The quest across the west continues with a stop in Montana: home to some of the weirdest and wackiest attractions around. So come join the Jurnii and prepare yourself for some of the quirkiest things around.

1. Montana Testicle Festival: Rock Creek Lodge, Montana

Tantalize your taste buds at the Montana Testicle Festival: home to the tastiest testicles in town. The annual event attracts a titillating 10,000 people, all seeking to sample the world’s finest bull testicles in a testy festy fashion.

You’ll be sure to leave saying “I had a ball at the Montana Testicle Festival”.

2. Steer Montana: Baker, Montana

Once famous for being the “world’s largest steer”, Steer Montana has been reduced to skin and bones, literally.

Lost for several years, he was steered back to fame (at a cost of $5000) to the local historical museum, where he now permanently resides in a glass case.

3. Two-Story Outhouse: Nevada City, Montana

Known to the locals as “Big John”, Nevada City’s two-story outhouse proudly sits behind a hotel, reveling in all its former glory (and who knows what else).

This “skys-crapper” of a structure is sure to impress.

4. Merry Widow Health Mine: Basin, Montana

Never has there been such a congregation of arthritis-ridden, coughing, sneezing, diabetic people in the same room before (if you don’t count a retirement home that is).

Famous for providing relief to those suffering from asthma, hay fever, migraines and eczema, the mine works its “wonders” through its “magical” water: in fact, so magical you have to pay for it!

5. Cut Bank Penguin: Cut Bank, Montana

The local ambassador of Cut Bank, the Cut Bank Penguin claims that this is in fact the “coldest place in the nation”: now that’s a pretty tough call from a penguin.

However, it should come as no surprise that he holds authority; he is after all 27 feet tall and weighs 10,000 lbs.

So listen to the talking penguin and be sure to rug up.

- Chrissy

Have you come across any other weird and wonderful in your Montana travels? If so, let us know in the comments below.

Attractions, Fun, strange, travel

The discovery of America’s strange but wacky attractions continued as we headed into the state of North Dakota. Home to the weirdly wonderful Enchanted Highway and the ancient Turtle Mountains, this adventure was one to remember, introducing us to some truly bizarre places to visit. So be prepared to encounter some “big things” as you take the Jurnii into one of the most deserted state’s there is!

1. Tommy Turtle: Bottineau, North Dakota

The small town of Bottineau may be situated on a flatness that extends for as far as the eye can see, but there is one thing about it that never fails to stand out (or up): Tommy Turtle.

This monolithic, though oddly unrealistic, turtle is the tallest in the world, standing (yes folks you read it right, standing) at a whopping 30 feet tall.

Straddled against the world’s largest snowmobile, Tommy guards the entrance to the local tennis courts, doing a fine job with his protective gear and friendly smile.

2.  The W’eel Turtle:  Dunseith,  North Dakota

North Dakota sure does like its turtle monuments, with the town of Dunseith even going to the somewhat extreme lengths of constructing a man-made turtle, “turtley” out of wheel rims.

2,000 steel wheels have gone into making this “novelty” attraction: that’s either an incredibly innovative way to recycle, or the locals simply enjoy the whole “slow and steady wins the race” process.

3.  The World’s Largest Grasshopper – The Enchanted Highway:  Regent, North Dakota

Gary Greff’s original idea for the Enchanted Highway has soared and the grasshopper has a lot to do with this.

For all those acridophobians out there, don’t let its size fool you though; unlike real grasshoppers, this one is completely harmless.

4. Tin Family – The Enchanted Highway:  Regent, North Dakota

The local tin family offers a popular stop-off point along the Enchanted Highway, visually depicting a larger than life impression of farming life.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the tin sculptures is the mother’s hair, which if you look closely enough will notice is made of barbed wire.

Original, to say the least.

5. Paul Broste Rock Museum:  Parshall, North Dakota

Rocks seem to be a popular feature of many of North Dakota’s more mainstream attractions, but none incorporate their clever use more so than the Paul Broste Rock Museum (and we’re talking the natural resource, not the style of music).

Every aspect of this establishment is comprised of rocks, which may at first glance appear boring and unattractive, but will eventually leave you a-stone-ished.

- Chrissy

Visited any other weird and wacky, or just plain big attractions in North Dakota? Let us know about them and we’ll give them a squizz.

Attractions, Fun, strange

Well, hello everyone.  Thanks for stopping by. Here’s where your Jurnii begins.

We’ve traveled the U.S far and wide, but joining the blogging world just might be our greatest adventure yet.

We’re ecstatic to start sharing our home grown travel content and look forward to having you along for the ride.

While you can expect to find a whole range of great travel info here, our focus on Jurnii will be on travel within the United States.

After all, there’s just so much to do and see between (cue music) California and New  York Island.

We’ve got two writers on staff here, each with their own perspectives, experiences and writing styles. So let’s get the introductions out of the way and get you acquainted with the Jurnii  blogging team:

To your right,  there’s Sam (that’s me); a fan of cheap eats, small town charm and big city fun. To your left is the very talented Chrissy; lover of music festivals, camping trips and getting away from it all.

Hi everyone (big wave), it’s great to meet you.

Now that we’ve disposed of the pleasantries, let’s get this blogging thing underway.

Dust off those suitcases everyone, this is going to be one heck of a trip.

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