October 17…. The Best!

People ask us “where’s the best place you’ve been” or “what was your favorite”.

I have been dreaming about doing a trip like this for many years. Ever since I was a teenager and my family did a round-the-country road trip, I’ve wanted to do one of my own.

Long ago, before I ever put any real thought into a trip, way before I started making any concrete plans, people would ask me “where are you going to go?”.

My answer has ALWAYS been, “I’m going to see the biggest ball of twine”.

So when I started actually planning my epic journey, of course The Biggest Ball of Twine had to be on the list.

Today was the day!

In Cawker City, Kansas, there it was. Right on the side of the road and it even had a place to park the camper. All 8+ million feet and 27+ thousand pounds. Started in 1953 as simply a way to clean up his barn, Frank Stoeber began winding. After the ball was donated to the town in 1961, townsfolk and tourists continued to add on.

We were greeted as we walked up by Linda, the keeper of the ball. She told us about the history of the area and of the ball, and had a roll of twine ready for us to add to it.

Susanne and I each set a record, adding twine to “the biggest ball”. Susanne’s record only lasted till it was my turn to add string, and mine will only last till the next person drives up, but hey, we are immortalized in twine. 😁

So The Biggest Ball of Twine is now checked off my bucket list. What will I use as my standard answer now?? I hear there’s a giant frying pan somewhere. 🤔