In the interests of political correctness I think it's important to note that we had no expectation that Kentucky was populated with hillbillies. But when we saw the sign promoting a 'Hillbilly Garden' shortly after crossing into Kentucky state line, we knew we had to make the detour.

The head of the hillbilly clan in question is actually a native Kentuckian, ex-actor from California (he did have a speaking part on General Hospital back in the day). He returned home after a significant piece of Kentucky land was deeded to him after his mother died. Keith Holt had arrived with two truckloads of toys and a dream-he wanted to build a big, old-fashioned, indoor Toyland attraction, featuring an elaborate railroad of model trains. Outside, he envisioned a ride-able miniature railroad as well as fairyland statues salvaged from defunct amusement parks. Then he found himself fighting for his property in court. His new neighbors didn't like his big ideas. His backers backed out.

Left with junk, he made the most of it and started building 'art' installations.

That really left him in a squabble with both neighbours and local officialdom- apparently, with his shoulder length hair everyone thought he was a meth dealer and his 'art' was just a distraction. He says he was shot at, had his phone tapped and was investigated by a host of government agencies that was spurred on by vindictive neighbors. After a protracted court battle with local authorities, Holt says he agreed to buy an entertainment license to legitimize his unusual tourist attraction and made peace with most of his neighbors- some have even gotten used to him.

He personally guided us through the bulk of his Hillbilly Garden and most of his artistic pieces triggered a groaning pun of some sort. DH was having a great time trying to guess where he imagination was going with a toilet seat glued to a tire, painted green, and nailed to a tree. He may not be the dictionary definition of eccentric but he’s close, and the Hillbilly Garden was exactly the type of treasure we were hoping to find as we drove through the U.S.. There doesn’t appear to be a reason for it, there was no pent up demand, it doesn’t appear to do anything useful, and it does seem to fire up some emotions. In an all-too-serious world we need a little more of this type of thing (as long as it’s not living next door to us??).

A little piece of hillbilly heaven was all it took for DH to stop snarling about Popeye and Superman, and we're back on track. Nashville, here we come.