Columbia, South Carolina, USA

Artists, like geographers, are adept at exploiting scale. What you are looking at may be the world's largest fireplug, deliberately scaled up to outsize the one in Beaumont, Texas. By the way, the Jersey barriers are part of the sculpture. [2016]

Beaumont, Texas, USA

What breed? A Dalmatian, of course: announcing the importance of Beaumont's fire fighting museum. The outsized sculpture goes back to a time when Dalmatians were all over the cinematic arts world. Was this fire hydrant donated to Beaumont by Walt Disney in 1989, 1999, or 2009? Yes, this is a test of your knowledge of movie history. [2022]

Gate City, Virginia, USA

Do the eye-catchers on Pal's count as mural art? The main menu items seem designed to turn empty wall space into a useful Roadside-America commercial. How many bas-relief murals have you seen? [2012]

Yocumtown, Pennsylvania, USA

Look closely. There is a mailbox attached to this out-sized donut. Is it a ploy to make the mailman stop in for a donut a day? Or, maybe it works on every passer-by. Maple Donuts has been a York County staple since the 1940s. [2010]

Carmi, Illinois, USA

No one drives down Main Street without noticing the rather bland prefab building that now serves as a grocery outlet. What makes it stand out? The little giant out front. He's the one who puts the super in supermarket. In America, size sells. [2022]

Tappahannock, Virginia, USA

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! And you thought only ice cream could be eaten out of a cone! Does anyone know what happened to Tappahannock's most famous resident when the drive-in closed? Could he have migrated abroad to join his cousin? Be sure to see tomorrow's post. [2015]

Steele, North Dakota, USA

Say hello to Sandy, world's largest sandhill crane. She may be the world's oldest, too, since she just reached her majority. Let's hope she's still of reproductive age since those houses on the horizon look like habitat destroyers on the move. The leading cause of species loss is habitat destruction, both here and everywhere. [2021]

Millsboro, Delaware, USA

It's the second time around for most of the parts used to create these whimsical sculptures, all of which are sure to delight easily-entertained tourists and to vex the safety-conscious highway patrol. 2nd Time Designs is actually the name of the workshop where these eye-catchers were fabricated. [2013]

Unger, West Virginia, USA

They seem to be waiting for Yogi to appear from around the corner. Yogi's sidekick desperately wants to hear that greeting: 'Hey there, Boo-Boo.' Cindy Bear is trying to figure out how to tell Yogi why she doesn't have the pic-a-nick basket ready for a deep dive. And, Mr. Ranger, sir, has a few issues he needs to discuss with Yogi. [2021]

Warwick, Rhode Island, USA

Even a tawdry sheet-metal plant can look sharp if it has Old Glory on top. And, that smiling tin man standing sentry seems as proud as can be of his flag and his country. O Are you flying your favorite flag on this Independence Day? [2013]

Half Moon Bay, California, USA

What will get rid of this infestation of dinosaurs? (a) They will devour each other. (b) They will be decimated by oxidation. (c) They will be taken home as family pets. (d) They will be wiped out by a 7-mile wide asteroid. If your answer was oxidation, it looks like the dimetrodon will survive. [2010]

Pataha, Washington, USA

Is there a smile on his face? That must mean this plate-metal dinosaur just left some very important person's eighth birthday party. While he was there, birthday boy counted the number of plates it took to clothe him in scales. Then, he counted the number of pounds he weighed when he got on the scales. [2019]

Freeport, Maine, USA

When we build models, they are usually smaller than the things they represent. Think: model cars and world globes. In the case of the L.L. Bean emporium, the model boot is larger than any boot you might wear on your foot. Think: Jack in the Beanstalk. Get it? [2019]

Wichita, Kansas, USA

Some chains are international, some national, and some, like Dog N Shake, are local. Want to enjoy their chili cheese fries, you have to go to Wichita, where the name, the sign, and the architecture will take you back to the post-war automobile era. [2021]

Custer, South Dakota, USA

Dino is all that remains of a Flintstones theme park. He was rescued and moved to a bedrock throne (get it?) on the outskirts of town, where he serves as a welcoming committee of one. Today, his job is to tickle everyone's funny bone and remind them that the most foolish of days is coming up in just under two rotations of the earth on its axis. [2019] 

Dewey Beach, Delaware, USA

It is Friday the 13th: Don't be afraid, but do be prepared for any bad luck that might come rushing at you from the deep-seated memories of childhood nightmares. It is rather common to live through two Friday the 13ths in a single year, but we will have to wait until 2026 to live through a year with three. The last time that occurred was 2015. [1995]

Sabrevois, Quebec, Canada

Roadside giants have been with us since the mid 20th century. Here, the antique giant knows he is getting old. Each year, more and more, he feels under the weather. That is why he was so glad to see that new house being built within one good stride of his place in the world. But, as he watched the roof go on, he knew it was not big enough for any giant. [2009]

Commerce City, Colorado, USA

Here is what all drive-by signs used to look like. They had to: The idea was to attract attention with their size and quirkiness. Today, size has increased and quirkiness has decreased. Maybe, though, we are ready for the second coming of Roadside America. [2019]

Bisbee, Arizona, USA

That hot dog is even higher than the sign. So, if you are heading down the highway, you are able to make a decision to "Eat Here" well before you actually get to the restaurant. Remember, though, you will have to go inside: There is no drive-thru. [2018]

Alzada, Montana, USA

The sign you can't read says "Cheap Drinks Lousy Food." With a motto like that, the Stoneville Saloon might compete well in the suburbs of any American city, all of which feature bars with Expensive Drinks Lousy Food. [2019]