>> male announcer: PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR RARE VISIONS AND ROADSIDE REVELATIONS HAS BEEN PROVIDED 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 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.

♪ ♪ >> Mike: THAT'S WHAT THEY MEAN BY BIG SKY COUNTRY, HUH?

>> Mike: EXCEPT THAT'S MONTANA, RIGHT?

>> Randy: RIGHT.

PRETTY BIG SKY COUNTRY.

>> Don: DEAR TV MAIL BAG, WYOMING.

WHY NOT?

HI, DON THE CAMERA GUY HERE TAKING THE PICTURES WHILE THOSE TWO PRODUCERS WITH WHOM I RIDE GET IN THEIR TWO CENTS WORTH.

THIS IS CHEYENNE, A CAPITAL CITY SO ACCESSIBLE WE'VE BEEN TOLD WE MIGHT EVEN BE WELCOMED BY THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF, EXCEPT FOR SOME IMPORTANT GOVERNING BUSINESS HE APPARENTLY CHOSE TO ATTEND TO INSTEAD.

>> Randy: WE EVEN BROUGHT OUR GLOVES TO PLAY CATCH WITH THE GOVERNOR, BUT-- >> IT'S A TOUGH TOSS FROM HONOLULU, I UNDERSTAND.

>> Mike: YOU SURE HE'S IN HONOLULU?

YOU DIDN'T JUST MAKE THAT UP?

>> Randy: SO WHERE DOES THE GOVERNOR USUALLY PLAY CATCH WITH VISITING DIGNITARIES?

>> OH, ON THE CAPITOL LAWN.

>> Randy: DON'T YOU THINK IT'S THE KIND OF DUTY THAT SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IF THE GOVERNOR ISN'T AVAILABLE?

>> Don: NOW, WHETHER WE PLAY OR NOT, THE GROUNDS HERE ACROSS FROM THE CAPITOL ARE WORTH ANOTHER LOOK.

TURNS OUT THE SIDEWALKS ARE FULL OF ART GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE DAYS OF THE W.P.A.

>> Betty Anne: THEY'RE NOT MARKED IN ANY WAY.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO DID THEM.

WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YEAR THEY WERE DONE.

BUT IF YOU'RE STROLLING THE GROUNDS OF THE WYOMING STATE CAPITOL, THEY COME UPON AS A PLEASANT AND UNEXPECTED SURPRISE.

>> Mike: HERE'S THE DEER.

SEE THE LEGS?

>> Randy: OH, IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT-- >> Mike: AND THE HEAD AND THE ANTLERS?

>> Betty Anne: SOME OF THEM ARE CARVED ON THE FLAT SURFACE, AND SOME OF THE SLATES HAVE BEEN SHAPED.

THIS IS A MYSTERY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Mike: I THINK IT'S A SADDLEBAG OR A PURSE.

>> Randy: ARE WE SURE THERE WASN'T-- THEY WEREN'T DONE BY PRIMITIVE PEOPLES?

>> Betty Anne: NO, AN IMAGE OF A GAS STATION MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF A STRETCH.

>> Don: PRIMITIVE PEOPLE ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR SIDEWALKS.

>> Betty Anne: [laughing] > Mike: OH, HERE WE GO.

>> Betty Anne: HERE WE GO.

>> Mike: THAT'S NOT A BUFFALO.

THAT'S A COW.

THAT'S A STEER.

>> Betty Anne: THAT ONE'S A COW.

>> Randy: EVERYBODY'S GOTTEN TO TOUCH ONE BUT ME.

>> Mike: TOUCH IT.

TRACE IT OUT, BECAUSE I THINK THESE ARE GOING TO BE HARD TO PICK OUT OF THE ROCK ON CAMERA.

>> Betty Anne: HERE YOU GO.

>> Mike: CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS, THE DADDY-- >> Betty Anne: THE DADDY OF 'EM ALL.

>> Randy: WHOA.

>> Don: THAT BRINGS A FRONTIER TO MY EYE.

>> Betty Anne: I'LL BET IT DOES.

>> Don: BY NOW, BETTY ANNE WAS WELL AWARE THAT WE WERE TROUBLE BUT CONTINUED SHARING HER VAST KNOWLEDGE OF WYOMING WITH US ANYWAY, INCLUDING HOW TO GET TO WHAT'S LEFT OF SARAVILLE, A COLLECTION OF CONCRETE CREATIONS CRAFTED BY A FATHER-SON COMBINATION WORN DOWN BY VICIOUS VANDALS AND WYOMING WEATHER.

>> Randy: WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THIS FROM WHEN IT WAS IN ITS GLORY DAYS?

>> PEOPLE COMING AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT--MIDNIGHT, 1:00, 2:00--DRIVING US UP THE WALL WANTING TO LOOK AT IT.

MY GRANDFATHER LOVED TO TELL THEM ABOUT IT.

THIS IS WHAT STARTED IT OUT.

IF YOU CAN READ THAT, IT SAYS "SEPTEMBER 30, 1955.

ROSE BED."

AND MY GRANDPA BUILT THE LITTLE HOUSES.

HE WANTED TO BUILD A OLD WEST TOWN.

HE HAD QUITE AN IMAGINATION-- TOWN HALL DANCE EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT.

THE WHOLE THING'S DEDICATED TO GRANDMA.

"IN MEMORY OF MOTHER.

OH, HOW WE LOVED HER GOD ONLY KNOWS."

THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT SARAVILLE.

AND IN 1961, HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO BUILD DINOSAURS, WHICH HE BUILT.

NOW, THE ONE THAT YOU COULD SEE JUST AS YOU COME IN, THAT'S THE FIRST DINOSAUR.

>> Randy: GERTIE, WASN'T IT?

>> GERTRUDE.

>> Mike: NOW, I'M CONFUSED.

YOUR GRANDPA STARTED IT, BUT THEN YOUR UNCLE STEPPED IN AND-- >> NO, THEY BOTH DID IT AT THE SAME TIME.

HE BUILD DINOSAURS, AND MY GRANDPA BUILT THE HOUSES.

>> Mike: OH, SO THAT EXPLAINS WHY THERE'S SUCH DIFFERENT CONCEPTS HERE.

>> YEAH, 'CAUSE THEY WERE DIFFERENT.

THEY WERE TOTALLY DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

>> Randy: WELL, DID THEY KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING ABOUT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY?

>> NOT REALLY.

THEY JUST STARTED BUILDING.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IN THE WORLD THEY WERE GOING TO END UP WITH.

THAT'S HUMPTY DUMPTY SITTING ON THE WALL IF YOU CAN USE YOUR IMAGINATION--AN EGG ON A WALL.

>> Randy: RIGHT BEHIND MOTHER GOOSE.

>> RIGHT BEHIND MOTHER GOOSE AND SNOOPY AND ALL THE CRITTERS.

>> Mike: WHICH ONE BUILT ALL THE GLASS STUFF?

WHO GOT INTO THE BOTTLE-- >> THAT'S MY UNCLE.

HE WENT DOWN TO THE LOCAL MORTUARY AND DECIDED TO START COLLECTING EMBALMING FLUID BOTTLES.

SO ALL THE SQUARE BOTTLE-- NOW, THIS IS-- THE ONLY EMBALMING FLUID BOTTLE IN THIS ONE IS RIGHT THERE.

THE REST ARE BOTTLES FROM THE BUFORD TOWN DUMP.

AND UNCLE PAUL, HE WENT THROUGH PHASES.

HE WENT FROM DINOSAURS TO BOTTLE BARS.

THEN HE GOT RELIGION, AND HE STARTED IN ON THE RELIGIOUS END OF THE THING.

GOT GOD'S GARDEN DOWN THERE.

THE ORIGINAL PLANS FOR THIS PLACE WERE, THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A WORKING TRAIN.

THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE JUST SCADS OF THINGS.

BUT THEY RAN OUT OF BOTH TIME AND MONEY.

THEY GOT OLD, AND THEY GOT BROKE.

>> FRANKLY, IF I HADN'T HAVE INHERITED IT AND TAKEN IT AWAY FROM THE BANK, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IN 1990.

THEY HAD IT ALL SLATED FOR DEMOLITION.

SO I DID NOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.

IN FACT, I CAME OUT AND BASICALLY TOOK IT AWAY FROM THE BANK, BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT IT DESTROYED.

I STILL DON'T REALLY WANT IT DESTROYED.

IT'S TOO MUCH OF TWO MEN'S AMBITION.

LOOK AT THE WORK IT TOOK.

THAT'S 20 TONS OF CONCRETE PROBABLY.

>> Randy: 20 TONS?

>> 20 TONS, I'D SAY.

>> Don: SO TO PARAPHRASE TENNESSEE ERNIE, "IT'S 20 TONS AND WHAT DO YOU GET?"

YOUR STATUES BROKEN AND LITTLE RESPECT.

BUT IT'S GOOD TO SEE SARAVILLE ISN'T GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT.

AND SPEAKING OF SUPPER, I THINK WE COULD ALL USE A BREAK.

WE'LL DO MORE OF THIS CHEYENNE THING IN THE MORNING.

NOW, EVEN ON THE SUPER CHEAP PUBLIC TELEVISION MOTEL BUDGET, WE SOMETIMES CATCH A GEM, AND THE SANDS WAS ONE OF THEM.

AND REALLY WE HATED TO LEAVE, BUT HERE WE ARE REMOVING OUR MOST PRECIOUS ITEMS.

AND YOU KNOW PEOPLE'S FAVORITE THINGS ARE OFTEN THE SUBJECT OF GRASSROOTS ART, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING TO FIND EN MASSE AT FRED APADOCAS' YARD ON 8th STREET.

>> Mike: WOW, LOOK AT HERE.

>> Randy: I THINK IT KNOW WHICH PLACE IT IS.

>> Mike: WE'RE AT THE RIGHT SPOT.

>> I BUILT ALL OF THIS.

I BUILT THE WHOLE WORK.

WHEN I MOVED OUT HERE, THIS YARD WAS NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF JUNK.

THESE ONES, THEY USED TO BELONG TO MY GRANDMA.

MY DAD MADE THAT LITTLE TRUCK ON HERE.

THAT LITTLE STOVE ON THERE--OLD ONE RIGHT HERE?

>> Mike: YEAH?

>> THAT USED TO BELONG TO MY GRANDMA TOO.

THERE'S A WORKING PLOW.

>> Randy: I DON'T KNOW IF DON CAN SEE IT, BUT I CAN SEE IT.

IT'S BACK THERE.

>> Don: YO.

>> Randy: DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, THOUGH, TO HAVE THESE THINGS FROM THE PAST AROUND YOU?

>> YEAH, LIKE A LOT OF--GUYS COME TO ME, SAY, "YOU AND YOUR JUNK."

TO ME, IT'S NOT A JUNK.

TO ME, IT'S JUST LIKE A SOUVENIR THAT THEY LET ME TO TAKE CARE.

THAT PUMP COME FROM OUR OLD PLACE IN NEW MEXICO, YOU KNOW, THAT OLD PUMP THERE.

>> Randy: VIEWERS OF OUR SHOW WILL RECOGNIZE HORSE-DRAWN FARM IMPLEMENT SEATS.

>> Fred: YEAH.

>> Randy: WERE THOSE FROM YOUR FARM?

>> Fred: YEP.

>> Mike: AND WHAT'S WITH THE SINK HERE?

>> Fred: OH, THAT'S A OLD SINK I WOULD COME OUT OF THE OLD PLACE.

>> Mike: OH, COME OUT OF THE OLD PLACE?

SO YOU USED TO WASH YOUR HANDS THERE, I GUESS?

>> YEP, THERE'S ANOTHER TRUCK THAT MY DAD MADE.

THAT'S WHAT THEY USE TO CUT CORN.

>> Randy: MM-HMM.

>> AND THIS: TO SKIN LOGS.

>> Randy: TO WHAT?

>> SEE THIS CAN HERE?

EVERYTHING HAD-- THAT'S THE ONE THEY USE TO CARRY THE GAS FOR THE-- FILL THE TRACTORS.

>> Randy: OH, THIS IS A GAS CAN?

>> YEAH.

>> Randy: AND THE BEER CAN?

>> Fred: AND THE BEER CAN, I DRINK THAT.

[laughing] THAT ONE DOWN THERE IS A CORN PLANTER TO PLANT CORN.

THEY EVEN USED THAT TO CUT THE HEAD OF THE WHITE MAN.

>> Mike: THIS?

>> YUP.

YOU NEVER GOT IT.

>> Mike: NOW, FRED, I GOTTA ASK YOU ABOUT SOMETHING.

>> Fred: YEAH?

>> Mike: 'CAUSE UP THERE IT SAYS "RETIRED."

>> Fred: YEAH.

>> Mike: BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK TO ME LIKE YOU'RE RETIRED AT ALL.

>> Fred: NO, I KEEP MYSELF PRETTY BUSY.

I DONE IT ALL BY MYSELF.

THAT'S ONE THING.

I HAVE NOBODY TO HELP ME.

>> Randy: DO YOU NOT WANT ANY HELP, OR HAS NO ONE EVER OFFERED?

>> Fred: NO, BUT YOU SEE, I WANT TO PUT IT AS MY OWN, YOU KNOW?

THAT WAY, I COULD SAY, "I DONE IT."

I'M GLAD YOU GUYS COME, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I GOT IT FOR, FOR THE PEOPLE TO COME AND LOOK.

>> Don: THE LUSH LAWN HERE IS FURTHER PROOF OF HOW MUCH CARE FRED TAKES OF APADOCAS ACRES.

AND WE'D LIKE TO STAY LONGER, BUT WE'VE GOT ANOTHER RETIREE TO SEE JUST OUTSIDE TOWN.

FOR YEARS AND YEARS, MEL GOULD HELPED FIX MASSIVE MACHINERY IN THE FACTORIES OF CHEYENNE.

BUT NOW HE DOES HIS TINKERING AT HOME UNDERGROUND AND IN THE YARD-- >> Mike: OH, LOOK AT THE DOG.

IT'S UP IN THE BACK WINDOW.

>> Don: HE'S EVEN MADE SOME OUTDOOR ART FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THOSE PASSING BY ON I-94.

>> Mel: THIS IS THE RED BARON.

THIS IS THE FIRST ONE I MADE ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO.

THAT'S BARNEY FIFE, OUR SECURITY COPTER UP THERE.

I BRING STUFF HOME, AND IT'S SITTING THERE.

AND THEN WHEN I GET OTHER STUFF TO GO WITH IT, "HEY, I CAN PUT THEM TOGETHER," YOU KNOW?

THIS IS A 1,500 BY 20 AIRPLANE TIRE TURNED INSIDE OUT FOR THE POT.

AND THEN THESE FISH--ARE SOME OF THEM UNIANCHORS WE USED TO MAKE.

THESE ARE UPSIDE DOWN.

THESE ARE BIG SPRINGS FROM THE MISSILE SITES.

>> Randy: YOU WENT TO A MISSILE SITE AND PULLED ONE OF THOSE OUT?

>> NO, I GOT IT IN THE JUNKYARD WHEN THEY WAS TEARING THEM DOWN.

I'M A PACK RAT, LIKE I SAY.

GET ENOUGH TO BUILD SOMETHING, I GOTTA PUT IT TOGETHER, YOU KNOW?

>> Randy: AND YOU CALL HIM?

>> MR. CRANKY.

WELL, HE'S BEEN UP ABOUT THREE YEARS OR SO.

HE'S GOT A BUTANE BOTTLE FOR HIS BODY AND A FREON BOTTLE FOR HIS HEAD.

AND HE'S WORKING FOR THE LORD.

SEE ALL THEM SCRIPTURE VERSES ON THERE?

>> Randy: HE SEEMS PRETTY HAPPY ABOUT IT-- >> YEAH.

>> Randy: FOR A CRANKY GUY.

>> OH, YEAH.

[laughing] >> Mike: I THINK THAT REFERS TO THIS.

>> IF I GET A CHUCKLE OR A SMILE OR SOMETHING FROM PEOPLE GOING BY, WELL, THAT'S-- ACCOMPLISH MY PURPOSE.

>> Mike: I'LL BET A LOT OF PEOPLE STOP AND-- >> YEAH, THEY DO.

>> Mike: WALK OVER HERE AND TAKE A LOOK, DON'T THEY?

>> YEAH.

>> Randy: I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THIS GUY.

>> YEAH, YOU GOT THE MOWER HOOKED ON NOW.

IT'S A LITTLE SKIPLOADER.

THAT WAY, I CAN SIT IN MY EASY CHAIR AND MOW THE LAWN.

[lawn mower running] >> Randy: JOYRIDE.

JOYRIDE.

>> Mike: WOO HOO!

[imitating horn] YOU KIDS, GET OUT OF THE WAY!

>> A LAZY MAN MAKES A GOOD INVENTOR, YOU KNOW?

WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO SHOVEL, YOU BUILD SOMETHING TO DIG WITH, YOU KNOW?

I GOT A SLANT SIX-- GOES INTO AUTOMATIC--AND A DODGE TRANSFER CASE UNDERNEATH DOWN TWO TO ONE INTO A FOUR SPEED.

THE THERMOSTAT HERE GOES ON THIS, AND THAT KEEPS IT ABOUT THAT TEMPERATURE.

AND THE OIL COMES IN THROUGH THAT, COMES IN THROUGH TWO FILTERS, AND GOES IN THROUGH THE SAME AS THIS.

>> Randy: YOU MUST BE ABOUT THE SMARTEST PERSON WE'VE EVER MET.

>> Mike: YEAH, HOW'D YOU LEARN ALL THIS STUFF?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

JUST DOING, YOU KNOW?

WELL, MOSTLY.

>> Mike: I DON'T KNOW WHAT ANY OF THAT MEANS.

YOU'RE, LIKE, TALKING IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.

>> OH, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> Randy: IT'S, LIKE, WHAT DOGS HEAR?

>> Mike: CAN I RIDE HERE?

>> SURE.

>> Randy: FOR A GUY WHO DOES THIS MUCH, YOU DON'T GET VERY EXCITED?

>> NO, I GET EXCITED WHEN I GET READY TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE, SEE IF IT'S GOING TO WORK.

[laughing] >> Randy: YEAH.

>> Don: FROM WHAT WE CAN TELL, IT'S WORKED PRETTY WELL FOR MEL, INCLUDING THE MORE OR LESS SELF-SUSTAINING SUBTERRANEAN WORLD HE CALLS BURYVILLE-- >> Randy: THAT'S ALL RUNNING ON THE--FROM THE-- >> Don: WHICH RANDY MAY BE SEEING MORE OF THAN HE INTENDED.

HE DID EMERGE, HOWEVER, JUST IN TIME TO RESUME THE DRIVING PORTION OF OUR SHOW.

HEADING PAST LARAMIE IN SEARCH OF THE AMES PYRAMID, THE ARCHITECTURAL ODDITY THAT BETTY ANNE PREPPED US FOR.

>> Randy: GOT THE BIG FACE ON IT.

MUST BE ONE OF THE AMES BROTHERS.

IS THAT WILLIE OR ED?

>> Mike: YEAH.

>> Don: IN FACT, I CAN ALMOST HEAR HER NOW.

>> Betty Anne: WELL, THE PYRAMID ITSELF IS 60 FEET SQUARE, 60 FEET HIGH.

THE STONE IN IT IS RED SANDSTONE, WHICH WAS QUARRIED NEARBY.

IT'S A MONUMENT TO THE SUCCESSFUL BUILDING OF THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD.

IT'S THE KIND OF EMBODIMENT OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF MANIFEST DESTINY.

>> Mike: I LOVE THE FACT THAT THESE GUYS BUILT THIS MONUMENT TO THEMSELVES OUT HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

>> Betty Anne: WELL, IT WASN'T NOWHERE AT THE TIME.

IT'S BUILT AT THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE ORIGINAL RAILROAD BED: OVER 8,000 FEET.

>> Randy: PROBABLY RIGHT WHERE WE'RE STANDING IS THE--WAS THE HIGHEST POINT ON THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD.

NOT THAT YOU CAN HEAR ANY OF THIS, 'CAUSE THE WIND IS BLOWING-- >> Mike: LIKE MAD.

>> Randy: LIKE CRAZY.

AND IT'S COLD.

>> Mike: IT'S COLD.

>> Betty Anne: THE SETTING IS BREATHTAKING.

IT'S AWE-INSPIRING.

YOU'RE STANDING ON THE ROOF OF THE CONTINENT.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOW IN THE INFORMATION REVOLUTION.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE HIGH POINT, LITERALLY, OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

>> Mike: WE COULD START A FIRE TO KEEP OURSELVES WARM.

HERE'S ONE PIECE OF WOOD.

>> Randy: HOW COME MIKE HAS A JACKET AND WE DON'T?

>> Mike: "HOW COME I DON'T HAVE A WARMER JACKET?"

IS THE REAL QUESTION.

>> Don: YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAMERA DOESN'T HAVE A JACKET?

>> Mike: IT'S THE SHAKY CAM-- EXTRA SHAKY CAM.

>> Don: SPEAKING OF SHAKY, OAKES AMES WAS DRUMMED OUT OF CONGRESS FOR HIS PART IN A LAND SCANDAL KNOWN AS CREDIT MOBILIER, FOR WHICH NO MONUMENT WAS ERECTED.

SO WITH THAT WYOMING WIND WHIPPING AWAY, WE SLIPPED FURTHER WESTWARD TOWARD COMO BLUFF AND YET ANOTHER ONE-OF-A-KIND STRUCTURE.

>> Jody: THE RAILROAD WORKERS FOUND THE DINOSAUR BONE IN THE LATE 1800s, WHEN THEY WERE PUTTING THE RAILROAD IN ON THAT SIDE OF THE RIDGE.

AND THEN TOM AND GRACIE BOYLEN BUILT THIS PLACE, AND THEY HAULED THE DINOSAUR BONE DOWN FROM THERE WITH TEAM AND WAGON IN THE LATE 1930s.

AND THEN THIS WAS FEATURED IN RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT IN THE '50s, AND IT IS THE ONLY BUILDING IN THE WORLD MADE OF DINOSAUR BONE.

>> Randy: FEMUR?

DIPLODOCUS FEMUR?

>> Don: ♪ EVERYBODY GIVES ME ♪ ♪ FEMURS.

♪ ♪ >> Randy: WHAT DO YOU CALL THOSE THINGS?

CLAVICLES?

CERVICAL, I BET.

SAY, IS THAT THE FOSSIL CHICKEN COOP?

>> Mike: WHAT'S THE RAREST KIND OF THING ON THE WALL--ON THE OUTSIDE?

ARE THERE BONES THAT THE PALEONTOLOGISTS "OOH" AND "AAH" OVER?

>> Jody: ABOUT ALMOST ALL OF 'EM, 'CAUSE THEY'RE ALL DINOSAUR BONE, BUT WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHICH ONES.

WE KNOW THAT THE TWO ON EACH SIDE OF THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE IS A BRONTOSAURUS LEG BONE.

WE KNOW THAT.

>> Don: DO YOU EVER GET ANY SIDING SALESMEN APPROACH YOU?

>> Jody: YOU HAVE A FEW, YES.

MANY, IN FACT.

>> Don: THEY GOT A LOT OF NERVE, DON'T THEY?

>> Randy: DO WE REALLY HAVE TO BE CAREFUL FOR RATTLESNAKES?

>> THEY ARE HERE.

>> Mike: IN HERE?

>> Jody: NOT NECESSARILY IN HERE, I HOPE.

I DON'T REALLY CARE FOR 'EM MYSELF, BUT-- >> Randy: DOES ANYBODY REALLY CARE FOR RATTLESNAKES?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Don: NOBODY MUCH CARES FOR WEASELS, EITHER.

AND SINCE THIS LADY RANCHER IS PACKING HEAT, I SUGGEST THEY TREAD WITH CARE.

LITTLE OF WHICH WAS SHOWN AS WE HEADED RIGHT ON DOWN TO MEDICINE BOW IN A PLACE KNOWN AS--NOTE THE PRONUNCIATION-- DIPLODOCUS, HOME OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST JADE TOP BAR.

AND IT APPEARS I'VE LOST THEM AGAIN.

SOME KIND OF ART.

BUT OOH, THAT'S SOME COOL LOOKING ART THERE.

THAT'S--MAYBE THEY'RE IN HERE TALKING TO AN ARTIST OR SOMETHING.

OH, YEAH.

>> Randy: OH, THANK YOU.

>> Don: RESEARCH?

>> Mike: CHEERS.

>> Don: THAT'S THE KIND OF RESEARCH THEY'RE REALLY GOOD AT.

>> Mike: SO HOW COME IT'S SO DAMN QUIET IN HERE?

>> Randy: YEAH, NOISE.

>> Mike: DON'T MIND US.

>> Randy: WHAT KIND OF A BAR IS THIS?

CHRIST, ANY OF YOU GUYS EVER BEEN IN A BAR FIGHT?

[laughing] boing!

[cow mooing] >> Don: NOW, THEY SAY, "THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE."

AND THE TRUTH IS, OUR LODGING LUCK HAD GONE DOWNHILL FAST.

TWO WORDS: INDIAN COOKING.

AND THESE TWO HAVE SOME KIND OF BEE IN THEIR BONNET AS WELL.

>> Mike: WHAT'S THAT SMELL?

>> Randy: DO YOU SMELL CURRY?

>> Mike: MAN, COME ON.

[knocking on door] >> Don: NOW, THIS IS CASPER, BUT IT'S NOT A GHOST WE'RE HERE TO DOCUMENT.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE A MERMAN?

>> Mike: HELLO, SHAUN?

>> Shaun: YES.

>> Mike: WE'RE HERE ABOUT THE MERMAN.

>> Shaun: OH, COME ON IN.

>> Mike: GREAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M TALKING ON THIS STUPID PHONE.

THERE IT IS.

>> Don: UH-HUH.

>> Shaun: YUP, THAT'S HIM.

I BOUGHT HIM AT AN ESTATE SALE OF A FAMILY FRIEND.

IT'S THE ANCIENT MERMAID.

IT'S WHERE IT COMES FROM IF YOU'RE A BELIEVER.

IF YOU'RE NOT A BELIEVER, IT'S A MONKEY'S HEAD ON A FISH'S BODY, SO-- >> Mike: I WANT TO BELIEVE.

I WANT TO BELIEVE.

>> Shaun: ACCORDING TO ROADSIDE AMERICA, THERE'S SEVEN OF 'EM LEFT.

THE ORIGINAL ONE WAS P.T.

BARNUM'S.

IT WAS ONE OF HIS EARLY ATTRACTIONS.

RIPLEY'S OWNS MOST OF THEM, AND THEN THERE'S A FEW IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP AROUND THE COUNTRY, SO-- >> Randy: AND PEOPLE FLOCKED TO SEE THEM IN THEIR DAY?

>> YEAH, HE MADE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 25¢ AT A TIME WITH HIS IN THE 1880s, SO-- >> Randy: WAS SOME OF THAT GOING THROUGH YOUR HEAD?

>> YEAH.

IN FACT, I MIGHT HAVE TO GET A QUARTER FROM EACH OF YOU GUYS HERE.

>> Mike: OH, I DON'T KNOW.

A QUARTER?

>> Randy: THE BELIEVER PAYS.

THE SKEPTIC DOESN'T HAVE TO.

>> Mike: COULD I HAVE A QUARTER, CURRY BOY?

>> Don: HOW ABOUT A SACAGAWEA?

>> Mike: YEAH, THAT ABOUT COVERS ALL OF US AND MORE.

>> Don: NOW, I FIGURE IF I'M PAYING THE FREIGHT, I'M ENTITLED, AS WELL, TO ASK DUMB QUESTIONS.

SO HERE GOES.

IS THIS A REGULAR MERMAN OR AN ETHEL MERMAN?

>> YEAH, ACTUALLY WHEN I DID THE INTERNET SEARCH, I GOT A LOT OF ETHEL MERMAN INFORMATION THAT I DIDN'T REALLY NEED.

>> Don: AND CLEARLY, SHAUN ISN'T NEEDING US ANY LONGER, EITHER.

SO WHILE THEY DECIDE WHO GETS TO BE SCULLY TONIGHT, WE'RE MOVING NORTH THROUGH MORE OF THOSE WIDE OPEN SPACES THAT WYOMING HAS PLENTY OF TO OFFER.

>> Mike: I WAS JUST READING THIS STORY.

IT APPEARS THAT WE OUGHT TO BE APPLYING FOR ONE OF THESE GENIUS GRANTS OR AWARDS THEY GIVE OUT.

[laughing] >> Randy: THAT'S IT.

PAUSE FOR LAUGHTER.

>> Don: SORRY, BUT WE CAN'T PAUSE NEAR LONG ENOUGH FOR THE LAUGHS THAT DESERVES.

SO AS WE CROSS THE NORTH PLATTE, I'LL EXPLAIN JUST WHERE WE ARE.

THIS WOULD BE DOUGLAS, BIRTHPLACE OF THE FAMED JACKALOPE AND--WE SUSPECT--A PRETTY GOOD PLACE TO STOP AND PLAY SOME CATCH.

>> Mike: OH, RIGHT HERE.

RIGHT HERE.

>> Randy: JACKALOPE.

>> Mike: PULL TO THE RIGHT.

PULL TO THE RIGHT.

>> Randy: MIGHT BE A GOOD CATCH SPOT.

>> Mike: THERE IT IS.

>> Don: BUT BEFORE WE COULD EVEN HAUL OUT THE GLOVES, OUR OWN WORLD RECORD HOLDER HAD SNAGGED ITS OWN PHOTO OP.

>> WOW.

>> Mike: HEAVY.

YOU DON'T GET TO BE THE WORLD'S LARGEST BALL OF VIDEOTAPE AND NOT WEIGH NOTHING.

>> woman: [laughing] EXCELLENT.

>> Mike: HERE.

>> Randy: GOT THE LOPE?

click >> Randy: OH, UH-OH.

HIT THE JACKALOPE FIRST TRY.

HEAR THE SNAP OF THAT GLOVE.

>> Don: OOH.

>> Randy: I LOVE THIS GRASS.

IT JUST FEELS LIKE YOU'RE IN THE BIGS, GOING TO THE SHOW, YOU KNOW?

NOT OUR SHOW.

ONE HOPPER.

[laughing] >> Don: SO SOME CATCH WAS PLAYED AND NO ARRESTS WERE MADE, THOUGH WE DID LEAVE WITH NO SOUVENIRS IN HAND, JUST THESE LOCALLY PRODUCED SNACK CHIPS TO HELP WHILE AWAY MORE HOURS ON THE ROAD.

>> Randy: THESE KIND OF HAVE A LITTLE THROAT BURN, BUT THEY DON'T HIT YOU ON THE PUCKER.

>> Don: THEY HAVE A DECENT AFTERBURN.

VERY IMPORTANT ON THE JALAPENO.

WE WERE, IN FACT, STILL MUNCHING AWAY AS WE PASSED TEAPOT DOME, SITE OF YET ANOTHER WYOMING LAND SCANDAL THAT RANDY TRIED TO EXPLAIN.

>> Randy: WE DON'T KNOW.

TEAPOT DOME BROUGHT DOWN THE ADMINISTRATION OF WARREN HARDING, I THINK.

HISTORY TEACHERS, GO EASY ON ME.

>> Don: WELL, WHEN IT COMES TO MISINFORMATION, HISTORY IS ONE OF THE BOYS' BEST SUBJECTS.

GOOD THING SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND IT.

HERE JUST OUTSIDE SHERIDAN AT THE END OF THIS COUNTRY LANE, JOHN KUCHERA HAS BEEN A MAN ON A MISSION: TO BRING THE PAST ALIVE, THE PAST OF LEWIS AND CLARK--AND SACAGAWEA TOO--IN A SERIES OF SMALL METAL SCULPTURES THAT SHOW WHAT THEY DID AND HOW THEY DID IT.

AND ONCE HE GOT STARTED, HE JUST COULDN'T STOP.

>> Randy: HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN?

>> 12 YEARS.

I PURCHASED A BOOK AT A YARD SALE, AND IT WAS EVERYTHING FROM THE BEGINNING CLEAR TO THE END.

AND IT WAS SOMETHING I COULD READ IN ONE DAY.

AND IT HAD SKETCHES, ALL OF INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

AND THAT'S WHEN I STARTED.

I STARTED ONE THEN.

AND THE FIRST ONE I DID IS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER, AND THAT WAS A SPARK.

AND FROM THEN ON, I KEPT GOING TILL I HAD 11.

THEN I THOUGHT IT WAS COMPLETE.

AND THEN, WELL, IT WASN'T 11.

THEN IT WAS 19.

THEN IT WAS 21.

THEN IT WAS 35 AND ON UP.

AND NOW IT'S 66.

>> Randy: IS THAT COMPLETE?

IS 66 IT?

>> OH, I THINK IT IS NOW, BECAUSE OF THE ONE WITH THE WHISKEY ROOM, I COULDN'T HARDLY FINISH THAT ONE.

I CAN'T SEE.

MY EYES ARE GETTING TO WHERE I CAN'T SEE.

>> Mike: THAT ACTUALLY BRINGS UP THE QUESTION OF HOW YOU DO MAKE THESE.

I MEAN, IS IT CUT METAL AND SOLDERING?

>> IT'S CUT METAL AND WELDING, NOT SOLDERING.

THIS IS WHERE THEY MEET THE NEZ PERCE INDIANS.

>> Randy: WHOA.

>> THIS IS JUST AT THE POINT WHERE THOSE INDIANS READIED TO THROW THE SPEAR AT HIM.

BUT WHEN THE SPEAR GET OUT, HE JUMPS, GRABS THE SPEAR, AND KILLS THIS INDIAN.

THAT SCARES THESE THREE DOWN HERE, SO THEY FALL BACK.

AND HE RUNS AND JUMPS IN THE RIVER AND HIDES UNDER SOME UNDERBRUSH.

>> Mike: HERE'S A--BECAUSE I DON'T THINK LEWIS AND CLARK RAN ACROSS ANY PTERODACTYLS, BUT-- >> Randy: MUST HAVE BEEN TERRIFIED IF THEY DID.

>> Mike: I LOVE THE PTERODACTYL.

IT'S QUITE BEAUTIFUL.

>> THIS WAS IN MONTANA ON THE WAY BACK HOME.

RATHER THAN BUILD A COMPLETE DUG-OUT CANOE, THEY JUST HALLOWED 'EM OUT A LITTLE BIT AND FASTENED THEM TOGETHER-- FASTENED LIKE THIS.

>> Randy: THIS IS HUGE.

THIS TAKE YOU THE LONGEST OF ANY TO MAKE?

>> YEAH, THIS I STARTED IN SEPTEMBER AND NEVER COMPLETED IT UNTIL MAY.

HERE THEY'RE--OF COURSE, THEY'RE CUTTING THE TREES DOWN.

AND THEN YORK, THE BLACK MAN, HE'S OVER THERE PUSHING ON THAT PILLAR PROTRUDING TO MAKE SURE IT FALLS THIS WAY INSTEAD OF THAT WAY.

AND HERE, THEY'RE CUTTING SOME OFF WITH A STRAIGHT-BLADE SAW.

I WAS A LUMBERJACK FOR A WHILE, SO I KNOW ALL ABOUT THAT STUFF.

>> Randy: IS THERE A SCENE WHERE THEY GO AFTER THE BIG MOSQUITOES?

>> [laughing] >> Randy: THAT WERE OUT THERE?

>> BY GOSH, MAYBE THEY DID.

>> Randy: 'CAUSE I'D LOVE TO SEE THAT ONE.

>> Don: THERE ARE BLOODSUCKERS THE SIZE OF BUICKS FLYING AROUND IN HERE, DESPITE WHAT OUR FRIENDLY TOUR GUIDE DU JOUR KEEPS TRYING TO TELL US.

>> WE DON'T HAVE MOSQUITOES.

YOU JUST THINK WE HAVE MOSQUITOES.

>> Don: NOW AT LEAST OUTDOORS, I MIGHT HAVE A FIGHTING CHANCE.

IF NOT, THIS COULD BE THE LAST TIME I SAY, "UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, THIS IS DON THE CAMERA GUY BEING FLOGGED AND SIGNING OFF."

>> Randy: THAT WAS GOOD.

NICE FLOGGAGE.

>> OKAY, SO THIS IS DAY NINE, RIGHT?

>> Mike: DAY NINE.

>> AND YOU WANT TO GO NORTH TO OUR NEIGHBORS--'CAUSE WE WON'T SAY THE BIG "M" WORD.

BUT WE WANT TO KEEP YOU HERE IN GOOD OLD SHERIDAN, WYOMING: THE WEST AT ITS BEST.

GOOD GRIEF.

ARE YOU CHEWING GUM?

THROW THAT OUT.

>> Mike: [gulping noise] >> LOOK AT THAT ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.

WE CAN ACCOMMODATE YOU WITH WHATEVER YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE WITH YOU THIS EVENING--ANY TYPE OF ACCOMMODATIONS.

>> Mike: IT'S HIM.

>> Randy: IT'S HIM.

>> Mike: IT'S HIM.

>> OH, IT'S THE CAMERA MAN THAT NEEDS THE VEGETARIAN-- >> Don: OH.

>> YEAH.

>> Don: NO.

>> YOU BET.

>> Mike: NO, THERE'S NO VEGETARIANS IN THIS STATE, ARE THERE?

>> WE DON'T LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THEM, BECAUSE THIS IS THE COWBOY STATE, WHERE WE EAT BEEF.

>> Randy: HOW ABOUT A MASSAGE FOR HIS ACHING SHOULDERS?

>> Mike: YEAH, CAN YOU-- >> YOU DON'T WANT TO GO THERE.

[laughing] Captioning provided by KCPT Television.

Captioning byCaptionMax www.captionmax.com >> announcer: PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR RARE VISIONS AND ROADSIDE REVELATIONS HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN PART BY SPRINT, COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY, CONNECTING YOU TO THE WORLD.