Abita Mystery House, Abita Springs, LA.

[Solly Mack]

Abita Mystery House, Abita Springs, LA.

I finally got my entry for alfredo's "Roadside Attraction" photo contest.

It only took me 2 days, 30 hours of travel time, and 1200 miles. (Recent Attraction: See why bluedigger sucks! - in that not really kind of way)

After braving the heat, parachuting tarantulas, and backseat drivers (not to mention failure) on my first attempt - I struck gold. More like a gold toned setting, but where else would you put a gem like The Abita Mystery House?

Hoping for a blue sky day, I got rain - lots and lots of rain. I poo-poo'ed the rain, packed up my screaming relatives, and headed down to Abita Springs!

I drove in places where the only way to get anywhere is by bridge because there's far more water than land. I crossed swamps, bayous, rivers, and lakes. I crossed the Mighty Mississippi! (which is on the other side of the state from my home)

With "Thanks" to alfredo for inspiring my travels.

The Abita Mystery House, aka the UCM ("You See-em&quot Museum, is located about 40 miles East of New Orleans in St. Tammany Parish. It's a wonderful little town with walking trails, old buildings, a rich history - and the Abita Mystery House.

In an easy - to - miss location, the Abita Mystery House was once a Standard Oil service station. It's now a folk art museum filled with oddities, alien crashes, handcrafted interactive displays (you push a button), and so much more, that takes a tongue-in-cheek swipe at roadside attractions everywhere.

It's the most fun you'll ever have being amused by the quirky and the kitschy. Go! Seriously - GO!

























There's more. So much more. I'll post a few more shots later.

Thank you!

Solly

[NV Whino]

1. Wow!

I'm speechless.

[Solly Mack]

2. I hope that's a good speechless.

[NV Whino]

5. That place is awesome

And your photos are great.

[Solly Mack]

6. It was to be a surprise in another thread with photos BUT

I got a photo just for you.

Honest!

I'm working on that thread now.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. Well, I was already out of the running

since I can't find any "roadside attractions" close to home, and I don't have the time to travel days to find something. Besides, your find is incredible. Love it, love the shots.

[Solly Mack]

7. No one is ever out of the running.

Thanks, Curmudgeoness!

I'm going to post more photos in just a bit.

Truly is a awesome place.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. That place is most bizarre.

I hope that you didn't have to pay to get in there!

[Solly Mack]

10. Not to the first building but to the other parts it's $3.00.

But so worth it.

We bought t-shirts & other stuff as well.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Holy cow, my dear Solly Mack!

What an amazing and colorful place you found!

I love it.

All the crazy details, colors, objects, everything!

[Solly Mack]

8. Thanks, CaliforniaPeggy!

If you get the chance - GO!

[Mira]

11. Unbelievable - if it were not put right in front of my eyes

with your great pictures.
I now have a new destination to incorporate in my next Southern Road trip. I have got to see that place
Is it OK if I do not believe that there is a 32 foot Alligator?
Thank you for showing these, and your accompanying tales.

[Solly Mack]

12. Thanks, Mira. I'll be posting a photo of the 32 foot 'gator shortly.

Her name is Thelma.

[NV Whino]

13. Oh good!

But I'm interested in the free air, too. I hope it's fresh and not prebreathed.

[Solly Mack]

16. Heh!

They rent bikes for people to take on the trails. Small town, pop. under 3000.

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. How did you find out about this place?

Judging from your description, out of the way fits.
Those wild grape vines are gonna gobble that place up at some point.

The inside would give me vertigo...so much competition for your eyeballs.

[Solly Mack]

15. On the internet.

It's a great place. It meanders outside, under awnings, into other buildings, to a courtyard. It's awesome!

[trusty elf]

17. Nice post, Solly Mack!

I enjoyed the vicarious visit to the Abita Mystery House!

[Solly Mack]

18. Thanks, trusty elf.

I thought the place wonderful. I spent 3 hours there and know I didn't see everything.

Just a fun place.

[mnhtnbb]

19. What a hoot! What a find! What dedication to your art!

I am amazed at the time you put in traveling to find this place!

[Solly Mack]

20. It was my original plan to go there first but I wanted to look for other stuff as well.

I'm glad I went on a rainy day. Much cooler which helped.

I really liked the museum.

[alfredo]

21. Wow! You struck gold.

[Solly Mack]

22. A deep vein.

[alfredo]

23. Not deep, probably dehydrated.

obscure Phlebotomist reference

[Solly Mack]

24. Yeah. I was constantly being "fussed" at for that.