The Wandering Disciple

Believe it or Not! Robert Earl Hughes was the largest man to register for the draft. Wearing a modified size 56 overalls, Hughes weighed in at a whopping 1,071 pounds. When he passed away in 1958, he was buried in a coffin the size of a piano case.  This is one of the oddities on display at the Ripley's Believe It or Not museum in St Augustine. Founded by cartoonist Robert Ripley, it was founded to showcase the oddities of the world that appeared in Ripley's popular cartoon strip.  Taken: November 11, 2011 at Ripley's Believe It or Not (St Augustine, FL)

At 8 foot and 11 inches, Robert Wadlow is the tallest man ever recorded by Guinness Book of World Records. He had a arm span over over 9 feet and his hand measured over a foot from the wrist to the tip of his middle finger. A figure of Wadlow joins an entire gallery of oddities at the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum in St Augustine where you can stand behind this giant and see how you measure up to the World's Tallest Man. (Photo: November 11, 2011)

A fur-bearing trout is just one of the many oddities that await within the historic castle that houses Ripley's Believe It or Not in St Augustine. The urban legend surrounding this fish was that the cold waters of Lake Superior caused the fish to grow fur to adapt. The legend came to life when a taxidermist attached white rabbit fur to a trout which was then displayed at the Royal Museum of Scotland. It was later debunked by Robert Ripley in the 1930’s when he discovered the Canadian taxidermist responsible for making the display. Today the display can be seen along with other oddities at the museum. (Photo: November 11, 2011)

A skeleton pirate is at the helm of the pirate room at Ripley's Believe it or Not in St Augustine.  The museum features over 300 exhibits in 19 themed galleries encompassing three floors in the historic Warden Castle.  (Photo: November 11, 2011)

The mechanical fortune teller Zoltar sits on display at Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum in St Augustine. The machine made famous by Tom Hank’s movie “Big” is just one of many unique items on display at the museum. (Photo: November 11, 2011)

A shrunken head sits on display at Ripley's Believe It or Not in St. Augustine, Florida. Shrunken heads can be traced back to the Jivaroan tribes of the Amazon Rain Forest. The tribes would shrink their enemy's head in a ritual to prevent the soul from seeking revenge. (Photo: November 11, 2011)

Built in 1887 as a winter homer to William Warden, Warden Castle is the current home to Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. The castle was the private residence of the Warden’s through the 1930’s. In 1941 it was remodeled as a hotel and even had an apartment for writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. In 1950, the estate of Robert Ripley purchased the castle and opened the first Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. (Photo: November 11, 2011)

St. Augustine, Florida: Creepy but interesting is the best way to describe the collections found at Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in downtown St. Augustine. Within the walls of the castle is the rare collection consisting of a shrunken head, trophy mask, mummified cat and many more unusual specimens. The items are part of the personal collection of cartoonist Robert Ripley. His collection was first seen by the public during the Chicago World’s Fair of 1933. Afterwards, his collection traveled the country for fairs throughout the country. Following his death, the first permanent museum opened in St. Augustine in 1950. The St. Augustine museum is the oldest of the Ripley franchise which has now grown to over 30 museums worldwide. The exhibits are located on three floors of the castle. As you travel room to room, you will see over 800 exhibits on display. A few of the popular ones include a shrunken head, Egyptian Mummified Cat, Pirates, Peel Car, Largest Erector Set, Odd Anim...

St. Augustine, Florida: Today we embarked on a weekend trip to the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine, Florida for a camping adventure at Anastasia State Park. We decided to go off the beaten track for our trip.  Instead of taking the I-74/I-4/I-95 track that was recommended, we opted to go through Ocala National Forest. A short drive through the National Forest made it feel like we were no longer in Florida.  Rolling hills, trees with fall colors and the brisk cool breeze from the recent cold front made it feel like we were in Tennessee rather then the Florida peninsula.  We did not stop within the forest, but it is definitely a place I wouldn't mind visiting in the future. Once we left the forest, we travelled through the town of Palatka.  What a neat little town.  The brick buildings and break streets felt like the city was frozen in time in the 50's. Not much longer and we arrived at our destination, Anastasia State Park.  We checked into the campground and be...