The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota

Yesterday was my oldest son’s eighteenth birthday. (I know, I know… you’re wondering how my son and I can be the same age. Long story… some other post.)

Anyway, my boys are fans of “Weird Al.” One of Yankovic’s original songs is “The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota,” based on the real ball of twine located in Darwin, Minnesota (pop. 350).

So, as a spur-of-the-moment birthday activity, the three oldest boys and I packed a picnic lunch and set off to see it for ourselves. The road trip featured Weird Al songs, quizzing Google with odd questions, and chocolate soda. We parked near Weird Alley and spent a half-hour (or less) looking at the ball. They even let us inside the pagoda to smell it for ourselves (though touching it is now forbidden).

Beautiful drive. Fun day. But I didn’t let Bernie take our picture. (I got a funny kind of feeling we’ll be coming back again next year.)