Weird Stuff Along Georgia’s Highways

When the creators of Stranger Things sent its production crew out to scout shooting locations for the Netflix sci-fi/horror series, we’re sure they took one step into Georgia and said, “Yep! This is the place!” However, if you’re like us and you like your road trips to be a little … different, then yep! Georgia’s the place for you, too. Here are a few reasons why:

Expedition: BIGFOOT! The Sasquatch Museum / Cherry Log, GA

Perhaps the cousin of neighboring Florida’s Skunk Ape, the elusive Bigfoot is said to roam around this part of northern Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest, and the 4,000-square-foot Sasquatch Museum claims to have genuine evidence to prove it.

 

Loudermilk Boarding House & Everything Elvis Museum / Cornelia, GA

Not only has Bigfoot been spotted in north Georgia, but a little over an hour-and-a-half east of The Sasquatch Museum in Cornelia, people have seen Elvis, too. Of course, they’ve spotted “The King” at the Loudermilk Boarding House & Everything Elvis Museum, home to over 30,000 Elvis artifacts owned by collector and regophile Joni Mabe. Her most prized possession? A wart once removed from Elvis’ wrist. If you’d like the chance to see Elvis, too, then don’t miss the 17^th Annual Big E Festival held this year August 6 to 8, and sponsored by the one and only Joni Mabe “The Elvis Babe” herself.

Stuckie / Waycross, GA

We have to say, we were first intrigued by the name, and it had us wondering who this other famous “Stuckie” from Georgia could possibly be. Turns out, this Stuckie’s story is not quite as happy as the one of our founder and purveyor of the world famous Pecan Log Roll (though this one does involve a log of another sort). You see, the Stuckie in this story is actually a mummified dog that apparently got stuck (hence, its name) in a hollowed-out chestnut tree while chasing a squirrel. The poor pup was found some years later by loggers who were clearing some local land. They took the log with the petrified pooch to Southern Forest World, where it’s still stuck today.

Doll’s Head Trail /Atlanta, GA

Scattered about this eerily unique trail located next to Constitution Lake are doll parts and other types of salvaged garbage. Doll’s Head Trail was created by a local carpenter by the name of Joel Slaton after he encouraged visitors to find trash along the path and contribute what they found. Bring a friend for emotional support: The doll heads are downright creepy.

Barbie Beach / Senoia, GA

Located about 40 miles south of Doll’s Head Trail is the thankfully not-quite-as-eerie “lawn art” of Steve and Lynda Quick, known as Barbie Beach. In 2005, the Quicks started displaying their Barbie dolls and G.I. Joe action figures by posing them in different scenes in the front yard of their Senoia, GA home. Soon, word got out and people started coming in droves — especially after a short documentary about Barbie Beach was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Barbie Beach is free, and the Quicks change their display regularly.

Tree Spirits / St. Simons Island, GA

As if the creepy dolls weren’t enough, an artist by the name of Keith Jennings started carving what some call “whimsical” — but we call “downright scary” — death masks into trees on St. Simons Island in the 1980s. What makes them even less “whimsical” is the fact that the 20+ faces Mr. Jennings took the time to carve over a number of years were inspired by sailors who were lost at sea. Ask the folks at the St. Simon’s Island Visitors Center where you can find them — preferably during the day!

U.S. National Tick Collection / Statesboro, Georgia

If you’re traveling with pets, you might want to leave them back at the hotel for this one. On the campus of Georgia Southern University, you’ll find a collection of over one million ticks — the world’s largest. So, how does one go about collecting a million ticks? Well, they started out as a loan from the Smithsonian Institute, who acquired them from a lab in Montana. As if that explains anything. Anyway, if you have a tick-interest, plan your road-trip itinerary now, as time is “ticking.” (Sorry.) But seriously, the collection is only open for one hour two days a week, and it’s by appointment. No dogs allowed, of course.

We told you that there were all kinds of strange goings on in the Empire State of the South — and we know we’ve only just scratched the surface of Georgia’s weird roadside attractions. Let us know if we missed anything, and we’ll try to add it to our next list of the strangest things we’ve found in the Peach State.

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In the meantime, something else that you can find all over Georgia is a Stuckey’s location; after all, Georgia is home to America’s favorite roadside stop. So, while you’re driving around our lovely state, stop in the nearest Stuckey’s today and browse our selection of fine pecan candies and travel souvenirs.  And don’t forget to grab some of our world-famous Stuckey Pecan Log Rolls and Stuckey’s branded t-shirts and caps for the folks back home.

Forget something? Don’t worry! You can get all of your favorite Stuckey’s merchandise online and have it delivered straight to your front door at stuckeys.com.

Stuckey’s – We’re Making Road Trips Fun Again!