Bicycle-eating tree, defying gravity: Where to travel to visit Washington's wackiest attractions

Hobbit Inn, Douglas County: For $400 a night via AirBnB, duck your head under the circular door frame, and sleep within the underground hygge amid the Columbia River Gorge mountainside. Keep clicking for more wacky attractions in Washington. — **Hobbit Inn, Douglas County**: For $400 a night via AirBnB, duck your head under the circular door frame, and sleep within the underground hygge amid the Columbia River Gorge mountainside. Keep clicking for more wacky attractions in Washington.
Bao-Yen T via Yelp

The Discovery Bay Railroad Park has see a number of incarnations over the years. Situated near the head of Discovery Bay along U.S. 101 a few miles south of Port Townsend, the little park includes a few old railroad cars that have long been painted in bright colors and have at times been used as restaurant, ice cream shop, gift store and more. At one point, a mini golf course was put up in front of the cars. The site fell into disrepair repeatedly over the years, but was rejuvenated again the last few years, this time as a cannabis store.
Google Street View

Frog rock was painted on "senior paint night" back in 1971. Paint Night is an old tradition for graduating high school seniors on Bainbridge Island. They go out and paint their first names and graduation year on the roads. Even back in 1971, the "Paint Night" tradition was frowned upon (in fact, it's illegal), because motorists drove over the wet paint, and the paint slopped off their tires onto their cars. The best part of this story: a few years later, the two high school sweethearts who created Frog Rock got married and they've been together all these years. — Frog rock was painted on "senior paint night" back in 1971. Paint Night is an old tradition for graduating high school seniors on Bainbridge Island. They go out and paint their first names and graduation year on the roads. Even back in 1971, the "Paint Night" tradition was frowned upon (in fact, it's illegal), because motorists drove over the wet paint, and the paint slopped off their tires onto their cars.

The best part of this story: a few years later, the two high school sweethearts who created Frog Rock got married and they've been together all these years.
Courtesy Joe Teeples/RoadsideAmerica.com

The pastoral panorama of Carnation is home to the Carnation Research Farm, and the statue of an exceptional cow. Segis Pietertje Prospect -- known to her personal milker as "Possum Sweetheart" -- in 1920 obliterated the single cow world record for milk produced by pumping out 37,361 pounds of milk (The average cow at the time produced only 4,000). It was a vindication for Carnation Farm's experimental "contented cows" project. Possum Sweetheart became a celebrity, was visited by the rich and powerful (including heavyweight boxing champ Jack Dempsey), then died in 1925. Three years later the Farm erected a life-size statue of her at its entrance, its plaque declaring that cows, "Nobly deserve the title, 'Foster Mothers of the Human Race.'" — The pastoral panorama of Carnation is home to the Carnation Research Farm, and the statue of an exceptional cow. Segis Pietertje Prospect -- known to her personal milker as "Possum Sweetheart" -- in 1920 obliterated the single cow world record for milk produced by pumping out 37,361 pounds of milk (The average cow at the time produced only 4,000). It was a vindication for Carnation Farm's experimental "contented cows" project.

Possum Sweetheart became a celebrity, was visited by the rich and powerful (including heavyweight boxing champ Jack Dempsey), then died in 1925.

Three years later the Farm erected a life-size statue of her at its entrance, its plaque declaring that cows, "Nobly deserve the title, 'Foster Mothers of the Human Race.'"
Courtesy RoadsideAmerica.com

We get it, Seattle is weird.

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Truth be told, it seems most of us would like to keep it that way.

Since the 1900s, the state has erected a handful of quirky community gems. From a 60-foot-long squirrel bridge to a 300-person wagon, the community camaraderie behind Washington's whimsical side continues to support nod-worthy memories of the past, present and future.

Whether you're gazing up a pedestal to grab a quick photo-op with the "world's largest egg," or feeding a few small pieces of garbage to a makeshift goat, Washington invites you to explore its oddities beyond Seattle's gum wall.

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Click through the slideshow above for all the details on Elvis's coffee shop-shaped gas station stop, a hill that seems to defy gravity and a tree that devours bicycles.

Bicycle-eating tree, defying gravity: Where to travel to visit Washington's wackiest attractions

For $400 a night via AirBnB, duck your head under the circular door frame, and sleep within the underground hygge amid the Columbia River Gorge mountainside. Features highlight a stone fireplace, carved wooden decor, and ultimate elfish exclusivity.

Nestled along Centennial Trail lies a 12-foot tall, and more than 26-ton sculpture of concrete reminding us all of the simpler days. The crimson giant fits about 300 people, and despite its youthful appearance, is climbable and slideable to reminiscers of all ages.

Tucked along 99th Avenue rusts the legend behind the children's book "Red Ranger Came Calling." Hovering about seven feet off the ground, travelers gaze and wonder at the bike that, perhaps, was swallowed by a tree after forgotten by a young rider.

For almost 40 years, the hoofed helper has been gobbling up small pieces of garbage, sucking down any small pieces fed through its mouth by curious visitors.

Gravity seems to work backwards on this barren stretch in Washington. Whether it's paranormal, optical allusions, or mere magnetism, Gravity Hill supposedly rolls cars uphill when set in neutral.

It's a self-proclaimed 14-foot-long, 9-foot-6-inch-wide, super-sized skillet. Enough said.

The 1,200-pound local egg captures a prideful place in the hearts of Winlock residents. The egg often remains unpainted, but spruces things up when celebration or remembrance calls.

A refuge from the mundane, the 200-acre estate boasts carved fantasy sculptures, home rentals, and a working farm open to visitors during harvest season for fruit and pumpkin pickings.

Constructed in 1922, the gas station was inspired by a political scandal, but now remains as Zillah's welcome center.

It was planted in 1826, and is supposedly the oldest apple tree in the Northwest. To celebrate, an annual old apple tree festival is hosted on the first Saturday of October.

The quaint (but beaked) mall boasts a myriad of knick knacks for curious passers-by.

Made of angular black aluminum, the crow enjoying french fries pays tribute to Big Daddy's Drive-In, which formerly stood at the site, and the town's crow population.

The best part of this story: a few years later, the two high school sweethearts who created Frog Rock got married and they've been together all these years.

World's largest clam pile is complete with 25 giant clams - that's two tons! - and a giant rake. This impressive display is a tribute to the great shellfishing on Hood Canal and a definite must-see on Highway 101.

Possum Sweetheart became a celebrity, was visited by the rich and powerful (including heavyweight boxing champ Jack Dempsey), then died in 1925.

Three years later the Farm erected a life-size statue of her at its entrance, its plaque declaring that cows, "Nobly deserve the title, 'Foster Mothers of the Human Race.'"