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The Two RV Gypsies drove around
Kingsport and Bristol, Tennessee
to photograph big roadside attractions
and out of proportion landmarks
May 28, 2013

Below: Giant Skinny Indian at Pratt's Barn, 1225 E. Stone Drive, Kingsport, TN

Kingsport's Indian is at least 30 feet tall. He's been the mascot for Pratt's Restaurant for over 40 years. The local high school teams are "The Indians," so the big brave is an icon of local pride.

The Indian has a rigid pose and is held upright by an external frame across his back. His lack of clothes would freeze any real mountain-dwelling Tennessee Indian, and his big, shiny, black shoes would be useless on the forest trails. Perhaps this Indian is one in transition, just starting his new wardrobe. He seems to be staring at the giant snacks across the street and his hands look ready to grasp the white man's bounty.
above quote from http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/1221

Giant Indian statue

Kingsport, Tennessee: Big Fries, Hot Dog, Shake Giant fast food replicas are part of the rooftop decor at this drive-thru restaurant.

Big Fries, Hot Dog, Shake Giant fast food replicas

Purple Cow Subs and Burgers

This drive-thru burger joint had one cow by the side of the road, and three cows in front of the building. There was also a giant Hot Dog getting ready to squirt ketchup and mustard on himself, and looking quite pleased about doing it.

white cow with purple stripes
The Purple Cow food joint & three cows
Hot Dog Man squirting ketchup on himself

Below: The Welcome to Bristol sign was one of the nicest city signs the two RV Gypsies have ever seen. The same goes for the Kingsport water tower shown below.

Welcome to Bristol Tennessee sign TN map showing location of Bristol

Bristol is in Sullivan County, TN. It is the twin city of Bristol, Virginia, which lies directly across the state line between Tennessee and Virginia. boundary between the two cities is also the state line. Bristol is probably best known for being the site of some of the first commercial recordings of country music. The U.S, Congress recognized Bristol as the "Birthplace of Country Music" in 1998 and has a museum of the same title. Bristol is the birthplace of Tennessee Ernie Ford. Bristol is also the site of Bristol Motor Speedway, a NASCAR short track that is one of the most well-known motorsports facilities in the country.

Bristol Tennessee water tower Bristol Tennessee water tower

Bristol, Tennessee: Building Shaped like a Guitar

The "Grand Guitar" once contained a music museum, but that is now closed and the uniquely-shaped building is aging. Located on I-81 North but easily visible from the rest stop on I-81 South, this guitar-shaped building displays a sign for Grand Guitar. Best photo opportunity is across the highway at the rest stop. The Guitar-shaped store is now closed and looks a bit sad now; its strings are broken and hanging down to the ground and some of its windows are broken.

big guitar in Tennessee
big guitar in Tennessee

Blountville, Tennessee: UFO And Aliens in Yard

Located at the corner of Blountville Boulevard and Birch Street on the north side of Birch Street, in the fenced yard of the first house in which is Private property, but visible from street. When The Two RV Gypsies took the photo shown below, two small dogs in the fenced yard were yapping their heads off.

The flying saucer and its friendly crew were built by the owner of the house, Bob Moore. He also built a missile that sits across the street. Bob passed away in April 2011, but his family plans to keep the saucer. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/location/tn

UFO and aliens in Tennessee

NOTE: For more big oddities that The Two RV Gypsies have photographed, use the TOC button above and then choose the red "Big Oddities" button - but first, please continue on with the sub-menu below for more adventures of The Two RV Gypsies in Tennessee.

Menu for the two RV Gypsies Adventures in Tennessee
You may visit these five sites in any order you choose, then on to KY.

Oddities in Bristol/Kingsport

Bristol/Kingsport KOA

Doe Rive and a Covered Bridge
in Elizabethton

Blue Hole Falls,
Carter County

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, Elizabethton, TN

look below

go to the next adventure of the Two RV GypsiesAFTER you have visited all five sites above,
please continue on the the adventures of the two RV Gypsies in Kentucky