>> 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.

♪ ♪ >> THIS VEHICLE'S SO NEW, IT PROBABLY HASN'T ENCOUNTERED-- >> Randy: MM-MM.

>> ELK AND ALL THOSE VARMINTS AND SUCH THAT ARE OUT THERE.

I'M GOING TO DO JUST A QUICK, LITTLE ELK MATING CALL, JUST TO KIND OF HIP THE VEHICLE.

[low, grumbling moan] [high-pitched whine] >> Don: DEAR TV MAILBAG, SHOULD THAT BE A WEASEL CALL?

HI, DON THE CAMERA GUY HERE, CRAMMED, I FEAR, IN THE BACK OF THIS NEW VEHICLE WITH ALL THE SPACE OF THE OLD AND LESS.

GOOD THING THE RIGHT REVEREND DWIGHT IS LAYING SOME COSMIC PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE UPON US.

>> THIS INSTRUMENT I HAVE HERE IS A ZWOOM.

I CALL IT A ZWOOM BECAUSE IT CREATES A LONG, LOW FUNDAMENTAL BASED ON ITS LENGTH, WHICH-- THIS ONE IS THE SIX-FOOT ONE.

IT'S THE MINIVAN-SIZED ONE.

SO WHAT I'M HOPING TO DO IS TO SURROUND THIS MINIVAN WITH THESE AUDITORY LOW TONES THAT WILL WORK NOT ONLY TO EXORCISE THE PETROL DEMONS BUT WILL ALSO BLESS THE VAN.

OKAY, THE OTHER SIDE.

[auditory low tone] >> Don: IF DWIGHT'S GOT OUR MOJO WORKING, WE'LL FIND OUT SOON ENOUGH, SINCE STOP NUMBER ONE IS BARELY MORE THAN AN HOUR AWAY.

NOW, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH MARSHALL BEFORE, BUT NOT SINCE THIS CIVIC TRIBUTE TO ITS MOST FAMOUS NATIVE SON SPRANG UP DOWNTOWN.

BACK IN THE '30s, JIM THE WONDER DOG DAZZLED CROWDS WITH HIS UNCANNY KNACK FOR DOING ALL KINDS OF AMAZING THINGS, LIKE PICKING KENTUCKY DERBY WINNERS, FOLLOWING ORDERS IN FOREIGN TONGUES, AND, ACCORDING TO THE SIGNS, MORE OR LESS KNOWING WHAT YOU WERE THINKING.

>> I'VE HAD PEOPLE SAY, "WELL, HE WAS PRETTY NEAR HUMAN."

NO, I CAN'T AGREE WITH THAT.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT JIM DID, A HUMAN COULDN'T DO.

I COULDN'T LOOK HIM IN THE EYE.

HE WOULD STARE YOU DOWN.

>> Mike: WELL, NOW, I'VE HEARD THAT; HE WOULD STARE YOU DOWN.

>> YEAH, JUST STARE YOU DOWN, JUST LOOK AT YOU-- AND YOU WOULD SWEAR UP AND DOWN HE WAS READING YOUR MIND, AND YOU DIDN'T WANT THAT.

>> Randy: BUT PICKING KENTUCKY DERBY WINNERS COULD DO YOU A LOT OF GOOD.

>> Mike: YOU COULD MAKE SOME MONEY ON THAT.

>> AND THAT WAS ONE THING THAT, OF COURSE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, MR. VanARSDALE WAS APPROACHED SEVERAL TIMES, AND HE ABSOLUTELY REFUSED TO LET THE DOG BE USED COMMERCIALLY.

HE WOULD USE HIM ONLY AS-- >> Randy: ONLY FOR GOOD.

>> ONLY FOR THE GOOD, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Randy: WAS SOMEONE TRYING TO BREED ANOTHER JIM?

THAT'S WHAT I WANT--IS IT IN A LABORATORY SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY'RE TRYING TO CREATE A SECOND JIM?

>> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

BUT I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS OTHER DOGS IN THAT LITTER THAT HE CAME FROM, AND THEY WERE JUST PLAIN DOGS.

[dog panting] >> Randy: SO DO YOU THINK JIM WOULD HAVE LIKED TO COME OVER HERE AND USE ONE OF THESE FLOWERS?

>> [laughs] I THINK SO.

>> Randy: LEAVE A LITTLE MARK ON A BUSH?

HERE, BOY.

>> Don: NOW, AS WONDER DOGS GO, JIM WAS NO PRIMA DONNA-- LAID-BACK AND FRIENDLY, BELOVED BY ALL.

>> Mike: HEY, HEY, OFF THE LEG.

>> Don: WHICH HELPS EXPLAIN WHY, EVEN TODAY, FRESH FLOWERS APPEAR DAILY ON HIS GRAVE IN THE CEMETERY ACROSS TOWN.

BUT YOU WON'T SEE THAT HERE, SINCE ALL OF A SUDDEN, ONE OF THOSE HIGHLY PAID PRODUCERS REALIZED WE'RE ALREADY BEHIND SCHEDULE AND DECIDED WE SHOULD START MAKING HASTE ACROSS MISSOURI, HEADING EAST TOWARDS ONE OF THOSE OVERLY FAMILIAR LANDMARKS THAT I'VE BEEN WARNED ABOUT BEFORE.

>> Mike: OH, NO, DON'T SHOOT THE ARCH.

>> Don: THIS WOULD BE DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS, AND THESE SERPENTS MARK THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY MUSEUM, WHERE WE ONCE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE DARK SIDE OF THE CORN DOG BUT NOT MUCH ABOUT THE PLACE ITSELF.

HERE, WHERE THEY USED TO MAKE MORE SHOES THAN ANY PLACE IN THE WORLD, BOB CASSELLI IS SITTING ON 750,000 SQUARE FEET OF PURE PLAYGROUND POTENTIAL.

[kids squealing] [Mike laughing] >> THE BUILDING WAS BASICALLY VACANT WHEN WE GOT IT.

WHAT WE HAD TO DO IS GET SOME TENANTS IN HERE SO I COULD AFFORD TO SQUANDER THE PROFITS ON THE CITY MUSEUM.

AND SO FIRST THING WE DID WAS MADE IT AN ECONOMICALLY VIABLE BUILDING.

>> Mike: HOW'S THE SQUANDERING GOING?

>> OH, IT TAKES ALL WE CAN SQUANDER ON IT.

WHAT WE'RE BUILDING OVER HERE IS--WE'RE CALLING IT THE "ERECTOR SET FOR BIG BOYS."

WE'RE GOING TO BUILD IT OUT OF FULL-SIZE BRIDGE IRON.

AND WE'LL HAVE CRANES IN HERE.

YOU'LL BE ABLE TO PICK UP CARS.

AND WE BUILT IN AN ELEVATOR THAT GOES UP THREE STORIES ABOVE THE ROOF.

AND WHILE WE HAD THIS $5,000 CRANE THERE, WE DECIDED, "WELL, LET'S GET EVERYTHING ELSE WE REALLY EVER WANTED UP THERE."

AND SO THE BUS WAS TAKING UP PARKING SPACES HERE, AND SO WE SORT OF, YOU KNOW, TOOK IT UP THERE.

WE'D LIKE TO HAVE THE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN DO THE THINGS THAT ARE NORMALLY ILLEGAL.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT KIDS WANT TO DO, SO-- YOU KNOW, IF YOU CAN WALK THROUGH SPACES YOU CAN'T ORDINARILY WALK THROUGH, OR IF YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, GET DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES-- OR YOU CAN TOUCH EVERYTHING.

YOU CAN CLIMB ON EVERYTHING HERE.

AND YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, TEST YOUR FEAR OF HEIGHTS AND THROW WATER BALLOONS OFF THE ROOF.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A BIG DEMAND FOR-- >> Randy: CAN WE DO THAT?

>> THERE'S A PENT-UP DEMAND FOR THROWING WATER BALLOONS OFF THE ROOF.

I CAN--WE CAN THROW TRASH CANS OF WATER OFF THE ROOF.

>> Mike: DID YOU EXPECT THAT, IN THE YEAR 2000, YOU WOULD BE HAULING WATER TO A BUS TO THROW OFF OF A ROOF?

>> NO, NO, MY ADULT LIFE ACTUALLY PICKED UP WHEN I BECAME 50.

>> Mike: YOU KIDS SIT DOWN BACK THERE.

OH, THERE'S SOME.

GO AHEAD, THEY'RE UNEMPLOYED.

>> Mike: HEY!

>> THAT'S LOUISE.

>> Randy: OH, THAT'S HER.

>> Mike: OH, IT JUST DRIFTED AT THE LAST SECOND.

>> WE WERE BUILDING THE LARGEST--THE TALLEST INDOOR CLIMBING WALL IN THE WORLD, AND THAT'S THE TOP OF IT RIGHT THERE.

AND I'M BUILDING THIS BIG DOME, AND THERE'LL BE THIS HUGE TOWER THAT'LL STICK UP 125 FEET THERE-- A LARGE PLESIOSAURUS WHICH'LL MAKE A BRIDGE TO ACTUALLY GO BETWEEN THE TWO.

AND SO IT'LL HAVE THIS-- ALL THESE EVENTS THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, REACH FROM THE TOP OF THE BUILDING.

[object clattering] >> Randy: DOES THE PREVIOUS USE OF THINGS FASCINATE YOU, OR IS IT ONLY WHAT THEY DO NOW?

>> OH, NO, I LIKE TO USE WHATEVER'S AT HAND, SO IT GIVES A PATINA OF THINGS.

LIKE, NORMALLY, IF YOU DESIGN SOMETHING, IT COMES FROM, LIKE, INSIDE AN ARCHITECT'S BRAIN.

AND THAT'S SORT OF, BASICALLY, A VACUUM.

AND THERE'S NOTHING IN MY BRAIN, SO I USE WHATEVER COMES ALONG, AND THAT'S THE STIMULUS YOU USE TO, YOU KNOW, DO THIS STUFF.

SO THAT'S WHY IT'S UN-REPRODUCIBLE, BECAUSE ALL THE STUFF IS BEING BUILT WITH WHAT'S AT HAND AT THE MOMENT, SO IT ONLY EXISTS IN TIME AND SPACE WHEN THE STARS ARE ALIGNED JUST NOW.

AND SO WE TRY TO USE THESE THINGS WHICH ORDINARILY CAN'T BE USED TOGETHER IN WAYS YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT.

AND HOPEFULLY, IT GETS YOU TO THINK IN A WAY YOU WOULDN'T NORMALLY THINK.

WHAT WE DO HERE IS KIND OF AN OLD-FASHIONED THING.

IT'S--YOU KNOW, IT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF PLAYING ON VACANT LOTS, OR IT'S, YOU KNOW, BUILDING STUFF AND EXPLORING STUFF.

IT'S SIMPLE.

>> Don: BOB LIKES TO CALL CITY MUSEUM A "COMPUTER-FREE ZONE," THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE KIDS AND THE TERMINALLY IMMATURE CAN STILL SLIP, SLIDE, AND SCREAM TO THEIR HEARTS' CONTENT.

>> THERE'S A NICHE FOR SOMETHING THAT NOBODY ELSE IS DOING, SO-- AND THERE'S ALSO DEMAND FOR SOMETHING YOU CAN'T GET ANYWHERE ELSE.

SO WE FOUNDED IT.

[kids squealing] >> Randy: NOTHING TO IT.

>> Don: THE BREAKING OF A NEW DAY FINDS US NOW IN THE LAND OF LINCOLN, WHOSE PRESENCE MANIFESTS ITSELF IN MANY WAYS, THOUGH SOME SAY THE ODDEST IS A GIANT LIKENESS OF THE GREAT EMANCIPATOR SO FRIGHTENING, IT'S BEEN EMANCIPATED AWAY FROM PUBLIC VIEW.

AND IT WOULD APPEAR WE'RE HAVING LITTLE LUCK FINDING IT OURSELVES.

>> Mike: HELL IF I KNOW.

>> Randy: THE CAMPGROUND WAS BACK THERE.

THAT'S WHY I TRIED TO TURN.

>> Mike: IT WAS BACK THERE?

>> Randy: YEAH.

>> Mike: OH, WELL, THEN TURN AROUND, GOD, BY ALL MEANS.

SHALL WE ASK THIS MAN IN THE TRUCK?

>> Randy: YOUR MOM'S GOING TO LOVE THIS PART OF THE SHOW, MIKEY.

>> Mike: SHE--OH!

THERE IT IS, WHOA!

>> Randy: OH, THERE IT IS.

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, OH.

>> Don: HE'S BIG, HE'S UGLY AND DOES SEEM TO BE MAKING A MOST UNPOLITICAL GESTURE, BUT UNLESS I MOUNT THE PIT SHACK, THIS IS THE BEST VIEW YOU'RE GOING TO GET.

AND BESIDES, THE BOYS SAY WE'RE NEEDED IN ARCOLA ANYWAY.

IT'S A SMALL ILLINOIS TOWN BEST KNOWN FOR ITS AMISH POPULATION, FOR SPAWNING RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY, AND MOST INTRIGUING TO US, AS THE SITE OF THE ONLY HIPPIE MEMORIAL IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Randy: THE ONE AND ONLY.

>> Don: SEEMS SOME YEARS BACK, ONE ARTISTIC ARCOLAN NAMED BOB MOOMAW BEGAN SCULPTING HIS POSITIVE VIBRATIONS ABOUT PEACE, LOVE, AND THE WOODSTOCK GENERATION OUT OF CAR PARTS AND SCRAP METAL.

BOB'S GONE NOW, BUT THANKS TO HIS FRIEND GUS KELSEY, THE SCULPTURE HAS BEEN RECLAIMED, SPIFFED UP, AND GIVEN A SIGN THAT DECLARES ITS INTENTIONS TO THE WORLD.

>> THIS THING STANDS FOR BOB MOOMAW'S LIFE.

THE LOW POINTS HERE ARE THE BEGINNING OF HIS LIFE, WHERE HE FELT SUPPRESSED AND COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE HOLE.

AND HE FELT LIKE A LITTLE MAN IN A CAVE THREE FOOT TALL.

AND THE NEXT TWO REPRESENT THE '60s AND THE '70s, WHEN, AS AN ARTIST, HE WAS ABLE TO EXPRESS HIMSELF.

THEN THE REAGAN YEARS FOLLOW, AND THAT'S WHEN--HE QUIT BUILDING THE MEMORIAL AT THAT POINT.

>> Randy: AND YOUR NAME IS RIGHT THERE ON IT.

>> MY NAME IS ON THERE BECAUSE BOB BUILT THE TOP AND I BUILT THE BOTTOM.

YEAH, THE WHOLE THING'S PRETTY PERSONAL.

I TOOK A LOT OF FLAK FOR IT.

AND I THINK NOW PEOPLE ARE SAYING, "WELL, MAYBE THAT WASN'T QUITE SUCH A PIECE OF JUNK ANYWAY."

>> SOME LIKE IT, AND SOME REALLY DON'T LIKE IT, BUT IT'S REALLY DRAWN A LOT OF PEOPLE TO THIS AREA.

I'VE EVEN COME OUT HERE AND SEEN PEOPLE--THEY STAND UP.

THEY GET UP ON THE BACK TO HAVE THEIR PICTURE TAKEN BY IT.

ONE DAY, I CAME OUT, AND ACTUALLY, IT WAS A COUPLE OF--I THINK THEY WERE MORMON MISSIONARIES, IF THAT'S THE CORRECT TERM--WANTED THEIR PICTURES TAKEN RIGHT WITH IT.

>> Don: NOW, UNLIKE THOSE MISSIONARIES, OUR POSITION IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

INSTEAD OF TAKING PHOTOS, WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE SOME... OF OURSELVES IN KINDER, GENTLER, HAIRIER TIMES.

AFTER ALL, THIS IS A WORK-IN-PROGRESS.

>> I DO WANT TO CONTINUE BUILDING ON THIS, AND I WANT TO PUT A FLAGPOLE OVER THERE WITH THE HIPPIE MEMORIAL FLAG, AND THREE NEON PEACE SIGNS TWIRLING ON TOP OF IT.

I'M JUST WAITING FOR MORE MONEY.

WHENEVER I GET MORE--I'M SELLING T-SHIRTS, AND AS THE T-SHIRTS GO AND THE WEBSITE GETS UP, WHICH IS www.hippiememorial.com.

>> Mike: HOW ARE THOSE HIPPIES GOING TO REMEMBER ALL THOSE Ws?

>> UH... >> Don: IT APPEARED GUS MIGHT NEVER ANSWER THAT QUESTION, SO WE TRIED ANOTHER INSTEAD: HOW ABOUT SOME CATCH?

THAT GRASSY KNOLL JUST ACROSS THE STREET HAS IMPROMPTU RECREATION WRITTEN ALL OVER IT.

>> Randy: HOW OFTEN DOES A TV CREW COME AND PLAY CATCH WITH YOU HERE?

>> ALMOST NEVER.

>> Mike: OH!

>> Randy: YEAH, BUT, YOU KNOW, BROKAW CAN'T THROW ANYMORE.

>> OH, HE'S A PUSS.

>> Randy: YEAH.

>> Don: NOW, MARY FROM THE CHAMBER WANTS YOU TO KNOW THAT RIGHT NEXT DOOR, ARCOLA'S ALSO GOT THE WORLD'S LARGEST BROOM COLLECTION.

FASCINATING AS THAT MAY BE, THIS IS WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE.

OF COURSE, I'M BOUND TO GO GRUBLESS, SINCE WHILE WE'RE HERE, THE BOYS SAY THERE'S STILL ONE MORE THING TO SEE.

AT FIRST GLANCE, ROCKOME GARDENS APPEARS TO BE A KIND OF AMISH THEME PARK, WITH BUGGY RIDES AND QUAINT COUNTRY CRAFTS.

BUT AT ITS CORE LIES A TRUE GRASSROOTS ART CREATION, A SPRAWLING ROCK GARDEN THAT SPRAWLS ACROSS SOME 15 ACRES.

>> MR. MARTIN, THE ONE WHO STARTED THIS BACK IN THE '40s, HE WANTED TO MAKE HIS FENCES AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT ALL OUT OF ROCK.

AND HE HAD PLENTY OF CASH AND PLENTY OF VISION ON HOW TO MAKE THESE FENCES, AND THAT'S WHAT HE DID.

AND YOU SEE DIFFERENT STYLES OVER THERE AND THIS STYLE, AND THEN THERE'S SOME OUT ALONG THE ROAD.

AND WE'LL SEE DIFFERENT STYLES ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

SEE, ALL THESE ROCKS HERE ARE MADE OF--ARE JUST ROCKS FROM THE LOCAL FIELDS THAT THEY PULLED OUT OF THE FIELDS BACK IN THE 1800s, WHERE THERE'S PLOWING.

AND HE HAD TO BUST UP THESE ROCKS BY HAND.

AND MR. MARTIN ALSO LOVED FLOWERS, AND THAT'S WHY HE-- THAT'S ALL THE FLOWER BEDS.

AND HE LIKED THE BASKETS.

>> Randy: AND THIS CROSS WITH THE BROKEN GLASS-- >> RIGHT, UH-HUH.

>> Randy: IS REALLY SOMETHING.

THAT'S A PIECE OF WORK.

>> HE USED SOME BROKEN GLASS FOR--INSTEAD OF ROCK WORK.

AND THEN SEE THE HEART?

THAT'S BEEN SETTING THERE FOR-- THE HEART AND THE ARROW THROUGH IT.

AND THAT--I BET THERE'S PROBABLY BEEN, YOU KNOW, HALF A MILLION PEOPLE GOT THEIR PICTURE.

AND THEN STUFF LIKE THIS.

YOU KNOW, MOST PEOPLE WOULDN'T GO TO THIS ELABORATE THING JUST TO PROVIDE SOMETHING FOR HIS OWN ENJOYMENT.

BUT HE GOT IT TOO BIG.

PEOPLE STARTED TO COME OUT TO LOOK AT IT BECAUSE IT WAS SO--YOU KNOW, TOOK IN SO MUCH AREA AND WAS SO DIFFERENT.

AND THAT'S WHEN HE KIND OF MADE IT INTO A TOURIST ATTRACTION.

REALLY, HE WASN'T TOO INTERESTED IN DOING THAT, NECESSARILY.

BUT THEN MY DAD BOUGHT IT IN '58, AND THAT'S WHEN WE KIND OF WORKED AT IT AND TRIED TO MAKE IT INTO A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WOULD COME TO VISIT.

>> Don: WHICH BRINGS US TO ROCKOME'S OTHER MAIN CLAIM TO FAME, OR SO IT SEEMS TO US: THE ONE-OF-A-KIND HOUSE O' FRESCA BOTTLES, BUILT BACK IN 1968.

>> Randy: NOW, WHY FRESCA?

>> WELL, JUST BECAUSE THE COCA-COLA COMPANY QUIT MAKING FRESCA, AND THEY HAD A LOT OF BOTTLES.

>> Randy: DO YOU DRINK A LOT OF FRESCA?

>> NO.

I DID WHEN I WAS YOUNG, WHEN I WAS A KID, SURE, BUT-- >> Randy: THESE ARE THE PROBING QUESTIONS WE FEEL AMERICA WANTS TO KNOW.

>> Mike: AMERICA WANTS TO KNOW.

>> Don: OVER THE YEARS, THE PARK'S POP ARCHITECTURE HAS GROWN EVEN MORE GRANDIOSE.

BUT AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, JUST MOWING AROUND THIS STUFF IS A FULL-TIME OCCUPATION.

[mower rumbling] AND WE LEFT ROCKOME WITH MORE RESPECT THAN EVER FOR FOLKS LIKE MR. MARTIN, WHO JUST CAN'T SEEM TO STOP CREATING.

AND WE JUST CAN'T STOP DRIVING-- [cow moos] TURNING NORTH NOW TOWARDS BLOOMINGTON--THAT WOULD BE ILLINOIS, NOT INDIANA--IN SEARCH OF THE SUCCINCTLY-NAMED D BILL, A CARVER WHOSE YARD BEARS WITNESS TO HIS WAY WITH WOOD.

>> SEE, I DID 45 THIS WINTER.

THEY'RE CRAZY, BUT THAT'S WHAT I TRY TO DO.

>> Randy: WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO TRY TO DO CRAZY?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

I RETIRED IN '82 AND-- SOMETHING TO DO IN THE WINTER.

I CAN'T WORK OUT IN THE COLD WEATHER, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NO HEAT IN THE GARAGE.

IT'S SOMETHING TO DO IN THE WINTER.

>> Randy: SO THESE WERE ALL, LIKE, PHONE POLES AND POWER POLES?

>> THE OLD LIGHT POLES.

>> Randy: THE OLD LIGHT POLES.

>> CORN BELT ELECTRIC AND I.P.L.

POLES.

>> Randy: DIFFERENT WOODS?

>> HMM?

>> Randy: ARE THESE DIFFERENT WOODS?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.

>> Randy: OH, GOOD, BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT WOULD MEAN IT WAS A REALLY DUMB QUESTION I JUST ASKED.

>> YEAH, A LOT OF THEM ARE 50 YEARS OLD.

>> Mike: YOU USUALLY DON'T CUT THESE WITH AN ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW OR ANYTHING?

>> NO, IT'S ALL DONE WITH A HATCHET.

>> Randy: ALL DONE WITH A HATCHET.

>> YEAH, CRAFTSMAN HATCHET.

YOU CAN'T BEAT A CRAFTSMAN.

MY HOURS ARE DIFFERENT THAN ANYBODY ELSE'S.

I GET UP AT MIDNIGHT, ALWAYS DO.

AND I QUIT AT 2:30 IN THE AFTERNOON.

I GO TO BED AROUND 5:30 EVERY NIGHT.

>> Randy: SO WE'RE GOING TO BE KEEPING HIM UP PRETTY SOON.

>> NO, NO, NO, I CAN--I WORKED NIGHTS ALL MY LIFE, SEE?

>> Don: MAKING HEADS WITH MULTIPLE NOSES AND PICASSO-ESQUE SWIRLS IS NOT WHAT THIS MR. BILL WAS TRAINED TO DO.

BUT WORKING ALL THOSE YEARS AT CATERPILLAR DID TEACH HIM THIS: BEFORE YOU START CHOPPING, PUT IT DOWN ON PAPER.

>> I KEEP AHEAD OF TIME WHAT DIAMETER POLE I HAVE ON MY STACK IN HERE.

>> Randy: UH-HUH.

>> SO I KNOW WHERE TO PUT MY LINES AT.

AND THEY'VE GOTTA COME OUT RIGHT.

>> Randy: NOW, THAT MUST BE PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT TO DO.

>> NO, NO, IT'S--IF YOU DRAW IT UP, IT'S GOT TO COME OUT RIGHT.

IT'S 7/8 OF AN INCH.

THEY'VE GOT TO COME OUT RIGHT.

TAKES ABOUT THREE DAYS TO DO IT, MAKE A HEAD.

>> Randy: TO DO JUST ONE.

>> MM-HMM.

SOMETHING TO DO IN THE WINTER.

>> Randy: DOES IT KEEP YOU YOUNG?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT, BUT I FEEL BETTER THAT WAY.

IT'S NO JOB; IT'S-- >> Mike: SOMETHING TO DO IN THE WINTER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Don: AS SHORT ON NAMES AS D BILL MAY BE, HE'S CERTAINLY LONG ON VIGOR, SOMETHING THAT, BY NOW, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF HERE.

HOW'S THIS LIGHTING?

EVEN MY PERPETUAL FOUNTAIN OF WITTY BANTER IS STARTING TO DRY UP.

SO AS MORE OF THE ILLINOIS COUNTRYSIDE GOES FLYING BY, I SAY, "TAKE FIVE.

SMOKE 'EM IF YOU GOT 'EM."

>> Mike: AH, THIS IS THE PERFECT WAY TO START THE DAY.

>> Randy: IN SOMEBODY'S KITCHEN.

>> Mike: YEAH, SOMEBODY ELSE'S COFFEE.

>> Don: LEAVE IT TO WEASELS TO GET SOMETHING FREE WHENEVER AND WHEREVER THEY CAN.

AND TODAY, IT'S HERE IN THE COZY CONFINES OF WHAT WAS ONCE KNOWN AS THE JUBILEE ROCK GARDEN.

IN DAYS GONE BY, IT WAS A GENUINE ROADSIDE ATTRACTION, BUILT BY ONE BILL NOTZKE ON HIS DAIRY FARM NEAR PEORIA.

>> Mike: THERE USED TO BE SOME OTHER STRUCTURES HERE, A BIG BARN AND-- >> REAL NICE ART DECO BARN THAT HE BUILT.

HE DIDN'T HAVE THE COWS, BUT HE PROCESSED THE MILK AND MADE COTTAGE CHEESE AND ICE CREAM.

>> Mike: SO HE BOUGHT MILK FROM AREA FARMERS, AND THEY BROUGHT IT.

BUT HE WASN'T ACTUALLY-- >> NO.

>> Mike: GROWING THE MILK HIMSELF, SO TO SPEAK.

>> YEAH.

>> Mike: FARM BOY, HA-HA-HA.

>> Randy: COME HERE.

BRING ME THAT STICKY.

>> THIS IS THE HIGHEST POINT IN PEORIA COUNTY.

HE THOUGHT HE WAS DOING THE ONLY THREE-DIMENSIONAL GROTTO, WITH THE HEIGHT, THE WIDTH, AND DEPTH.

HE DID THIS SIDE FIRST, AND THEN ON THE FAR SIDE OF IT, HE'S GOT, LIKE, YELLOW CUT GLASS DIAMOND-SHAPED THINGS INTO IT.

SO HE GOT A LITTLE MORE INTRICATE ON THAT SIDE.

IT'S AN ODDITY.

>> Randy: IS THERE A THEME?

DOES IT TELL A STORY?

>> MM-MM.

EVERYBODY THINKS HE WAS A CARD BUFF BECAUSE OF THE HEARTS, DIAMONDS, CLUBS, AND SPADES.

NO.

MY HUSBAND SEEMS TO THINK HE WAS SATANIC BECAUSE OF THE MOONS AND STARS ON THE TOP.

MM-MM, HE WAS OF NO RELIGION.

SOME OF THE TOWNSPEOPLE THINK SHE'S BURIED HERE.

SHE'S NOT.

A LOT OF THE OLD-TIMERS IN BRIMFIELD STILL SAY THEY USED TO COME HERE FOR ICE CREAM.

AND HE WANTED TO HAVE, LIKE, A LITTLE ICE CREAM PARLOR AND A GIFT SHOP AND SHOW HIS ROCKS.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE REALLY INTENDED TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY AT IT, BUT HE HAD TO HAVE A LOT OF MONEY SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE TO TRUCK ALL THESE ROCKS BACK, AND THE TIME.

>> Don: PUTTING THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER HAS MEANT MORE THAN JUST FIXING ROCKS.

TAKE NOTZKE'S MASSIVE ARCHED ENTRY, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR WHICH HE DEVISED A SYSTEM OF LIGHTS BUILT WITH CHICKEN WIRE AND BROKEN WINDSHIELDS.

AT LEAST PASSERSBY DO SEEM TO APPRECIATE WHAT THE DECKERS HAVE DONE WITH THE PLACE.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOUR TWO KINDS: THEY'RE EITHER GOING TO PULL IN, TAKE A QUICK PICTURE, AND THEN HIGHTAIL IT; OR WE'VE HAD THEM AT 7:00 SUNDAY MORNING PULL RIGHT IN, BEAT ON THE BACK DOOR, AND SAY, "HEY, WHAT'S THE STORY?"

AND IT'S LIKE, "GO AWAY."

JOHN HATED THIS PLACE FOR THE FIRST SIX YEARS.

AND HE JUST ACCUSED ME OF "WHAT DID I GET HIM INTO?"

BECAUSE IT WAS JUST SO MUCH WORK.

BUT NOW, I'M READY TO MOVE, AND HE'S LIKE, "NO, I CAN'T LEAVE NOW."

>> Don: BUT OUR METER'S ALWAYS RUNNING, AND RANDY'S OUT ON REFILLS, SO IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S TIME TO TAKE OUR ACT ON THE ROAD AGAIN.

>> Randy: SEE YOU.

>> BYE.

>> Don: THE PLAN AS IT STANDS IS TO MAKE IT TO MAX'S.

THAT WOULD BE MAX NORDEEN'S WHEEL MUSEUM IN WOODHULL, OR, TECHNICALLY SPEAKING, PRETTY MUCH IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

THE BIG WHEEL OUTSIDE MAY NOT BE ROLLING, BUT INSIDE, MAX'S WHEELS ARE TURNING FAST AND FURIOUS.

>> EVERYTHING FROM THIS TEACUP HERE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE END OF THE MIDDLE SHELF, ALL THESE PIECES ARE FROM THE 1893 CHICAGO WORLD'S FAIR.

G.I.s BROUGHT ALL THESE BACK FROM PARIS, FRANCE, AFTER WORLD WAR I, EVERY ONE OF THEM.

THEY'RE ALL MIRRORS.

>> Mike: SAY, THOSE GIRLS ARE ALL NAKED.

>> YES, THEY'RE ALL FROM PARIS, FRANCE, AND THEY'RE ALL MIRRORS, JUST LIKE I GOT THROUGH TELLING YOU.

THIS IS A KNIFE AND FORK OUT OF A CIVIL WAR OFFICER'S MESS KIT.

THIS IS PERSHING, AND HE WAS THE HEAD OF ALL THE ALLIED FORCES IN EUROPE DURING WORLD WAR I.

THERE ARE THREE SEPARATE PIECES OF WOOD INLAID IN THERE.

THIS IS OFF AN ANTIQUE GUN.

HE MADE THIS OUT OF BONE, HAND-CARVED THE BUTT PLATE, CARVED A BORDER AROUND HIS SEAM, AND THEN HE HAND-CARVED AND INLAID ALL THOSE PIECES.

THIS IS THE ONLY ONE LIKE IT IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD.

I TRY TO GET TOGETHER A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE.

I HAVE OWNED THIS PICTURE OF THIS NAKED WOMAN WITH A THIN AFGHAN DRAPED OVER HER FOR PROBABLY 35 YEARS, AND I HAD NO IDEA WHO SHE WAS UNTIL I WALKED INTO WALDEN'S BOOKSTORE IN GALESBURG, AND THERE SHE IS.

SHE WAS WYATT EARP'S THIRD WIFE.

THIS BELL CAME OUT OF A TEMPLE.

clang!

THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE.

THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO WALK IN HERE AND SEE CROCKS, JUGS, FLATIRONS, ROLLING PINS, HORSE CARVINGS ON THE WALLS WITH MIRRORS IN THEM.

THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO SEE AN OLD WALKING PLOW AND A SPINNING WHEEL AND ALL THAT CRAP THEY'VE SEEN HUNDREDS OF TIMES BEFORE, AND THAT'S WHY I CAN'T GET PEOPLE TO COME IN HERE.

THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 1 PERSON OUT OF 20 COME IN TO SEE HIM CAN TELL ME WHAT THAT ANIMAL IS.

WHAT IS THAT ANIMAL?

>> Mike: CARIBOU.

>> THIS IS MY SPARK PUG COLLECTION.

WITH A LITTLE FOOT ON THE BOTTOM OF IT THAT SPINS.

THESE ARE ALL WATCH FOBS ADVERTISING AUTOMOBILES.

HERE'S REGAL, BUICK, CADILLAC, SAXON, NASH, AND WHITE.

EVER SEE AN ELECTRIC MOTOR LIKE THIS ONE?

ISN'T THAT NEAT?

AND THESE ARE COFFEE MILLS.

>> Randy: YOU GET A PRETTY GOOD WORKOUT DOING THIS, DON'T YOU, MAX?

>> OH, YEAH, YEAH, YOU BET.

>> Randy: THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SO LITHE AND LEAN AT AGE WHAT?

>> I'D RATHER NOT SAY.

WELL, THERE COULD ALWAYS BE SOME YOUNG GIRLS OUT THERE THAT MIGHT BE WATCHING THIS.

DID YOU EVER THINK OF THAT?

>> Don: NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, THE WHEEL MUSEUM, LIKE MAX, IS ONE OF A KIND, WITH AN INVENTORY WORTH, WELL, WHATEVER YOU COULD GET SOMEONE TO PAY FOR IT.

BUT THE MONEY ISN'T THE POINT.

>> IF IT'S ALL ON PAPER, ALL YOU GOT IS PAPER, YOU KNOW?

SOME PEOPLE, ALL THEY GOT IS JUST A PIECE OF PAPER TO SHOW THAT THEY GOT THAT MONEY.

WELL, IF THAT'S ALL YOU EVER DO WITH IT, THAT'S ALL IT IS, IS PAPER.

BUT I'VE DONE SOMETHING WITH MINE, AND I'M PROUD OF IT.

I'M REAL PROUD OF IT.

AND THIS SAYS FERDINAND ON IT.

IT'S DATED 1939.

THIS IS THE RCA-VICTOR DOG, AND HE HAD A NAME.

>> Randy: NIPPER.

>> YOU'RE THE 14th PERSON TO TELL ME THAT.

THIS IS A JAW OUT OF A WILD BOAR.

AND THIS IS A PETRIFIED LEECH THAT WAS WASHED UP IN THE GULF OF MEXICO DOWN IN MEXICO.

AND THIS WAS GIVEN AT THE MISS AMERICA PAGEANT IN ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, IN 1927 BY A NEWSPAPER TO MISS IOWA, WHO WAS A RUNNER-UP.

MISS ILLINOIS WON THE CONTEST.

THAT'S A '29 WALLACE TRACTOR, '30 OLIVER TRACTOR... >> Don: AND THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE MAXED OUT.

FROM WHAT I HOPE IS NOT MY FINAL RESTING PLACE, THIS WOULD BE DON THE CAMERA GUY, SIGNING OFF.

Captioning provided by KCPT Television.

Captioning byCaptionMax www.captionmax.com >> Mike: HELLO, G.I.

JOE?

>> Randy: CAN YOU SEND IN BACKUP?

SECTOR "R." >> Mike: SECTOR "R," QUICK.

HEY, WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS THING?

>> Randy: IT DOES SEEM LIKE WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE, DOESN'T IT?

>> Mike: SEEMS LIKE WE'VE SHOT THIS VERY SAME SHOT.

>> Randy: YEAH, JUST A NEWER VAN.

>> Mike: TRAFFIC.

EVERY TIME YOU COME OVER HERE, IT'S JUST ONE BIG ARMPIT OF TRAFFIC.

>> Randy: NOT THAT WE DON'T LIKE ST. LOUIS.

>> Mike: OR BIG ARMPITS.

>> Don: HIPPIE MUSEUM, SEE THAT?

>> Mike: IS THAT MIKE ON?

>> Don: YEAH.

>> Mike: IS IT TURNED ON?

>> Don: YEAH, IT'S TURNED ON.

TURNED ON, TUNED IN, DROPPED OUT.

THEY'D PAY BIG BUCKS FOR THIS IN HOLLYWOOD.

>> Randy: WHAT ARE WE PAYING YOU THESE DAYS?

>> Don: I'M BEING PAID IN SACAJAWEA DOLLARS, IS WHAT I'VE HEARD.

BUT YOU KNOW, IF SHE CAN CARRY THAT BABY FOR LEWIS AND CLARK, I CAN CARRY THIS CAMERA FOR YOU WEASELS.

NO PROBLEM.

>> 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.