chief Pontiac

Cody Trading Post

Here’s a bit of serendipity — we stopped for the night in Fort Platte, Nebraska and before dinner stopped, for some reason, at the Fort Cody Trading Post near our motel. Surprisingly it was more than a “cheap gift shop.” In addition to the expected shot glasses, key-chains, stuffed animals, they have a Buffalo Bill Wild West Miniature Show that is fascinating. The show, made by Ernie and Virginia Palmquist, took 12 years to carve and contains over 20,000 hand carved pieces….many animated! At any rate while browsing I noted a framed Smithsonian magazine with a Native American Muffler Man featured. When I asked where this big fellow was I was told he was right out back! Thanks all at the Fort Cody Trading Post, you made my day.

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Cody Trading Post

Curtis Orchard Archer

On the way to Springfield, Illinois we stopped at Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch in Champaign, Illinois. They’re open from July thru mid-December. You can pick your own apples and pumpkins here. They have 29 varieties of apples available to pick as well as events for the entire family. Oh, by the way they have this copper Indian Chief Kesis, of the Kickapoo tribe of eastern Illinois.

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Curtis Orchard Archer

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Toto Native American

It was really bugging me since I knew I had this image somewhere but not where I was looking – finally I found it. I liked this big guy a lot. He is in front of Richard’s Store next to the Toto Cafe in downtown Toto, Indiana. The Cafe looks like a great place to eat. Lot’s of people going in and out. It wasn’t lunch time yet, more like a late breakfast since Toto is in the Central Time Zone.

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Toto Native American

Minneapolis Native Americans

Now I’ve been going to Minneapolis on a regular basis. At least once a month for the past 3 years. I’ve had my eye on this pair of Big Guys for a couple of years but never got the chance to grab the photos. Now I’ve got ’em. Outside the Thunderbird Motel off I-494. It was February, Minneapolis, and (need I say) COLD. Mark was quite the trooper however and trudged through the snow in his dress shoes to take this photo. Thanks a lot pal.

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Minneapolis Native American

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Minneapolis Native American