(1 minute video at bottom)
Well this was a surprising fun find. We chose this town as one of our two night stops only because it had a campground that accepted Passport America 50% discount and had full hook ups. We were blessed with a river camping spot and it was beautiful – right on the Illinois river where the owner had a couple kayaks and paddle boards for us to use for free. That was a fun surprise – Sophie had been wanting to paddle board but most places were $20+ an hour per person.
We have been on the move at a fast pace so we don’t always do research about what there is to do an area until we are on our way or even already there. We found out Great Cats of the World was just down the road as well as It’s a Burl. Because it was hot out we chose the Cat place right away in the morning. (Not only would we have more energy in the cooler weather but we the cats would too:-)
It was really interesting to be guided through and given information by a professional. They had over 18 species of cats from all over the world. Geoffreys’ cat was one of our favorites followed by the increasingly rare Ocelot.
That Cat Man use to live in Minnesota and has been training and “playing” with cats for decades. The funniest thing was watching him “wrestle” around with them -they all adore him and get so excited when they see him pass their cage.
“It’s a Burl” is a whimsical little house/shop/hobby/business that a man started years ago. We never even saw him (Harvey Shinerock) while we were there but the grounds and shop are open to the public to wander. Four tree houses and a BUNCH of carved stuff to look at everywhere. I loved the bicycle made of all wood. Oh and a very important part to address – what is a burl? Have you ever seen those “tumors” on trees? That’s it. Wood workers love them because they cut them into cross sections and they always produce a random, unique, and beautiful pattern.
Straight from their website:
It’s a Burl began in 1987 when proprietors Harvey and Joy Shinerock moved to Southern Oregon from Northern California, where they met selling their work at art shows. Harvey was a burl woodworker and Joy was a jeweler. They purchased the historic Kerbyville Post Office and moved in, converting the front of the building into a showroom. Over the years, they transformed the property into a wonderland of wood art, becoming a roadside attraction and a destination for artists and alternative minded people. Today, the legacy lives on through the hearts and hands of the Shinerock family, including the many friends who have contributed to the evolution of Its a Burl. www.itsaburl.com