Blue Whale

A giant, friendly whale in the middle of a landlocked state is, in and of itself, odd. But the story of the ocean titan dipping halfway into a pond makes it even more strange and wonderful. Built as a gift from husband to wife, the whale became the centerpiece of a larger roadside attraction, The Animal Reptile Kingdom (A.R.K.), which was built to resemble Noah's Ark. As the couple grew old, the attraction was abandoned, with the ark falling into disrepair. But the whale remains vibrant. Yes, this sounds like the setup for a Scooby-Doo mystery—as abandoned amusement areas are wont to—but it's actually a very charming site to see along Route 66, where its presence has perplexed drivers for four decades. —AK