Day 4: October 12, 2025 To the Big Guys Comment via blog

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A small group of conference attendees met for breakfast before the final dispersal. An slightly smaller group then caravanned to Wilmington. With Debyjo Ericksen leading, we breezed through several stoplights so easily that I began to believe that she was in control. Then came the drawbridge.

Our destination in Wilmington was the Art on 66 gallery and the opening of "Roadwork Ahead: The Exhibition" from yesterday's opening speaker, David J. Schwartz. That's David in the first two pictures. Much of the rest of the gallery, which is owned by Rachel Conforti, can be seen in the second. The building housing the gallery is pretty cool in its own right. There is delightful neon on the front, and a nice patio area in the back. That's Don Hatch, whom I shared a room with during the conference, relaxing before driving home.

I knew there was a souvenir shop associated with the Gemini Giant, but when I stopped by on Thursday, I didn't know where it was. With better information, I now went straight to The Landing Pad. It was not yet open for the day so I snapped a picture of the big Gemini Giant helmet on the wall inside through the door glass. I did not do a great job of placing the lens against the glass so some of the reflected treed can be seen. I was noticed by the kind lady inside who opened the door a few minutes early. She even mentioned that is was so I could take a picture, but I blew it, and took no photos inside. Outside, the position of the sun was not much better than it had been on Thursday, but I snapped a couple of pictures anyway.

In Dwight, I found Ambler Station open for what may have been the first time. It was definitely the first time since the late Willem Bor's fantastic model of the station has been displayed here.

At the conference, I learned of a new car museum nearby, and from the volunteers at the station, I learned that I had just passed it. I found it closed, and repeated the camera-against-the-window trick I tried at the Landing Pad, but this time no one opened the door. I'll be back.

The restored gas station at Odell was open, and inside was another marvelous Willem Bor model. The garage is still white and my ride is still red, but there have been changes since my first time here in 1999.

"American Standard" accompanied Lexington, IL, resident around the country during his 2019 campaign for U.S. President. Some good details can be found here.

My destination for the day was Atlanta, IL, and the American Giants Museum to see the new additions. Both the Viking and the Cowboy are new since my visit last year.

I did not get inside last year but I did this time. I was also inside in 2023 before the museum was officially open and only Mortimer Snerd stood outside. Billie had greeted me in 2023 and she was there again today along with her friend Susan. The three of us had a great conversation although it was pretty clear that the conversation didn't really require me.

I also grabbed shots of the town's two non-museum giants. Tall Paul, just up the street from the museum, is the the original big man in town. Lumi stands in front of the nearby Country Aire Restaurant where I had dinner.

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