On the Road to Yellowstone, a Big Boy Statue Sparks Curiosity

My grandparents had the kind of love most people only dream of - the kind that endures through thick and thin, filled with laughter, deep devotion, and small traditions that became precious pieces of our family history.

They were married for 62 years before my grandpa passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of love. As the oldest grandchild, I had the honor of naming my grandma, and for some inexplicable toddler reason, I chose to call her “Bob.” It stuck.

My grandma called my grandpa “Big Boy,” a nickname that always made me smile. And anytime I'd spot a Bob’s Big Boy restaurant, I'd laugh and say, “There’s Bob and Pop’s restaurant!” It became one of those quirky things families hold onto.

A Strange and Familiar Sight

Imagine my surprise as I drove through Cody, Wyoming, on my way to Yellowstone and caught a glimpse of something wildly out of place - a giant Bob’s Big Boy statue perched on a concrete pedestal in the middle of a field in Wapiti.

I did a double-take, turned the car around, and snapped a picture to send to my grandma, laughing the whole time. “You’re never going to believe this,” I said under my breath.

At first glance, it looked like a forgotten relic, but I had to know more. What was a giant Big Boy doing out here, seemingly alone and overlooked?

The Man Behind the Mystery

Turns out, it’s not as random as it seems. According to Cowboy State Daily, the “Wapiti Big Boy” has stood smiling and burger-in-hand along U.S. Highway 14/16/20 for more than a decade, about 20 miles west of Cody and on the way to the East entrance of Yellowstone. He’s a genuine piece of Americana, a real rescued Big Boy statue from a closed California restaurant. And he didn’t just end up there by accident.

READ MORE: Miles of Dead Trees in Yellowstone: What’s Really Going On

The man behind the statue is James Geier, an artist, sculptor, and nostalgic soul who deliberately placed Big Boy in that Wyoming field in 2013. His goal? To spark conversation and bring a bit of unexpected joy to anyone passing by.

More Than Just a Burger Buddy

“Big Boy restaurants were everywhere,” Geier told Cowboy State Daily. “I’ve always wanted to have a Big Boy and celebrate what’s great about the Big Boy.” Over the years, locals and travelers alike have formed a quiet affection for the statue. When Geier temporarily took it down for repainting in 2020, people panicked, fearing it had been stolen.

“I’ve heard people say it just showed up, like Easter Island,” he said with a laugh. But Geier knows exactly how it got there because he’s the one who made sure it did.

A Wyoming Landmark with Heart

Big Boy isn’t just a roadside oddity; he’s a memory-maker, a smile-inducer, and a beacon of roadside whimsy. And for me? It was something more. That unexpected statue in a Wyoming field brought back memories of my grandparents’ love story and reminded me that sometimes, the strangest sights on a road trip can lead to the sweetest, most meaningful moments.

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So next time you’re headed to Yellowstone via Cody, keep your eyes peeled for Big Boy. You never know what memories he might stir up for you, too.