(female announcer) PRODUCTION COSTS FOR RARE VISIONS AND ROADSIDE REVELATIONS HAVE PAID FOR IN PART BY SPRINT: COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY, CONNECTING YOU TO THE WORLD.

(man) ♪ WELCOME TO A SHOW ABOUT THINGS YOU CAN SEE ♪ ♪ WITHOUT GOING FAR, AND A LOT OF THEM ARE FREE.

♪ ♪ IF YOU THOUGHT THERE WAS NOTHING ♪ ♪ IN THE OLD HEARTLAND, ♪ ♪ YOU OUGHT TO HIT THE BLACKTOP ♪ ♪ WITH THESE FOOLS IN A VAN.

♪ ♪ LOOK OUT, THEY'RE DRIVING HARD, ♪ ♪ CHECKING OUT ART IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD.

♪ ♪ RANDY DOES THE STEERING SO HE WON'T HURL.

♪ ♪ MIKE'S GOT THE MAP, SUCH A MAN OF THE WORLD.

♪ ♪ THAT'S DON WITH THE CAMERA, ♪ ♪ KIND OF HEAVY ON HIS SHOULDER.

♪ ♪ AND THAT GIANT BALL OF TAPE, IT'S A WORLD RECORD HOLDER.

♪ ♪ LOOK OUT, THEY'RE DRIVING HARD, ♪ ♪ CHECKING OUT ART IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD.

♪ ♪ LOOK OUT, THEY'RE DRIVING HARD, ♪ ♪ CHECKING OUT THE WORLD IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD, ♪ ♪ CHECKING OUT THE WORLD IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD.

♪ ♪ (Don) DEAR TV MAILBAG, WHY WOULD YOU START TAKING PICTURES JUST WHEN THE SUN IS ABOUT TO GO DOWN?

HI, DON THE CAMERA GUY HERE.

AND ACCORDING TO THESE PRODUCERS WITH WHOM I TRAVEL, THE ANSWER HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BEAUTY OF TEXAS SUNSETS AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH SOMETHING AWESOME DOWN IN AUSTIN.

(man) HELLO.

(woman) HI.

IS THIS YOUR HOUSE?

YES.

AWESOME.

THANK YOU; CAN I SIT DOWN HERE?

(Don) WELL, THIS IS AUSTIN, AND YOU HEARD THE LADY.

WHATEVER IT IS, I'M MINGLING IN THE MIDST OF IT WITH A MOST CONVIVIAL BUNCH.

AND I BELIEVE I HAVE A PLAN.

IF IT'S ALL RIGHT WITH THOSE TV WEASELS, I'M GONNA PUT THIS THING DOWN, GRAB A COLD ONE, AND RESUME THE PICTURE TAKING TOMORROW.

[cow mooing] AS YOU CAN SEE MUCH MORE CLEARLY NOW, MARINA DRIVE HERE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN COULD HARDLY BE MORE SERENE ON A SUNDAY MORNING.

THE BAND IS GONE AND SO ARE THE REVELLERS, BUT THOSE TOWERING TIERS OF TRASH IN VINCE HANNEMAN'S BACKYARD HAVE DEFINITELY NOT MOVED AN INCH.

IT'S HARD TO SAY WHICH IS MORE AMAZING, THAT VINCE BUILT ALL THIS WITHOUT ANY TRAINING IN ART OR ARCHITECTURE OR THAT THE HOUSE HE BUILT IT BEHIND IS A RENTAL.

WHEN DID YOU START THIS THING?

EIGHT YEARS AGO-- EIGHT YEARS.

I STARTED DOWN HERE IN THE CORNER, WHERE NOBODY COULD SEE WHAT I WAS DOING.

AND THEN IT JUST KEPT GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BIGGER, AND I KEPT GETTING MORE STUFF AND MORE STUFF, AND-- (Randy) WHERE DID YOU GET THE STUFF?

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

(Vince) FIRST I STARTED-- THERE WAS SOME JUNK IN THE YARD, AND THEN I-- I'VE ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO EXPLORE CREEKS AND WHATNOT, SO I JUST JUMPED THE FENCE AND HEADED DOWN THE CREEK HERE.

AND SO I STARTED COLLECTING AND DIVING IN DUMPSTERS AND STUFF.

THEN I HAD A JOB AT THE LANDFILL FOR A YEAR.

I MANAGED THE RECYCLING CENTER AT THE LANDFILL.

AND OUR DEAL WAS-- WE DIDN'T HAVE A SALARY.

EVERYTHING THAT CAME IN, WE SOLD, AND I SPLIT IT-- WE JUST SPLIT IT BETWEEN ME AND MY PARTNERS.

EVERYTHING THAT CAME IN, ALL THE BULKY TRASH THAT THE CITY COLLECTS, EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY BROUGHT US WAS MINE.

(Randy) YOU HAVE TO PINCH YOURSELF IN THE MORNING-- IT WAS.

I WOULD DRIVE TO WORK AND GO, "I'M SO LUCKY.

I'M SO LUCKY."

(Randy) IT'S NOT BUILT ON CONCRETE OR ANYTHING, RIGHT?

IT'S LIKE JUNK UNDERNEATH?

(Vince) IT'S JUNK UNDERNEATH, RIGHT.

BUT THAT'S THE WAY IT STARTS IS LOOSE AND KIND OF ALMOST EMBARRASSING.

I DON'T KNOW.

I GO THROUGH THE EMBARRASSING STAGE.

I DON'T WANT EVERYBODY TO SEE.

IT'S WHEN IT'S REALLY PLACED THERE AND JUST BARELY-- AND THEN QUICKLY, I JUST ADD MORE STUFF AND WIRE IT UP UNTIL IT GETS, YOU KNOW-- EVERYBODY'S LIKE, "WOW, THAT'S SOLID."

PEOPLE GIVE ME THEIR SPECIAL STUFF, AND THEY'RE LIKE, "NOW, MAKE SURE IT'S IN A SPECIAL SPOT."

BUT I CAN'T GUARANTEE IT'S NOT GOING TO GET COVERED UP.

(Randy) IS IT HARD TO GET THE CURVE WITH JUNK, WHICH DOESN'T-- BY IT'S NATURE-- NOT TOO MUCH; NOT REALLY.

NOT REALLY.

YOU FIND PLENTY OF CURVED STUFF, LIKE-- LIKE THAT MAIN PIPE IN THERE.

THAT WAS BENT LIKE THAT ALREADY.

(Randy) ARE THERE NAMES FOR THE INDIVIDUAL ROOMS?

(Vince) WELL, I MEAN, KIND OF.

THAT'S THE CHOIR LOFT AND THE THRONE ROOM.

I GUESS I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO CALL THIS ROOM.

YEAH, THIS IS THE PULPIT UP HERE.

THIS IS WHERE YOU GET TO PREACH FROM--OR THE SOLO SINGER.

WELL, YOU KNOW, A CATHEDRAL IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT, RIGHT, YOUR VIEW.

IT'S LIKE A BIBLE IN STONE, BASICALLY.

THAT'S WHAT MOST RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS ARE.

THEY'RE KIND OF-- YOU KNOW, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THEM AND-- AND I THINK THIS KIND OF DOES THE SAME THING.

I COME IN HERE, AND I EAVESDROP ON PEOPLE.

IT'S LIKE THE SCULPTURE'S TALKING TO THEM.

I DON'T HAVE TO SAY A THING.

THEY GET EVERYTHING RIGHT OUT OF IT, YOU KNOW?

I KEEP REACHING THESE POINTS OF WHEN IT GETS BIGGER, THAT I GET SCARED AND I THINK, "UH-OH, NOW WHAT HAVE I DONE?

I'M REALLY COMMITTED NOW," YOU KNOW?

(Mike) LIKE THERE'S ANY TURNING BACK AT THIS POINT?

I KNOW; ISN'T THAT STUPID?

I ALSO WORRY ABOUT IT LOOKING JUNKY.

I'M LIKE, "IT DOESN'T LOOK JUNKY, DOES IT?"

I WONDER HOW MUCH IT IS WORTH IN SCRAP.

I'M JUST CURIOUS, YOU KNOW?

(Mike) SO HOW DO YOU MAKE MONEY OFF-- OFF A THING LIKE THIS?

(Vince) I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPHER WHO'S DOING PHOTOS FOR ME.

I'VE BEEN SELLING THE POSTCARDS, AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO SELL THE PHOTOS.

(Randy) WILL IT BE FINISHED?

YEAH, IT WILL.

IT'S GOING TO BE FINISHED BEFORE 2000, GUARANTEED.

YEAH, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR'S PARTY HERE, 1999.

THAT'S THE MOST FUN OF THIS, IS ALL THE PEOPLE I GET TO MEET.

IF IT WERE JUST MINE AND IT WAS JUST IN THE BACKYARD AND NOBODY EVER GOT TO SAW IT--SEE IT, IT'D BE, YOU KNOW, NICE BUT KIND OF BORING.

IT'S ALL THE PEOPLE THAT COME OVER, AND THEY'RE LIKE, "WOW, COOL."

AND THEY GET INSPIRED.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT IT.

I DID THIS APPLICATION TO DO THIS IN GERMANY, YOU KNOW?

HOW DIFFERENT WOULD THE JUNK BE?

IT COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE THE SAME.

(Mike) PLUS, THE GERMANS ARE SO FASTIDIOUS, THEY NEVER THROW ANYTHING AWAY.

THAT'S THE OTHER THING I WONDERED ABOUT; WOULD THEY ALLOW ME TO DIVE IN THE DUMPSTER, YOU KNOW?

WOULD THERE BE THE WHOLE GESTAPO, THE GARBAGE GESTAPO THERE, YOU KNOW?

[with German accent] "GET OUT OF OUR DUMPSTER."

(Don) STATISTICALLY SPEAKING, WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR GENERATING THIS MUCH JUNK IN A LIFETIME, BUT ONLY A VERY FEW WILL PUT IT TO SUCH GOOD USE AND KEEP THE NEIGHBORS HAPPY TOO.

THEN AGAIN, AUSTIN DOES HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF MAKING THE UNUSUAL UNUSUALLY WELCOME, A PLACE WHERE ARMADILLOS AND ARTISTES AND THE THINGS THEY CREATE ARE PRETTY MUCH PART OF THE LANDSCAPE.

(Randy) WO W, IT'S EVEN GOT A WOK AN D EVERYTHING.

(Don) CLEARLY VINCE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHOSE MUSE SAYS TO REUSE.

EVEN SOME OF AUSTIN'S EATERIES KNOW A GOOD THING WHEN THEY SEE IT, LIKE CHUY'S.

HOW CAN YOU PASS UP A PLACE WHERE TEX AND MEX MEET SO HAPPILY IN THE SHADOW OF AN ELVIS SHRINE AND A BIG BALL OF VIDEO TAPE CAN STILL GET THE KIND OF SERVICE IT DESERVES?

DON'T FORGET THIS IS THE STATE CAPITOL, AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS: A GREAT, BIG LAWN THAT'S PERFECT FOR PLAYING CATCH.

NOTE THAT I HAVE DONATED MY OWN PERSONAL GEAR TO OUR SPECIAL GUEST INFIELDER.

OKAY.

GOD, GET THE CAMERAMAN.

(Don) VINCE HAS EVEN BEEN ON BIG NETWORK SHOWS, BUT WE WERE THE FIRST TO TAKE HIM OUT FOR LUNCH AND GROUNDERS.

(Randy) WE THINK IF EVERY TV CREW STOPPED TO PLAY A LITTLE CATCH, THE NEWS WOULD BE A LOT HAPPIER.

(Don) SINCE HE WAS STARTING A NEW JOB THIS VERY AFTERNOON, WE HUSTLED HIM HOME AND HIT THE HIGHWAY READY TO BUZZ ACROSS TEXAS TOWARDS HUNTSVILLE, DOING LITTLE MORE THAN DIGESTING AND REFLECTING, WHEN, WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT, IN THE TINY TOWN OF CALDWELL, UP POPS A WHOLE YARD OF UNEXPECTED SCULPTURE.

AND UNLESS I MISS MY GUESS, THAT WOULD BE THE UNEXPECTED SCULPTOR.

WELL, I'M FIBERGLASSING A PIECE OF SCULPTURE THAT HAS GONE SOUTH ON ME.

(Don) TURNS OUT IT'S BEEN SEVERAL DECADES SINCE DR. JOE STARTED ALL THIS TO HELP TAKE HIS MIND OFF THE COUGHS AND CUTS AND BROKEN BONES THAT DOCTORS SEE SO MUCH OF.

LIKE OTHER GRASSROOTS OR VISIONARY ARTISTS, JUST DOING IT HAS BECOME A WAY OF LIFE, AND HE'S MORE THAN HAPPY TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY'RE ALL ABOUT.

ON MOTHER'S DAY, I REALLY THINK THIS IS A GREAT THING TO BE WORKING ON, 'CAUSE SHE IS EVERYBODY'S MOTHER.

AND SHE'S A BIG MOTHER.

THIS ONE IS A TONGUE-IN-CHEEK EXPLANATION OF ANGELS.

I SAY, "IF ANGELS ARE GONNA FLY, THEY GOTTA HAVE LANDING GEARS."

YOU NOTICE HOW NICE AND SMOOTH THE WELDS ARE HERE?

(Mike) YEAH.

THIS IS THE TECHNICAL PART OF OUR AGE, THIS.

THIS IS OUR EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

THE WINGS OF THIS BIRD ARE IN NONFLIGHT POSITION.

ONE'S UP, AND ONE'S DOWN.

YOU DON'T SEE BIRDS THAT DO THAT.

NO.

BIRDS ARE LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW, LIFTING THE AIR UNDERNEATH THEIR WINGS.

THEY DON'T DO IT THIS WAY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS FACE, HE'S GOT THAT EXPRESSION, "I GOT IT MADE."

WELL, HE DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING MADE, LIKE ALL OF US.

THIS THING RIGHT HERE HAS A KIND OF A SECTIONAL-- SEXUAL CONNOTATION.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE "V" REPRESENTS A FEMALE.

THE STRAIGHT REPRESENTS A MALE.

THIS PIECE IS KIND OF INTERESTING.

YOU NOTICE THE DISARRANGED BASE THAT IT HAS WITH THE PIECES GOING IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

THIS REPRESENTS THE SUBATOMIC AREA.

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH HEISENBERG'S PRINCIPLE?

(Randy) WE DISCUSS A LOT IN THE VAN WHEN WE'RE TRAVELING.

YOU KNOW, DON CHIMES IN WITH SOME OF HIS THOUGHTS.

WHAT THE-- NO, I GUESS WE'RE NOT.

OH, TONGUE-IN-CHEEK.

OH, PULLING MY LEG.

WELL, OKAY.

IT'S AT LEAST A FOOT LONGER.

NO, WE'RE NOT PULLING YOUR LEG.

WHAT GIVES YOU THAT IDEA?

IT'S AT LEAST A FOOT LONGER.

OOH, GOD.

BUT THERE'S MORE TO BE MADE?

OH, SURE, I HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED YET.

AS I SAY, I HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THE-- I HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THE TOTALLY ORIGINAL STUFF YET.

I'M JUST MIMICKING EVERYBODY ELSE.

NOW, YOU GOTTA WATCH FOR FIRE ANTS, GENTLEMEN.

BOY, INDEED, THEY EVER CRAWL ALL OVER YOU.

YOU SEE THE LITTLE BALL OUT THERE?

THAT IS FREEDOM COMES AT A PRICE.

I CALL IT UL YSSES' TREASURES.

THIS IS THE QUEST.

THE FIRE ANTS LOVE IT TOO.

BE SURE TO WATCH WHERE YOU'RE STANDING, BECAUSE, MAN, I'M TELLING YOU.

(Randy) YOU GOT US NERVOUS NOW.

(Mike) YO U GOT ME SPOOKED.

YOU KNOW A GOOD DOCTOR AR OUND HERE IN CASE WE GET BIT?

NOTHING BUT QUACKS HERE.

(Don) IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT SUBATOMIC PARTICLES AND THE HUMAN CONDITION ARE SO CONVENIENTLY DISPLAYED, AND YOU CAN BET THAT NO SOONER HAD WE LEFT CALDWELL THAN THE TALK IN THE VAN TURNED QUICKLY TOWARDS CHAOS.

DON, YOU GONNA DO THE HEIDELBURG?

UH, I LEARNED THE HEIDELBURG MANEUVER WHEN I WORKED IN A RESTAURANT.

GUY GETS A BURGER LO DGED IN HIS THROAT, HE GETS A HEIDEL FIVE.

[tires screeching] WHOA, WHOA, RANDY, WHICH SIDE OF THE ROAD WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ON HERE?

I THOUGHT THIS WAS A ONE WAY.

(Don) CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD.

I GUESS YOU THOUGHT WRONG.

WELL, WE GOT THAT ON TAPE.

(Don) I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL AN AUSPICIOUS BEGINNING, ESPECIALLY HERE IN HUNTSVILLE, WHERE VIOLATORS MIGHT END UP SWEEPING THE GAZEBO.

SUDDENLY, THE TEXAS PRISON MUSEUM LOOKED LESS INVITING, PERHAPS EVEN PERMANENT.

SO WE SLID ON OUT TO WHAT SHOULD BE A MORE SERENE WAY TO START THE DAY.

(Evelyn) NOW, WE STARTED WITH SEVEN SHRINES.

NOW I HAVE FINISHED MY 67th SHRINE.

(Don) HERE JUST OUTSIDE OF NEW WAVERLY, TEXAS, EVELYN BLAZEK AND HER LATE HUSBAND, GENE, STARTED ALL THIS BOTANIC CULTIVATION AS A WAY OF SAYING THANKS FOR THE CONTINUED GOOD HEALTH OF THEIR ONCE-UNHEALTHY SON.

EVELYN IS, AS YOU CAN SEE, ONE VERY RESOURCEFUL WOMAN.

(Evelyn) YOU CAN SEE THAT'S AN OLD-FASHIONED BATHTUB.

DOESN'T THAT MAKE A GOOD GROTTO?

AND ON EACH SIDE OF IT ARE TWO YELLOW FLOWERS MADE OUT OF OLD WATER HEATERS.

CAN YOU SEE THOSE BACK THERE?

(Mike) WHAT IS THIS?

LOOKS LIKE A WASHING MACHINE STAND.

(Evelyn) YES, THIS IS OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE.

THAT DRILL STEM PIPE IS FROM AN OLD OIL WELL THAT-- SOMEONE THREW THE PIPES AWAY.

ISN'T THAT A BEAUTIFUL SETTING BACK THERE?

CAN YOU SEE THAT?

IT'S OUR LADY OF FATIMA.

THE HIGHWAY--WAS PUTTING DOWN A NEW HIGHWAY.

I CAME HOME FROM SHOPPING, AND I SAID, "WHAT DID THEY DO WITH OUR CULVERTS?"

HE SAID, "HONEY, THEY'RE GONNA GIVE US NEW ONES."

I SAID, "I WANTED THOSE."

HE SAID, "NO, YOU DIDN'T."

SO I GOT IN MY CAR, AND I FOUND THAT MAN.

I SAID, "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE CULVERTS?

AND HE SAID, "LADY, WHY WOULD YOU ASK?

THEY WEIGH 800 POUNDS EACH."

I SAID, "I WANT TO MAKE COLUMNS OUT OF 'EM."

SEE, WE--I BEG PEOPLE NOT TO THROW AWAY THEIR CARPET, BECAUSE IT MAKES SUCH NICE PATHWAYS.

I KNOW I HAVE A GUARDIAN ANGEL, AND I THINK EVERYONE DOES.

SOMEBODY BROUGHT ME THAT ANGEL, AND HER LEFT ARM WAS JUST WIRE, AND SHE ONLY HAD ONE WING, AND IT WAS BROKEN OFF.

IF ANYBODY GIVES ME ANYTHING FOR THE GARDEN, I WILL USE IT SOMEHOW.

SEE, I HAVE 100 WHITE CHAIRS, AND I HAVE THE ALTAR.

ALL I NEED IS THE-- A LITTLE BUILDING-- WELL, NOT A LITTLE BUILDING.

SO YOU GET OTHERS TO KIND OF GIVE YOU SOME OF THE TOOLS YOU NEED AND THINGS LI KE THAT?

ARE YOU A PERSUASIVE PERSON?

WELL, I CAN USUALLY SWEET-TALK PEOPLE INTO MOST THINGS.

[engine running] (Don) YES, SHE CAN, AND THE PROOF IS IN THE MOWER.

IT IS NICE TO SEE THOSE HIGHLY PAID PRODUCERS DOING SOME REAL WORK FOR A CHANGE.

IN FACT, IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE PICTURES, I'D THINK IT WAS JUST A FEVER DREAM FROM THOSE FIRE ANT BITES.

I'D LIKE TO KEEP 'EM ALL DAY.

(Don) ANYWAY, I WAS STILL GRINNING AN HOUR LATER WHEN THE TIME CAME TO SAY, AS I KNEW IT INEVITABLY WOULD-- [over radio] Houston, we have a problem.

BUT MIRACLES CAN OCCUR.

AND AFTER JUST A FEW TRIPS OFF AND ON THE ON- AND OFF-RAMPS, THE BIG CITY CONFUSION CLEARED, AND THERE WE WERE JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM A TRUE FOLK ART ICON.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE ORANGE SHOW BUILT BY JEFF D. McKISSACK, A RETIRED POSTAL WORKER, IN TRIBUTE TO HIS FAVORITE FRUIT-- AND MAINTAINED IN FINE FASHION BY THE FOUNDATION THAT BEARS ITS NAME.

(Suzanne) JEFF WAS REALLY DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT WHAT HE WAS DOING, BUT HE DIDN'T THINK OF IT AS ART.

IT WAS A-- IT WAS A MONUMENT TO GOOD HEALTH AND NUTRITION.

THIS WHOLE SECTION HERE HAS SIGNS ABOUT HOW THE ORANGE AND OTHER FRUITS AND OTHER VEGETABLES TAKE NUTRIENTS FROM THE SEA AND YOUR BODY CONVERTS THESE NUTRIENTS INTO ENERGY.

HE HAD THIS REAL MESSAGE ABOUT "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT."

SO HE THOUGHT THE BEST WAY TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE HOW ORANGES WORK IN YOUR BODY WAS THAT-- YOU KNOW, THAT ORANGES WERE JUST LIKE STEAM: LOTS OF ENERGY, NO POLLUTANTS, LOTS OF ENERGY, NO CHOLESTEROL.

THIS IS SOMETHING HE WAS REALLY PROUD OF.

HE GOT THIS FROM AN OLD HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON.

THEY WERE GOING TO THROW IT AWAY, AND HE TALKED 'EM INTO TAKING $7 FOR IT.

HE WORKED FOR 25 YEARS ON THE ORANGE SHOW.

THE ONLY PAPERWORK WE HAVE OF HIS MAKING THE ORANGE SHOW ARE THIS ENDLESS SERIES OF BUILDING PERMITS.

AND HE WAS SO WORRIED THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LET HIM OPEN THE ORANGE SHOW, SO HE DID THIS WHOLE PRESENTATION ON SAFETY AT THE ORANGE SHOW, AND HE WENT TO THE EXTENT OF EMBEDDING ALL OF THESE IN THESE REALLY BEAUTIFUL SIGNS.

IT'S SO-- IT WAS SO FUNNY TO ME THAT HE WOULD SPEND ALL THIS TIME DOING THIS EXACT WORK AND THEN MISSPELL "CONFUCIUS" OR MISSPELL "GOOD-BYE."

HE ACTUALLY DIDN'T LIKE THE COLOR ORANGE VERY MUCH.

PEOPLE ALWAYS THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE ALL ORANGE.

HE DIDN'T LIKE IT VERY MUCH.

AND HE USED THESE REALLY STRONG, VIVID PRIMARY COLORS.

HIS WHOLE THINKING WAS THAT HE HAD TO MAKE THE ORANGE SHOW LOOK LIKE A FORT.

IT HAD TO CONVEY THE STRENGTH OF THE ORANGE.

JUST THE LITTLE DETAILS ABOUT HOW HE THOUGHT ABOUT PEOPLE MOVING THROUGH THE ORANGE SHOW.

I WANT TO TAKE YOU UP HERE.

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE VIEWS OF THE ORANGE SHOW.

THE THING THAT I LOVE ABOUT IT UP HERE, WHEN YOU'RE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, IT'S ALL THAT WH ITE CONCRETE RELIEVED BY THESE BEAUTIFUL CO LOR MOSAICS.

BUT THEN WH EN YOU GET UP HERE, IT'S THIS INCREDIBLE MAZE OF WROUGHT IRON AND ALL THESE COLORS.

HE WANTED THIS PLATFORM THAT WOULD ROLL, THAT WOULD REVOLVE LIKE A TURNTABLE ON A RECORD PLAYER.

AND THERE WOULD BE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN SITTING THERE PLAYING THE ORGAN.

(Randy) WAS HE STRONG?

WAS HE A BIG, STRAPPIN' FELLA?

HE WAS A BIG STRAPPING FELLOW WHO WAS IN WONDERFUL HEALTH.

HE DIED TWO DAYS SHORT OF HIS 78th BIRTHDAY.

AND EVERYONE WHO KNEW HIM TELLS US THAT THEY WERE SO SHOCKED WHEN HE GOT SICK AND DIED.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED IS, HE OPENED THE ORANGE SHOW-- HE FINISHED IT AND OPENED IT IN MAY OF '79.

AND HE HAD THIS IDEA THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST TOURIST ATTRACTION IN HOUSTON.

AND THEN, IN FACT, THE ASTRODOME WAS SORT OF STOLEN FROM THE ORANGE SHOW.

OUR FOUNDER, MARILYN OSHMAN, WHO KNEW HIM WELL AND LOVED HIM, SAID THAT SHE REALLY HAS ALWAYS THOUGHT HE DIED OF A BROKEN HEART.

[McKissack's recorded voice] I used to ride the steamboats, and I traveled all over the United States-- lived in New York, California, built ships during the World War.

I guess you might say I've been in training for 60 years to build this show.

(Suzanne) MARILYN ASKED HIM ONCE THAT-- SHE SAID, "WELL, JEFF, DID YOU HAVE ANY PLANS?"

HE SAID, "OH, NO, I WAS LOST FOR YEARS."

[laughing] (Randy) COULD WE BORROW THAT?

WE HAVE.

THAT'S WHAT WE RUN THE FESTI-- (Don) THANKS TO SUZANNE AND HER STAFF ACROSS THE STREET, JEFF'S CREATION CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A DESTINATION AND AN INSPIRATION.

IN FACT, THE ORANGE SHOW'S ANNUAL ART CAR PARADE HAS BECOME A VERY BIG DEAL.

FOR MANY OF THE ENTRANTS, IT'S MUCH MORE THAN A ONCE-A-YEAR THING.

HERE COMES ONE NOW.

[engine revving] (Tom) WE'RE CREATING A WHOLE NEW PROFESSION.

RATHER THAN BEING A OIL PAINTER, I PREFER TO MESS UP CARS.

AND RIPPER'S MADE OF STEEL AND FOAM AND SILVER SPRAY PAINT.

SO EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, I HAVE TO SPRUCE HIM UP A LITTLE BIT.

ENGINE'S RIGHT THERE.

(Mike) HOW ARE THE FLUIDS?

THEY'RE ALL FINE.

AT FIRST, YOU MIGHT THINK THAT PARKING PLACES ARE DIFFICULT AND YOU MIGHT THINK YOU HAVE TO FIND TWO IN A ROW.

IN SOME CASES, THAT'S TRUE.

BUT QUITE OFTEN, THERE ARE PLACES-- AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE HANDICAPPED AREAS, BUT MORE LIKE THE SIDEWALK RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE THEATER OR UP ON THE GRASS, WHERE NO ONE'S ALLOWED TO GO THAT THIS CAR CAN TRAVEL, AND HE RARELY ENCOUNTERS ANY TROUBLE.

(Mike) SO HOW'S THE VISIBILITY IN THIS?

OH, WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE VISIBILITY, I-I AM QUITE OFTEN KNOWN TO SAY THAT ALL THOSE YEARS OF MOM TELLING ME TO SIT UP STRAIGHT FINALLY PAID OFF.

(Don) WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THE RISK OF TAKING RIDES WITH STRANGERS, BUT HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO A FRIENDLY SHARK?

JUST WATCH FOR THOSE SUDDEN STOPS.

[brakes squealing] ABOUT THIS TIME, WE REALIZED THAT THE KIND OF STUFF WE'RE LOOKING FOR MUST THRIVE IN HOUSTON.

ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS, IT'S BECAUSE THIS IS A CROSSROADS.

YOU'VE GOT TRADITIONS COMING OVER FROM THE OLD SOUTH AND UP FROM MEXICO MEETING THAT TEXAS SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE ALL IN A PLACE WITH NO ZONING.

IN FACT, JUST A FEW MILES FROM THE ORANGE SHOW, THIS COLORFUL CORNER IS AN ONGOING WORK THAT GOES ON BY SOMEONE THEY CALL FLOWER MAN.

(Randy) OH, THIS IS THE SECOND ONE, 'CAUSE THE FIRST ONE BURNED DOWN.

HE ONLY HAD ONE COMPLETELY BUILT UP, AND THEN I THINK IT BURNED, AND SO HE STARTED AGAIN.

THIS IS ALL JUST SINCE-- I DON'T KNOW, FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

(Mike) I THOUGHT HE WAS A BAKER.

HE'S GOT FLAMINGOS.

MAYBE HE'S KIND OF--THERE'S THAT WALKING THING AGAIN.

WALK OFTEN, DO YOU?

(Randy) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU LOOK ACROSS THE STREET?

(woman) IT'S BEAUTIFUL, 'CAUSE HE WORK OVER THERE ALL THE TIME, AND HE STAY BUSY, AND HE HAVE PEOPLES COMING OVER THERE, SCHOOL BUSES COMING, BRINGING KIDS AND THINGS.

HE ALWAYS LOVED FLOWERS.

HE SAY HE GREW UP-- HE WAS A WINO, AN ADDICT AND EVERYTHING, AND THEN HE GOT AWAY FROM THAT.

HE STARTED HAVING HIS FLOWER BEDS AND STUFF, AND HE'S BEEN DEALING WITH THAT EVER SINCE.

IS THAT A CHICKEN?

THAT'S A CHICKEN IN THERE.

(Don) FLOWER MAN BRINGS BACK MATERIALS ON HIS BIKE.

IT MUST HAVE BEEN A GOOD DAY FOR GATHERING, BECAUSE IN SPITE OF OUR LINGERING IN THE TEXAS HEAT, NEITHER HE NOR HIS BIKE WERE ANYWHERE TO BE SEEN.

STILL THIS BEING HOUSTON, WE WERE JUST A SHORT SHOT FROM YET ANOTHER ECLECTIC COLLECTOR'S HOME: THIS OTHERWISE NORMAL-LOOKING RANCH HOME OWNED BY SYLVESTER WILLIAMS, DUBBED BY HIS FRIENDS AT THE ORANGE SHOW AS THE "EAGLE'S NEST."

(Sylvester) HE WANTED TO HEAR SOME MUSIC.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO-- HE'S SORT OF LONELY, SO I PUT IN A RADIO-- PUT IN A RADIO ON THERE.

I'VE BEEN COLLECTING JUNK SINCE IN THE BEGINNING.

THEY CALL IT RECYCLE NOW; PUT A PRETTY NAME TO IT.

(woman) COLLECTS THINGS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH BLACK HISTORY, AND HE'LL GET 'EM WHETHER THEY'RE ON, LIKE, A-- LIKE A SYRUP JAR OR A BOTTLE OR LIKE ON THE BACK OF A BOX OF CEREAL.

EVERY TIME YOU STOP AT A STOPLIGHT, THAT'S THE GUY THAT CREATED THAT PROBLEM.

(Beth) HE CREATES ART TOO.

HE MADE A WHOLE SERIES OF INSTRUMENTS OUT OF CAR PARTS, LIKE CARBURETORS AND STUFF.

WHICH WAY-- WHERE DO I BLOW?

[blowing horn] (Randy) WE HAVE THIS TROUBLE WITH HIM.

(Beth) BUT HE'S, LIKE-- PERFECTLY MANICURES THE LAWN, AND THEN HE POURS TAR AROUND, YOU KNOW, LIKE BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND ALONG THE EDGES OF THE DRIVEWAY SO THAT THE WEEDS DON'T GROW IN.

(Sylvester) EVERY SINGLE BRICK PAINTED WHITE.

(Mike) WHY IS THAT?

(Sylvester) JUST--REDOING SOME-- IT COSTS MONEY TO MAINTAIN THIS-- MAINTAIN THIS JUNK.

(Don) THEY SAY THAT MR. WILLIAMS IS A WALKING ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY IN THESE PARTS.

LIKE JEFF McKISSACK, HE TOO WORKED FOR THE POST OFFICE.

BUT EVEN I DON'T THINK THAT EXPLAINS IT ALL.

IT'S THE LEAF MOLD.

IT'S THE HIGH HUMIDITY RATE THAT MAKES PEOPLE CRAZY.

YOU KNOW, LIKE IN ENGLAND, IT'S HUMID THERE, AND THERE'S A LOT OF ECCENTRICS.

AND I'M NOT-- I'M NOT KIDDING.

WELL, I AM.

(Don) SPEAKING OF FERMENTATION, I AM LONG OVERDUE FOR MY END-OF-THE-DAY BEVERAGES.

BUT THOSE PRODUCERS KEEP SAYING THAT WHILE IN HOUSTON, THERE'S ONE LAST THING WE HAVE TO SEE.

AND I GUESS IF IT REALLY IS A HOUSE COMPLETELY COVERED IN BEER CANS, I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE.

JOHN MILKOVISCH BEGAN BUILDING IT IN 1968.

AND THOUGH HE'S SINCE GONE ON TO THAT BIG BEER GARDEN IN THE SKY, JOHN'S SONS AND LOVELY WIFE, MARY, HAVE KEPT CCXXII MALONE IN FINE FORM.

I THOUGHT HE'D FALLEN OFF THE LADDER ON HIS HEAD WHEN HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO PUT BEER CANS ALL OVER THE HOUSE.

BUT I COULDN'T FIND ANYBODY TO TAKE ME IN, SO I JUST STAYED.

(Mike) YOU WERE JUST RESIGNED TO IT?

(Mary) YES, I JUST RESIGNED TO IT, AND THEN I THOUGHT, "WELL, HE CAN HAVE THE OUTSIDE, YOU KNOW, "AND DO WHAT HE WANTS WITH IT, AND I'LL JUST DO WHAT I WANT INSIDE."

AND HE DID ALL THIS CONCRETE WORK AND EVERYTHING FIRST, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO CUT THE GRASS ANYMORE.

AND THEN I THINK HE DIDN'T WANT TO PAINT THE HOUSE ANYMORE.

SO NOW I'VE GOT ALUMINUM SIDING.

[laughing] I LOVE IT WHEN THEY CALL ME UP AND I TELL 'EM I'VE GOT IT.

(Mike) LOOKS LIKE HE SWITCHED BRANDS A FEW TIMES OVER THE YEARS.

(Mary) OH, YEAH, ANYTHING THAT WAS ON SPECIAL.

THAT WAS HIS FAVORITE BEER.

[laughing] HE LOVED HIS BEER.

HE THOUGHT IT CURED EVERYTHING.

DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

THERE'S OVER 50,000 CANS ON THE HOUSE.

THAT'S WHAT RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT ESTIMATED WHEN THEY CAME OUT.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE SEND US BEER FROM THE NETHERLANDS AND DIFFERENT PLACES IN THE UNITED STATES JUST SO WE COULD PUT THE CANS ON THE HOUSE FOR 'EM.

(Randy) IS THAT WHAT THEY CALL A DUTCH TREAT?

YEAH, I THINK SO.

WE GOT SOME BILLY BEER UP THERE.

(Randy) I LIKE THIS.

(Mary) THOSE ARE MY FAVORITE: CHIMES.

DO YOU MIND IF I-- OF COURSE, THEY TOOK THE LONGEST TO MAKE, BECAUSE HE HAD TO CUT THE RIMS OFF THE CANS AND THEN CUT THE INSIDE PART OFF AND PUT IT IN THERE WITH STICK PINS.

(Mike) LIKE A DRAPING HERE?

YEAH, AT ONE TIME, I THINK HE WANTED TO MAKE A CURTAIN OUT OF LEATHER, BUT HE NEVER COULD FIND ENOUGH LEATHER.

THE HURRICANE ALICIA BLEW THIS FENCE DOWN AND THE ONE ON THE SIDE OVER THERE.

AND SO IT WAS REAL BEAUTIFUL WHEN THE SUN'D COME UP IN THE MORNING.

OF COURSE, THIS IS TOO.

WELL, DID HE EVER SEE SOMEONE ELSE DOING THIS STUFF AND SAY THAT THAT'S WHAT GOT HIM STARTED?

NO, NO, I THINK HE THOUGHT IT ALL UP HIMSELF.

(Mike) BUT HE DIDN'T THINK OF HIMSELF AS AN ARTIST, OR DID HE?

(Mary) NO, HE DIDN'T.

IN FACT, HE SAID HE WOULDN'T GO AROUND THE BLOCK TO SEE THIS PLACE.

EVERYBODY ASKS, "DID YOUR HUSBAND DRINK ALL THIS BEER?"

AND I SAID, "WELL, NO, I HELPED HIM.

SOMEBODY HAD TO DO IT."

I WAS HIS INSPIRATION.

NO.

(Don) NOW, THAT'S THE KIND OF LOVE STORY I LIKE TO HEAR, AND I DO BELIEVE WE'RE HEADED TOWARDS THE COOLER.

SO THIS IS DON THE CAMERA GUY SIGNING OFF.

TO JOHN.

YES.

[sighs] TO HECK WITH THOSE PRODUCER GUYS.

YEAH, WHOEVER THEY ARE.

WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE?

[laughing] A COUPLE OF LOONEY TOONS.

EXACTLY.

THAT BLOUSE IS THE BEST-LOOKING BLOUSE I'VE EVER SEEN ON CAMERA.

THAT IS A WONDERFUL BLOUSE.

WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

I LIKE YOURS TOO.

[sighs] NOW, ARE YOU MARRIED?

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