Offbeat America Season 2 Episode 11 Mushroom Castle and More

In Offbeat America season 2 episode 11, entitled "Mushroom Castle and More," host Robin takes viewers on another entertaining and informative trip across the country. This time, her travels take her to the West Coast, where she explores some truly offbeat and quirky attractions.

The episode kicks off with a visit to the "Mushroom Castle" in Oregon. This unique structure is located in a remote forest and is built entirely out of mushrooms - specifically, ganoderma applanatum, a type of bracket fungus that grows on trees. The castle was built by artist Dan Schweitzer, who was inspired by the natural beauty of the forest and the unique properties of the ganoderma mushroom. Robin gets a tour of the castle from Schweitzer himself, and learns all about the fascinating properties of this unusual building material.

Next up, Robin heads to California to visit the "Salvation Mountain." This massive art installation was created by Leonard Knight, who spent over 30 years building a giant monument to his faith using adobe, straw, and thousands of gallons of paint. The result is a brightly-colored, almost psychedelic mountain that is as awe-inspiring as it is bizarre. Robin meets with some of the volunteers who help maintain the site, and learns about the history and philosophy behind Knight's creation.

From there, Robin travels to Arizona to visit the "Thing" - a mysterious roadside attraction that has been drawing curious visitors for decades. Nobody knows exactly what the "Thing" is, but there are plenty of theories. Some say it's a preserved alien corpse, while others believe it's the skeleton of a prehistoric creature. Still others think it's an elaborate hoax. Robin takes a look inside the museum and tries to separate fact from fiction.

The next stop on Robin's journey is another bizarre art installation - the "Watts Towers" in Los Angeles. These towering spires were built by Simon Rodia, an Italian immigrant who spent more than 30 years constructing them in his spare time. Made from scrap metal, broken glass, and other found materials, the towers are a testament to Rodia's ingenuity and determination. Robin meets with some of the artists and historians who have studied the Watts Towers, and learns about the unlikely story of their creation.

Finally, the episode wraps up with a trip to the "Neon Museum" in Las Vegas. This museum is home to a massive collection of vintage neon signs from the city's past. From the iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign to the remnants of old casinos and hotels, the Neon Museum is a fascinating look at Sin City's history through its signage. Robin gets a tour of the museum and learns all about the techniques and technologies used to create these glowing works of art.

Overall, "Mushroom Castle and More" is a fascinating look at some of America's most unusual and compelling attractions. Robin's enthusiasm and curiosity make for a fun and engaging viewing experience, and viewers are sure to come away with a newfound appreciation for the weird and wonderful world around us.