Post #60819 by seamus on Wed, Nov 19, 2003 10:26 AM

I haven't spent much time in Florida, so I'm a bit ignorant of the scene, but the idea of roadside Tiki stands and carvers battling over turf and styles fascinates me. I mean the fact that more than a couple guys can make an actual living selling their stuff, and to the locals at that... you don't know how lucky you are. Even if the locals prefer Tikis that look like Jimmy Carter(!!!), they know what Tikis are, and THEY BUY THEM!!
Here on the Oregon Coast, there are tons of roadside carver shops. Every small town has it's local yocal doing chainsaw art on mostly cedar logs. It's all bears, seals,and the occaisional Bigoot. A few miles up the highway there are a couple guys right next to each other. One does really beautifol dolphins and whales and such. The other cranks out all kinds of stuff like Vikings, miners and cowboys, as well as the more common stuff. All with really incredible detail, and at an amazing rate. The other day as I was passing by, to my amazement, I saw what looked to be a Giant Tiki in the lot. This sucker looked to be about ten feet tall. Everyday I wake with the intention of going up to take some pictures and have a chat, and everyday since, it's been storming sideways so bad I don't want to leave the shop. As soon as I get the chance, I will take and post Pictures.
In the meantime, I would love to see pics of some of the roadside stands, and shops around Fla. and beyond.