In my RV travels, I look for the unusual. The things that make you go what, how can that be? Things you have a hard time explaining or believing until you experience it yourself. This world is full of the unusual and amazing. Here are my 8 favourite unusual places I have found in my RV travels.
Thrombolites of Newfoundland
On the northern shores of Newfoundland, there lies a most unusual shoreline. When you look upon the shore, it almost seems as if there are waves of white rock reaching towards the ocean. Fingers crawling towards the swelling waves. As we soon found out, it was much more than that.
What we were looking at was actually a colony of microorganisms. Living rock, they call it. The earliest form of life on earth, Thrombolites, are found in only 2 places on earth. Here in Newfoundland and in Hamelin Pond, Shark Bay, Australia.
A path led you to the shore where you could walk upon them. I almost felt bad knowing it was a living breathing entity. It was also unusual knowing that I was standing on an organism that, in the beginning, 3.5 billion to 650 million years ago, these were the only life forms on earth.
As you looked closer, it was almost as if when you stepped on them, they would feel squishy under your feet. The “rock” looked porous with cracks running through them. They are only visible at low tide and are completely covered at high tide. What an amazing, unusual creature.
Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
Newfoundland is filled with unusual and unique places. The colors of St. John’s and the only original Viking Village on the continent are just a few. The beauty and uniqueness of Gros Morne National Park are not to be out done.
Can you imagine a time when there were no Appalachian Mountains? The Appalachian Mountain range runs from Newfoundland, Canada, to Central Alabama in the United States. The Appalachian mountains were formed 500 million years ago when two titanic plates collided far beneath the earths crust. The Titanic plates pushed the earth’s mantle through the crust to the land formation we enjoy today.
At Gros Morne National Park, you can still see that mantle. Only visible in a few places in the world, this fascinating part of the earth is a part you can touch.
A red soil that felt more like pebbles than soil. Very little grows here. A path leads up into what looks like a large crevice in this expanse of a piece of the earth’s soul. There is a dramatic line where the forest starts and the mantle begins. Life looks like it needs to struggle to survive in this geological wonder. There are few plants and almost no sound. It was an intriguing adventure to a very unique place.
Brent Crater Algonquin Park, Ontario
Algonquin Park in central Ontario holds a special, unique place. Brent Crater is a shining example of what happens when space meets earth. Brent Crater is a bowl shaped 1400-foot hole in the ground. Made from an impact 450 million years ago of a meteorite.
The meteorite 150 meters (495 feet) in diameter travelling at least 11km/sec or 3600 km/hr (2236 mph) created what is now Brent Crater. The road leading into the creator is a dirt road leading a path down to a whole new adventure. You will travel 43 km until you reach the bottom. Just an FYI, you will lose cell service at the 13 km mark.
As you wind your way down the crater, there are many trails that you can stop to take a walk and a lookout tower that will give you a beautiful view of the rim of the crater.
A beautiful little campground nestled at the bottom with its own small town and a rich logging history of its own. I was so enthralled with this unique landmark I have been back a few times. Will probably go back a few more. There is so much wonder to explore.
The Boat on the Brink
Niagara Falls. One of the seven wonders of the world sits on the border of Ontario and New York. It’s fascinating in its own right. The horseshoe falls move over 3100 tons of water over her brink every second. The raging river pushing that water can move up to 109 km/h (68 mph) as it rushes to make a spectacular splash. At the brink of the falls is a boat. Stuck on rocks since 1918 it halls battled that river for over 100 years.
In August of 1918, two men were operating the flat bottomed boat farther up the Niagara River. The boat breaking loose from its tow vehicle started heading for the brink of the falls. One quick thinking gentleman opened the bottom of the boat and managed to get it caught in the shallow but fast-moving rapids only 600 meters (1900 feet) from the brink of the falls.
The rescue would take two days and some masterful engineering. The iron scow has been there ever since.
In 2019, a strong storm broke the scow into three pieces and inched it closer to the brink. They say that with every push from the raging river, it gets a little closer to going over the edge. It’s hard to say how much longer it will be there. It is an incredible story of strength against all odds. Check out this blog for all the juicy details.
Lake George Mystery Spot
My favourite travelling app is Atlas Obscura. I find so many interesting, beautiful, and unusual places on that app. Lake George Mystery Spot is one of them.
In New York State, in the beautiful town of Lake George, is a spot that defies sound. It’s not a big spot, just one small spot where the sound changes for no reason.
Behind the visitors center on the side of Lake George is a raised circle platform. In the middle, X marks the spot. When you stand on this spot, the sound of your voice changes, but you are the only one who can hear the change. It is almost a tinny echo. Take a step just off the spot, and the sound is no longer there.
No one knows why this happens. There are few theories, but the one I like best is the local Native legend of an ancient god speaking his wisdom in this spot, and it is his echo you hear. Check it out on my yiurtube channel here.
If you are near Lake George New York. Make a stop and listen to a most unusual echo.
Screaming Heads, Burke Falls, Ontario
Screaming Heads in Burke’s Falls is the creative genius of retired art teacher Peter Camini. Built on his property for the public to wander through at no cost (there is a donation box) is a myriad of cement sculptures the artists have named Screaming Heads.
As you walk through the acres of sculptures, they seem to scream a story. Inspired by the druids, the artist both lives and works in the Midlothian Castle. Hand built this castle is extraordinary in its peaceful yet screaming architecture.
A perfect entrance for what you are about to experience walking through the screaming Heads sculptures. Screaming heads of all shapes and sizes begin to appear as you walk through fields. A peaceful yet chaotic surrender. At times, the large sculptures seem to surround you, and the next welcome you.
This unusual experience is well worth the trip to Burke’s Falls.
The Fictional Town of Spectre
On my favourite island in Alabama is a most unusual town. The Fictional Town of Spectre sits quietly on Jackson Lake Island and is the creation of Tim Burton for the movie The Big Fish.
I will confess I am not a movie watcher. I came across what looked like an abandoned town while out on a walk with the goats exploring the island. Walking up the main street, I saw what appeared to be abandoned houses, a church, and a line with tied shoes on it. How peculiar???
A sign on the opposite side I started on, of course, told the story of the Fictional Town of Spectre and the dark forest. In the movie, a young man finds the mystical town of Spectre after travelling through the dark forest. A town filled with tranquility and no one wears shoes.
Walking through the town, you can feel the mystical presence of a Tim Burton classic. Walking into town, you almost want to take off your shoes. People come from all over the world to see this fictional little town. Check out all the details in this blog.
What a truly unusual find on this beautiful little island in Alabama.
The Miniature Castles of Vermont
On a small island in Vermont lies a particularly unusual gem. Hidden along the roadways, you can find, if you look carefully, little miniature castles made in the early 1900s by a man named Harry Barber. A recent immigrant from Switzerland he held many jobs over the years. Settling in South Hero, he became a proficient gardener.
As a gift to his customers, he creates these adorable little castles that pay tribute to his homeland. Scattered throughout the town, these charming replicas are sure to leave you in awe with their intricate details. Some of them feature working drawbridges and moats with flagstones. They are amazing pieces of art that truly must be seen.
Worth noting nearby is a birdhouse forest. The trees are dotted with hundreds of different colour birdhouses. If you are in the area be sure to check this unusual collection out.
I could only pick 8, and that was hard. There are so many strange and unusual things and places in this world. Whether made by man or nature, the world is a beautiful, unusual place.
Thanks for coming along on my Chipmunk Adventure. Make sure to check out my services pages and subscribe on the home page to receive your subscribers discount.
Chipmunk
Love this blog! I can always use a coffee. Thanks for supporting my blog and my coffee habit.
Chipmunk's RV Life 