Vassenden, Norway + Lucas, Kansas
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Alison is obsessed with her new Nest doorbell camera, it makes watching your packages and groceries be delivered feel like a reality show. Plus, you know, feeling of safety that comes with it is a good thing. Lulu is obsessed with baths. She used to think they were so boring. But now that she has time to be bored and no pressure to not be bored, she is enjoying a soak in the tub. Really it’s a new approach to life, she’s slowing down and indulging in some self care!
Alison is wishing for someone to come decorate the outside of her house for Christmas. She loves the Christmas spirit, but lacks the time and handyman skills. Any volunteers? Lulu is wanting the Saatva Solaire adjustable mattress that STARTS at $1997. It has a zero gravity feature, so good-by back pain!
Alison was delighted to discover Jølstraholmen, which boasts a scenic collection of cabins along the river, one in particular catching her eye. The River Suite is a unique cottage/cabin with simplistic quarters but spectacular views! You gotta love the website's description of this petite hideaway with limited amenities - "you can either frolic with your loved one in a premium king size bed, or relax in the hammock in front of the large window". Oh and there is no running water, but there is a refrigerator "to keep the champagne cold". In addition to stunning scenery, Jølstraholmen offers all the toys needed to enjoy said outdoors. Kayaks, canoes, bikes, boats, a water slide, zip line, trampoline, SUP boards, fishing gear and more are at the ready!
Alison is going to rent a VW Bug for the day, so that she can follow her whims around the fjords. First stop is breakfast at Jølstramuseet, which literally translates to Jølstra Museum. Is this a case of Google Translate user-error? Why no actually, this "museum" also serves as a gathering hall, a restaurant and an art gallery! Alison makes an interesting decision foregoing traditional morning meal fare for the steak with potatoes and a red wine sauce.
After breakfast she heads to the park. But not just any park, she wants to visit the unusual Vigeland Sculpture Park. It contains over 200 bronze and granite sculptures by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. The sculptures depict human figures in various situations and positions, most curious of which is “Man Attacked by Babies”. Apparently the babies are supposed to represent evil spirits, though the vibe is more creepy than evil. See for yourself, this is a unique stop, to be sure!
Good thing she got that VW Bug, as she's going on a bit of a road trip. She's headed to Oslo, six and a half hours away, to visit the Mini Bottle Gallery, where 53,000 bottles await to be discovered. There are bottles filled with fruit and berries, bottles filled with creatures, miniature bottles of sodas and liquors, and so much more! There is also a bar, aptly called "The Mini Bar" where you can get a drink, and a restaurant. Alison is inspired by all the miniatures, and purchases this 50ml bottle of the Old Orkney Real Liqueur Whisky which last sold at auction for over $5,000.
While researching attractions in Norway, she discovered the world's most beautiful public bathroom. She has no idea if it's even close. To be fair, it is very much not close. A 16-hour drive from Oslo and the Mini Bottle Gallery, or a 17-hour drive from her accommodation in Vassenden. Literally, the opposite end of the country. May be worth it to see the glass and concrete structure that seems to "glow in the dark as the glass is lit at night. In the daytime, the facility offers just about the most breathtaking view you could hope to enjoy while relieving yourself." And to make the experience memorable, Alison brings an Asus Zenfone 7 which boasts the best selfie camera as of 2020.
Back towards her original destination of Vassenden, Alison opts for this private tour of Geiranger and Glaciers. The tour will take you through all four seasons in just 9 hours, covering vastly different terrain and corresponding changing climates. It costs $890 USD for a group of four, though Alison opts to be the sole participant.
Now for one of the most unique meals we've ever had here at 10K Dollar Day, Alison is dining at the world's largest underwater restaurant! Under is partially submerged off the southern tip of Norway, in Lindesnes. Sixteen feet (5.5 meters) below sea level, diners can enjoy local delicacies while watching fish swim on the other side of a panoramic window. They offer an "immersion menu", which we think is clever, and a wine pairing, which Alison of course goes for. It's been a long day after all, with something like 44 hours crossing the country in her car?
Lulu is heading to Luca, Kansas which has a population of 393. Its accommodation options are not going to help her reach her $10,000 budget, so Lulu is going to go for something unique and COVID-friendly. She gets a Bubble Hut for just under six grand. She adds an isolation home care kit which makes her literal bubble literally hygienic. It gets quite cold this time of year there, so she buys the Phase 20 sleeping bag from Marmot. She gets the long version so she can stretch and squirm at her leisure. Lulu is looking forward to a quick breakfast at Made From Scratch, which has the “Best omelets I’ve ever had in a restaurant.”
In 1996, Kansas Governor Bill Graves named Lucas the "Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas" due to the number of sites in the community devoted to local folk art. A lot of the arts community's history and ongoing growth can be found by starting at The Grassroots Arts Center, a non-profit gallery located downtown which promotes and exhibits the work of Kansas folk artists.
There area a plethora of art destinations in this tiny town, but none stands out so much as Bowl Plaza, which houses the #2 restroom in the country (in 2014). Yes, you read that right. The "World's Most Artsy Public Toilets" were created out of necessity, as the town had no public restrooms, but a lot of tourist stops. The town of less than 500 raised over $100,000 to build this destination powder room, complete with a toilet paper roll inspired sidewalk. The stalls themselves are themed and are mosaicked with found objects. At the grand opening the town threw a festival with a parade, a talent contest, and a bowel movement lecture to celebrate. You can't make this shit up.
Next is a gander at Miller’s Park which came to be in the 1930's when Roy and Clara Miller of Lucas traveled the United States and brought rocks back home and used them to build miniature mountains and buildings. They did this until the early 1960's, and at their passing their sculptures were sold and left sitting in a field. They have now been brought back to Lucas and have a permanent home amongst the grassroots art exhibits.
A quick bite at Backstreet Bakery and Lulu is ready for the reason she came to this gem of a locale…
… the World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things.
Yes, this is a real place. It was a traveling show, but now has a storefront in Lucas. The owner travels around, photographing major large-scale roadside-style attractions, then creates miniature versions of them. She then adds these tiny things to her ever-expanding collection. Get it?
To get into the spirit of things, and just for kicks and giggles, Lulu decides to go on a large-scale and miniature shopping spree:
1. She buys an Irish wolfhound and miniature Irish wolf schnauzer - see the insane size difference!
2. She buys a used 2002 Volkswagen Jetta and scale model VW toy car
3. A Cobra Varsity 11-Piece Complete Set of Golf Clubs and golf clubs made for a doll.
4. Club crackers and the mini crackers
5. Alison, in the flesh, and a miniature 2-ft personalized cardboard cutout
And, there you go.
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