by: -RoG-
When it comes to novelty architecture worth paying a visit to on american road trips, there's perhaps no greater sight than Claude Bell's Dinosaurs on Interstate 10 in Cabazon, CA. Also known as the Cabazon Dinosaurs, this attraction features two huge dinosaur sculptures that you can walk inside of - a Brontosaurus (Apatosaurus) named "Dinny" and a Tyrannosaurus rex named "Mr. Rex".
Anybody who's a big fan of kitsch and roadside attractions is no doubt already well aware of these prehistoric monstrosities, but most people probably remember them from Pee-wee's Big Adventure. After riding with the ghost of Large Marge, Pee-wee is dropped off right in front of the Cabazon Dinosaurs at the Wheel Inn restaurant. He then befriends a waitress there and they hang out in one of the dinosaurs. Pee-wee also has a nightmare about Mr. Rex eating his beloved bicycle.
As soon as I saw that movie, I wanted to visit the Cabazon Dinosaurs, but they were on the other side of the country. Now, many years later, I'm finally living on the West coast and it's high time I pay a visit to these amazing dinosaurs. Let's take a look at these awesome architectural anomalies:
Not a bad view on the opposite side of the highway...
...but we came for the Cabazon Dinosaurs and there they are, about to attack a Shell gasoline station.
Here we see Dinny, the mighty Brontosaurus... naturally standing next to some palm trees.
And yes, you can also call it an Apatosaurus, but it'll always be Brontosaurus to me just as Pluto will always be a planet.
No, those aren't gills on his neck, it's an air vent.
And here's the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex!
(also known as "Mr. Rex")
Re helps show the scale of Mr. Rex. I'm pretty sure he could floss with her.
If a T-Rex lost its arms, do you really think it'd matter that much?
I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have to alter its lifestyle.
Even Mr. Rex's huge body couldn't block the high winds that day.
Guess that's why they set up that big wind farm in Cabazon too.
Did you know that some dinosaurs had built-in ladders and platforms on them?
You won't learn about that in any ol' dinosaur book... you only learn these things by seeing 'em in person.
Another nice view of the big bronto. Ok, time to go inside!
Hey, if you were inside a dinosaur's stomach, I'm sure you'd find that it was leaking on you too.
So it turns out the dinosaurs were purchased by creationists who insist on pushing
their beliefs on children who are simply there to marvel at the giant dinosaur attractions.
This stuff also contradicts some of the other artwork on display by Claude Bell, such as his Cro-Magnon Man.
Here's an idea: KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.
Look, I honestly don't care what your religious beliefs are (to each his own),
but they simply
don't
need to be a part of a classic roadside dinosaur exhibit.
That's more like it. Dinosaur toys. Now that's what a kid wants to find in the belly of a brontosaurus!
Next it was time to check out the robotic dinosaur exhibit. Actually, I think they were checking me out instead.
Also, come on... they should've named this the Dinobots exhibit.
Velocibot.
Pterobot.
Roll them bones!
Wooden guns! Don't worry, I'm sure they're prehistoric guns, so they totally belong here.
While in the shop, you can kick back in a chair shaped like a cracked dinosaur egg.
Dino-turtle devours small yard lights with fury!
I'm pretty sure this isn't the best place for a lamb to be hanging out... even if it is a prehistoric lamb.
There's still more of the Cabazon Dinosaurs to see!
Click here to continue onward to page 2!
Reader Comments
(from beyond the graaaaave!)
BTW, I'm a Christian too. Raised Southern Baptist even. There's tons of room to reconcile your belief in the Bible with the process of evolution - Kirk Cameron not withstanding.
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Today has been a good day! Ranks right up there with the time I caught the ring he threw out into the crowd during the Pee-wee Herman show early last year!
You look so... uh, "special".
I wonder where the next eccentric, "build crazy awesome stuff until you die" artist like Claude Bell is... Or what wacktastic junk he's making...
The reason religious types fear science so much is due to fear of it unraveling their religion, and rightly so! If you apply science to any of the "facts" in ANY holy book it becomes apparent that it's all lies. Not just picking on the christians btw... this applies to all religions. Could something happen to your "soul" when you die? Sure! There's no way of disproving that. Is what happens something that's printed in a holy book? Unlikely, and even if it was it would be a concidence seeing as they are all made up. Religion = social engineering in primative times.
So you really need to pick a side, no offense, because if you look at religion scientifically absolutely none of it holds up.
So to answer your question in a shorter fashion, creationists believe as they do because science and religion can NOT co-exist. I mean not unless you are really willing to look the other way.
I'm not trying to stir things up btw, I'm just telling it like it is. You are welcome to believe anything you want, but someones beliefs will never get in the way of the factual universe and how things actually are.
The dinos themselves are amazing! Structurally they are an engineering marvel considering how they really should'nt be able to hold up. I plan on visiting them someday but I think I'll wait until they are bought out by new owners. ;-)
But yeah, it's pretty awesome that the super large ones have held up so well over the years. I just hope they last long enough for future generations to enjoy 'em, because they really are a must-see stop on any cross country road trip.
One thing I was suprised by was that giant snake. Seems like a bad idea. Out west...where there are a bunch of gigantic snakes ready to eat your face as it is...give some old lady a heart attack. Ok, I take it back, that's a great place for a giant snake.