The biggest ball of twine in Minnesota is in Darwin, about an hour and a half west of Minneapolis. Really.
The ball is inside a plexiglass pagoda to protect it from the weather and the visitors. I have always wondered what it smelled like. I hate to think I may never know.
The allure of the twine is that it exists. Seriously – some guy rolled twine into a huge ball. One guy! On purpose!
I’m not sure if the ball started small and just got out of control, or if he was sitting around in Minnesota and thought what the world was missing was a big twine ball.
How do you know when you are finished with a giant ball of twine? Think about it, really imagine it. This is a man’s life work! The whole idea is just fascinating, isn’t it?! Although fascinating in an “My favorite show is Hoarders!” sort of way.
After you are finished checking out the majesty of the ball, there is a notebook inside of a mailbox you should grab. It functions as a guestbook, and you can write your name and a short note if you like. I did each and every time I visited. There’s also a visitors center there, but it was always closed during my visits. I think I like it better that way. It can exist in my imagination as a magical land of tiny twine souvenirs.
It was made famous by the Wierd Al song of the same name, basically making fun of a family who traveled there for their vacation. I have never been a huge fan of Wierd Al, but if he ever writes a follow-up he might want to write about me.
I didn’t just visit the twine, the ball became my dating litmus test. If a guy went with me, didn’t think it was ridiculous, AND we had fun then (and only then) I would continue the relationship. Screw up, and you are out. I did that three times, choosing not to continue dating two of them. The third one I married. He drew a Texas flag in the guest book. I knew we were golden.
I also dragged my brother in law out to Darwin to see the ball of twine. Partially because I had a new baby and a house full of family, but also because he has a fun personality and I wanted to share the quirkiness. To his credit, he didn’t complain once. He’s a marine though. I think they train them to keep their mouth shut.
I’ve been to see the ball of twine numerous times. Numerous as in too many to count. Now that I live in Texas it is a little harder to swing by on a sleepy Saturday, but the next trip to Minneapolis it is on like Donkey Kong!
What about you – any weird roadside attraction that you are drawn to?