Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Randy Land is a house that is built by dreams, passion, and love. Owner and creator Randy Gilson is on a mission to help everyone realize that they are somebody; that they have a purpose in life and that we all are something beautiful in the world.
Randy has made his house into an art project built from other people's trash that he has collected. He gathers what others throw out and gives it another purpose in life: to be a part of Randy Land.
Randy is by far the kindest man we have ever met. His house is open every day, and he truly loves each and every one of his visitors.
Tim Martini, creator of Exploring The Obscure, travels the world in search of the odd, unusual, and amazing stories that make each place unique. To see more of his work, check out the Exploring The Obscure YouTube Channel and follow his adventures on Facebook!
Soooo...out-of-staters might just call some of the things we do in Pennsylvania weird. But, if you're not from Pennsylvania, you may not understand the nuances of the way we talk, the hobbies we have, and the food we eat. For those of us who call Pennsylvania home, these 10 extremely weird things only people from Pennsylvania do are actually quite endearing because, well, they are unique to our beautiful state. Here's a peek at some funny things about Pennsylvania (and we wouldn't have it any other way).
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1. Stop in front of the Squirrel Hill Tunnels in Pittsburgh.
What lurks in the Squirrel Hill Tunnels that makes Pittsburgh drivers slow down to a crawl as they approach it? A tunnel monster? Fear of the dark? No one really knows why slowing down in front of the Squirrel Hill Tunnels – and only the Squirrel Hill Tunnels – has become a part of the city's culture but, really, for those of us stuck in the traffic that results it's not so endearing and it's extremely weird. It's just one of those strange things about Pennsylvania that no one can really explain.
The rest of the country can thank Pennsylvania's Primanti Brothers for starting that delicious tradition of topping your sandwich with a generous helping of fries and coleslaw in between fresh Italian bread. Those who haven't tried it just don't know what they are missing, do they?
If we can eat fries on our sandwiches, why not on our salads too? Some may say fries on salads is just one of those funny things about Pennsylvania, but we'd say it's downright delicious.
On your mark...get set...race those lawnmowers! Lawnmower racing is a popular pastime for some Pennsylvanians – from Butler to Lewistown. Some may say it's just one of those strange things about Pennsylvania, but it's part of what makes our beloved state so charming.
C'mon. What could possibly be cuter than cheering on a bunch of wiener dogs as they race at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh or at Oktoberfest in Wilkes-Barre?
6. Make music on the rocks in Bucks County's Ringing Rocks Park.
Pennsylvania is such a spectacular place that even the rocks sing out – or ring out – in happy melodies if you lightly hit them with a hammer. The melodic park in Upper Black Eddy draws plenty of visitors each year but what makes the rocks ring remains a mystery. Scientists don't have an answer, although some locals attribute the ringing to the supernatural.
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7. Visit Archbald Pothole State Park in Northeastern PA.
How many times have you inadvertently hit a pothole and just cringed (or maybe said a few choice words)? As much as we curse them, those pesky potholes are just a part of our state. Pennsylvania celebrates one of the state's largest and oldest potholes – at 38 feet deep and 15,000 years old – at Archbald Pothole State Park.
Get upstairs and red up your room! Admit it. If you're from Pennsylvania, you've either had that very phrase yelled at you by a parent or you have yelled it to your kids. Pennsylvanians have their own dialect, which most people from out-of-state probably won't understand.
Well, which is it? Soda or pop? Pennsylvanians just can't seem to agree. Most of the state calls that delightful caffeinated drink soda while some, like those in the western portion of the state, staunchly refer to it as pop.
Pennsylvania's weather is finicky. So, that affects the way we dress which is why shorts and a sweatshirt are a pretty common sight throughout the city on chilly fall and spring days, on cool summer evenings, and even in the dead of winter when we've pretty much had enough of the cold and the snow.
Do you agree that these are some funny things about Pennsylvania? Are there any strange things in Pennsylvania we've missed? Let us know in the comments! Speaking of weird Pennsylvania, check out these strange laws that are sure to have you scratching your head.
Those of us who live in Pennsylvania know how absolutely delightful it is, so why not get out and explore some more? Book a Vrbo in your favorite Pennsylvania town.
Pennsylvania is home for most of us. Some of us have spent our entire lives here. Others have left and returned while still others have moved here, only to discover all that our beautiful state has to offer. It’s probably fair to say that most of us travel away every now and then, excited to explore new places. Still, there’s nothing that compares to seeing that "Welcome to Pennsylvania" sign after we’ve returned from our travels.
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Welcome to Pennsylvania! Did you know that there are 37 Pennsylvania welcome signs dotted throughout the state? No matter where you cross the state border, you’re likely to find one of these cheerful signs.
The Welcome to PA sign has certainly evolved over the years – from the basic Welcome to Pennsylvania to the Smile: You’re In Pennsylvania. Today’s sign, however, gives a hint to the one-of-a-kind experience that awaits in the commonwealth.
Welcome To Pennsylvania: Pursue Your Happiness greets all those who cross the border into our beloved state, where tradition is pretty much a way of life. (If you don’t live here, you’ll quickly pick up on a whole bunch of our traditions.)
We shop at mud sales, have off the Monday after Thanksgiving for the first day of hunting season, and celebrate marriage, at least in the western part of the state, with the famous Cookie Table.
We’re all about good food too, whether you’re craving a classic Philly cheesesteak, or you want some of the best pierogis on this side of the Atlantic. And…snacks? We’re the snack capital of the U.S.
Pursue your happiness in Pennsylvania by visiting one of its world-class museums; root for one of the NFL, MLB, or NBA teams; and marvel at its stunning natural beauty at one of its 121 state parks.
You’ll probably notice that gas prices are higher than wherever you’ve visited most recently. Welcome to Pennsylvania, where our gas tax is higher than even California’s.
Don’t let that deter you, though, because some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet live in Pennsylvania. Next time you return and see that Welcome to Pennsylvania sign, you’re sure to feel that rush of being home again, too.
Where is your favorite Welcome to Pennsylvania sign? When you’re crossing the border back into Pennsylvania, what’s the one sure sign that you’ve returned home? Let us know in the comments! Ready to explore more of Pennsylvania? Plan a visit to the Switzerland of Pennsylvania!
Looking for things to do in Pennsylvania? Check out some of the best places in the state for nature lovers in this video by OnlyInYourState:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yaoa3IQxMYE&t=14s
If you love Pennsylvania, show off your state pride with some apparel from Wear Your Roots!
