Mystery <Noun>

One of the rules I have is that I must stop at any attraction that has the word “Mystery” in it. Admittedly, this approach has had mixed results thus far:

• Mystery Castle, Phoenix, AZ: Unfortunately it wasn’t open so I could only look at it from afar. Looked awfully mysterious from the parking lot though.
• Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz, CA: There is a book in the gift shop claiming that the effects are due to some sort of gravitational paradox hoohah. Whatever. Not sure how it works but the illusion is convincing. Objects appear to roll uphill and people change height when standing on different ends of supposedly level wooden planks. Definitely worth seeing if only for the free bumper sticker.
• Trees of Mystery, Klamath, CA: Impressive redwoods with unusual shapes and some elaborate wood sculptures. To be honest however, the giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues in the front and the big neon “Live Burls” sign in the gift shop were the highlight. I did meet my bizzaro-world twin from Pennsylvania on the gondola ride up to the observation deck. She apparently quit her engineering job and is currently on a long (2 month!) road trip doing the exact same route as me except in reverse. How mysterious!