I have a friend who by divine or design has managed to date from most of the male food groups.� There was the skater, the surfer, and the rockabilly rocker.� The politician was smooth, the construction worker rough, and the married guy exactly what you would expect.� The short guy, the fat guy, the good ol’ boy, and the guy who liked to drink each proposed marriage within weeks of meeting her.� Not so with the guy from Italy or the guy who didn’t know he was gay.� You can imagine how that one ended.� She dated at least one Catholic, but is now living with the guy who is Jewish.
It was the good ol’ boy who told her about Bass Pro Shops.� She, in turn, mentioned it to me as we passed it on our way to Victoria Gardens a while back.
“You know, it’s kind of a big deal that we have a Bass Pro Shops.”
I looked briefly at the imposing structure before acknowledging the fish.
“I’m going to assume it’s some sort of tackle store?”
“Yeah, but they have other stuff in there, too.� I’m not 100% sure what.� Outdoor stuff?� I know that they aren’t in every state, and in some of the states it’s a major tourist stop.� People come from all around to visit.”
“To visit a tackle store.”
“That’s what they say.”
“Who is they?� How do you even know this and since when are you into tackle?”
“Rob told me.� He’s from West Virginia.� He knows these things.”
So I can thank Rob for introducing me to Bass Pro Shops.� Rob, the good ol’ boy from West Virginia who made the mistake of falling in love with a girl who thinks sleeping in a Holiday Inn is camping.� I can’t help but think of him every time I pass that fish in the sky, and after almost a year I finally broke down and told The Mister and the boys to get in the car.� We were going to look at tackle.
The Mister was excited about the idea.
“You know, it’s kind of a big deal that we have a Bass Pro Shops.”
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t an outdoor-themed Wally World.� The Mister said he thought there might be a caf� inside.� Maybe.� The caf� turned out to be a full service seafood restaurant with enormous aquariums and taxidermied predator fish hanging from the ceiling.
Of course, there was plenty of fishing supply and tackle.
Be it nets…
or lures.
These ducks are proof that the hunting department is well stocked.
And may I just add that I have never before seen such reverent lighting display? I felt like I should drop a coin in a wooden box and light a candle.
There was even bait of the human variety.
They have walls to scale, rivers to cross, and herbivores galore.
After all the sight seeing, it was good thing they had a fish bench for me to rest my laurels…
and gaze at the flying fish.
We went in February and Mikey is still begging for us to go back.� If you have little boys (or big boys) who like to play with mud, it is a trip I highly recommend.� I admit, it was pretty cool.
Yep, it sure is a tourist attraction in my neck of the woods. But after reading this post I have a hankering for a moon pie fresh from the microwave. YUM!
It’s like Boy-Heaven-on-Earth. On your next trip to Tahoe you should take them to the Scheels in Sparks. Taxidermy! Guns! A Ferris Wheel! Faux Nascar Racing!
Ooh! Good idea!
We love it there, it is like a field trip ;) During the holidays they build an awesome “set” for Santa and take the most adorable pictures….good to know for next year ;)
You can also bring your dogs in Bass Pro. Field trip! Great for a dog that needs plenty of socialization. I put Juno, my American Bulldog, in a buggy (shopping cart) so she doesn’t eat the socks in footwear.
We have a Bass Pro here in Alberta that recently opened, mere minutes from our house. For months I too kept hearing reports of what a “must-see” destination this was, and probably rolled my eyes a time or two before I finally broke down and took my two boys. Well, I had no idea what a treat we were in for… my little guys love it too! Must look for the moon pies though…
now if they would only build a really nice fabric/yarn shop next door it would be a two for one trip!
LOL! I didn’t know that anyone hadn’t heard of Bass Pro. I live in north Louisiana, which sortof blends in with neighboring Arkansas as far as the boys & their 4-wheelers, muddin’ boots, hunting, & fishing go. You’re exactly right, it’s Wal*Mart for the outdoors. I personally hate it, but then again I’m like your friend in that my idea of camping is a hotel without room service. Loved the description of your friend’s dating pool. You’re such a fun writer!
This is so sad, but I take my kids there for a field trip during the winter time. I mean, what else do you do with your kids when it’s snowing and freezing outside??
Oh dear, I can not imagine you on one of these shops, lol. I love that Mikey wants to go back, that’s hilarious.
Perfection for my Dad!
Do you have Cabela’s there? Because that’s what this reminds me of. It’s kinda cool, but in all honesty – the only reason I ever went in was to return a well-intended gift ;)
Heather–I just went to their website and, no, we don’t have one. I figured as much, since I had never heard of the store before. :) I looked at the images on the website and the layout/look is eerily similar!
Jules- In the south we call it the “Big Boys Toy Store”.
jk
I know sometimes I have weird ideas but, honestly I think Brass Pro Shop *ROCKS*
We’re a Cabela’s family here. Only because BPS is rather far for us. Matter of fact, when we first found out we were having twins, DH packed up 3 of his closest friends and they made the trek to Cabela’s for camo sleepers. I know you’ve seen the pic, long ago. My DH in his camo shirt, holding 2 very camo’d babies. All you can see is heads. *insert eye roll here*
The stores are quite amazing. And yes, having a BPS close is QUITE the big deal ;)
There’s one in Oklahoma City and when we lived 90 minutes away in Lawton, we definitely made it a point to stop there whenever we went in to “the city.” I’d never heard of it before that, but it was/is cool. My husband and I are hard-core backpackers/hikers though, so of course we both liked it!
You know what’s hilarious? I totally get this. My parents live in our hometown of Modesto, CA and a new Bass Pro Shop opened about a year ago just up the highway from them. My dad about lost his ever-loving mind. It’s the mecca of the fishing set, I guess!
This is hilarious and the photos are gorgeous! Thank you so much!
no Christmas is complete for my dad w/o a bass pro shops gift card. bass pro shop is a VERY big deal to him! you know they have a casino in vegas?
Looks like an ideal place to spend a rainy day with your boys.
I live near Springfield, Missouri where Bass Pro started. I’m not really the “outdoorsy” type… but when we go there to look at golf clubs, etc. I can’t help but think I need a gun and some camo.
Weird?
I stumbled upon your site literally using stumble upon.com… I actually worked at the bass pro shops in cincinnati (and i’m a girl who does not fish or hunt… or eat fish or game) so i think it’s great you visited the store. Anyways, you can bring your dog in to bass pro shops (as someone mentioned above) and in the winter you can take you kids to have their picture taken with santa (for free!) or even your pet can have its pic taken with santa. It’s an awesome family oriented place and was voted the most christmas friendly store in America. Many times, Bass pro shops has events for kids… and the one in cincinnati has a climbing wall for adults and kids. I think it’s awesome you visited and loved the store.
Our closest one is just over an hour away. And my husband would happily visit every week if I let him.
Love this! Alex would love this store… hope you are having a great summer!
Hi JULES ! I’m the guy who made that fish bench. Thanks for posting it. I make all kinds of stuff here in Arkansas or as I call it Arkansause. Go to to my site if you want to see more http://www.robertrnorman.com Hey great blog too!