It was a great day for riding. The pleasant, warm temperatures let me enjoy the day with some of my riding gear vents open. The nearly cloudless bright blue skies and unobscured sun somehow worked together to make the road, trees, and the small and somewhat scattered buildings appear brighter and sharper in the clean Alabama air.

Orange Georgia Clay

Earlier in the day, I had spent a few hours riding on deserted, bright orange, well-graded, but sometimes soft, Georgia clay roads. It was my first time seeing the bright orange Georgia clay. Its orange surface contrasted mightily against the lazy waters at the side of the road and the lush greenery of swampland. It was relaxing as it was beautiful.

The bright orange clay on a Georgia back road. Photo: Mike Botan

But I was now riding on Alabama pavement while I made my way north from Florida to visit some friends in Tennessee. I had inadvertently gotten myself onto Alabama Route 431, a divided highway, which wasn’t what I was hoping for. So, it would be back to looking for the tiny deserted backroads in the area.

As I approached the intersection of Alabama Route 431 and Route 169 in Seale, Alabama, a tiny town of around 4,000 souls, I saw a narrow two-lane road and decided a turn was in order. I wanted to get back to a wandering and daydreaming ride. So I slowed my Husky Norden 901 and made the turn onto Route 169.

What Was That?

I was probably up to third gear and accelerating when I saw an old, rusty, previously electrified sign. It was one of those old-style drive-in movie theater signs with flashing lights and an arrow pointing out the evening’s latest film and urging you to turn off the road.

The sign proclaiming the World’s First Drive-Thru Art And Antique Gallery.” Photo: Mike Botan

All of the flashing lights were long gone, as were some of the sign’s letters, which seemed to say, “World’s First Drive-Thru Art And Antique Gallery.” But what caught my attention were the old shipping containers, one of which had been stacked across the top of two others. The container stacked across the two other containers was also red and adorned with large black and white hand-painted letters that said “Drive-Thru.”

This is what got me to turn around and check out the Museum of Wonder. Photo: Mike Botan

A Drive-Through Museum

At first, I didn’t catch on. But as my mind put the meaning of two signs together, it dawned on me. Could it be a drive-through museum? I slowed the Norden and made a 180. As I got back to the site, there was an old Airstream-like trailer emblazoned with the words that confirmed what I had been thinking: it was indeed a “Museum of Wonder – Drive-Thru.”

There’s no entry fee to drive through the Museum of Wonder. Photo: Mike Botan

I pulled off the road and parked the bike beside the old rusty sign. I wanted to check out what was inside the museum, and it would be better if I could walk through and take my time.

It turns out that the museum was created in 2014 by a local artist and collector of things named Butch Anthony. It seems Butch is a bit of a celebrity around these parts and works with the locals to bring art to the region.

There’s even a short film about him called Chasin’ Butterflies: The Art of Being Butch Anthony.

Eclectic Ain’t The Word For It

But let’s get back to the Drive-Thru, shall we? I have to say it is a very interesting mix of art. Some might not see all of the exhibits as art, but what is and is not art is in the eye of the beholder.

What the heck is it? Whatever it is, it’s at the “Drive-Thru” Museum of Wonder. Photo: Mike Botan

As I walked through, I saw partially stuffed animals, pictures of people with their bones painted over their clothes, brief sayings painted onto wooden planks, animal bones, and even animals crafted out of metal remnants. The Museum Of Wonder Drive-Thru is somewhat like the Spragpole Museum I visited years earlier in Idaho, except you can drive through.

There are some unusual things at the Museum of Wonder. Photo: Mike Botan

I took about 20 minutes wandering around the shipping containers and peering inside to see their contents. In all, there are four shipping containers with windows cut into them. In addition, the Airstream-like trailer also houses some exhibits.

Exiting the Museum of Wonder. Photo: Mike Botan

If I can make a statement about the “Museum Of Wonder Drive-Thru,” is that if you visit, you will likely see some things you have never seen before. And that’s worth something.

Wandering

And none of this would have happened if I had a ready-made route and a map to follow. The Museum of Wonder Drive-Thru” is one of the reasons that wandering on two wheels is so fulfilling. Thanks, Butch Anthony. Your little piece of Americana made my day. If you stop by, the Museum of Wonder Drive-Thru may just make your day as well.