Next to the Big Valvoline Guy was another inflatable – this dog. This made it a two-fer! When we were getting this image a nice young man working at the Valvoline Instant Oil Change business came out and offered to take our photo together. I appreciated the offer.
Valvoline Big Dog
While on our way to the Greek Festival at St. Sophia Church in Norristown we were driving on Ridge Pike and spotted this Big Valvoline Guy. I whipped into the parking lot to grab this image. I always like to get these unplanned shots!
Valvoline Big Guy
On our way to Boyertown, PA to visit a gift shop for a little Christmas shopping and we spotted this Big Boot. I thought it was a permanent Big Boot but as we got closer it turned out to be an inflatable. A little disappointed but it was one of the better inflatables I’ve seen. We didn’t stop to see Santa but we did discover the Jukebox Restaurant in Boyertown. 7 kinds of soup (I had Crab Bisque,) great place, we need to go back.
Boyertown Boot
On our way to look for a little pine tree for the front of the house we stopped by Bustards Christmas Trees close to home to see what they have to offer. Since we are fairly new in the area we had not shopped at Bustards before. After pulling in I saw this inflatable that I know I had to get. Bustards is a very friendly place and their motto “Real Trees make Scents” appeals to me.
Bustards Snowman
We were looking for a place to eat and ran across a shopping center in Middletown, DE that looked like it would have a restaurant or two so we pulled in. While driving through the center we spotted this inflatable mattress. However, we didn’t find a place to eat.
Big Mattress
We stopped in Friday night at a “pop-up pub” in downtown Lansdale with Andy, Lindsey and Willa. This is Willa’s first Big Thing photo with Grandpa. Both of us were pretty excited (well, maybe one of us was more excited!)
Willa’s 1st Big Thing photo
Pennsylvania Midas Hand
Kokomo Judge
Ran across this Big Rubber Duck at the Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market advertising the Rubber Duck race in the canal. This is the same canal the Colt’s Pro-Bowl punter, Pat McAfee jumped into late one night a few years ago. Caused quite a stir at the time.
Broad Ripple Rubber Duck
Midas Hand
Blue Crew Colt
The 4th of July Festival in Carmel is a lot of fun and offers entertainment throughout the day following the end of the parade. There are multiple performance stages, food booths and vendor and information booths. This Big Gecko was outside the GEICO booth so naturally I had to grab a shot. Notice the Red, White and Brew T-shirt.
Carmel Geiko
Fishers Colt
Lucas Oil Field Colt
Outside the T&H Sweeper Company branch on Indiana SR-9 in Anderson I spotted this Big Vacuum. We were on our way to Mounds State Park. Indiana has some very nice state parks and we have started to visit them. Mounds web site describes it best stating it “features 10 unique “earthworks” built by a group of prehistoric Indians known as the Adena-Hopewell people. The largest earthwork, the “Great Mound”, is believed to have been constructed around 160 B.C. Archaeological surveys seem to indicate it was used as a gathering place for religious ceremonies.” We enjoyed our time in the park, it’s nice that it is so close to home.
Anderson Vacuum Cleaner
Keystone Inflatable
Riley Hospital Fundraiser
Riley Hospital Fundraiser
Latitude 39 is a new Family Entertainment Center that recently opened near our house. It bills itself as a Premier Entertainment Center. They offer 70,000 sq. ft. of entertainment: a sports theater, luxury bowling, game room, lots of TV and dining. Sounds like an exciting place. Prior to opening they were looking for new hires to satisfy all their guests and used this inflatable dragon to catch their eye. The Chief Photographer spotted this guy and we were able to grab this image.
Latitude 13 Dragon
Fisher’s Freedom Festival
In Grinnell, Iowa we visited the Merchant National Bank on Main Street. This bank was designed by Louis Sullivan, a prominent mid-West architect and mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright and often called “The Father of the Skyscraper.” He designed many famous buildings from Chicago skyscrapers to many mid-West banks. This bank is a very good place to visit, they have a docent in place. At any rate, enough history, this duck was used to promote the Duck Daze and Derby fundraiser to support youth in Powershiek County. I bought a duck and entered but haven’t heard if I won.
Duck Daze Duck
Redfish Charlie’s Monster