NOWATA, OK (KTUL/CNN) - He's been called an artist, a crazy old man and someone with too much time on his hands, but the title he prefers is "Oklahoma's Bowling Ball Man."
Nestled among the gravel roads and cattle that indicate you are somewhere in Oklahoma, a turn down County Road 415 in Nowata reveals a change in the landscape cultivated by Chris Barbee.
He has arranged thousands of bowling balls into various displays and is proud to show them off to anyone who visits.
"If you miss 3,100 bowling balls in my yard you better get your eyes checked," Barbee said.
Among the displays are a pool table, pyramid, the alphabet, a robot and a breast cancer awareness ribbon in honor of Barbee's daughters.
"I had two daughters fighting breast cancer at the same time," Barbee said. "One survived, the other didn't. That's what inspired the cancer ribbon."
There's also a Newton's cradle of bowling balls that doesn't quite work as well as the smaller version. Nevertheless, it's a popular attraction among visitors.
"I'll hear this thing go off, I know somebody's here and exactly where they're at," Barbee said.
Barbee's passion started when his wife passed away. She left behind a few bowling balls in the yard and Barbee just added to it. The whole thing started with the fence, where there are now 108 bowling balls.
While there are some sentimental pieces, Barbee hopes this is a place where people can just have fun.
He keeps a guest book and a map where visitors can sign and indicate where they are from. The map is only of the United States, but there are pins in other parts of the walls too.
"(I asked) 'why are these pins over there,' and she said, ' that's France,'" Barbee said.
Barbee proudly admits he might be an bit of an "odd ball," but it's something he wears with pride and distinction. He's got a website and Facebook page advertising his display.
He currently has a new project going. He needs basketball hoops to build a rocket.
"If you have a ball you want to donate or anything, just throw it out in the yard," Barbee said. "I'll find it."
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