The VW Black Widow Spider of Lexington, Oklahoma

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

The morning I left Rick’s Rodent Ranch, riding up the side of the highway, I came across the biggest black widow spider I’ve ever seen.

They say spiders aren’t bugs but in this case they’re wrong. Out here, they’re Bugs.

But there it was, looking like a “War of the Worlds” extra.

Actually, it was a 15-foot tall sculpture built by local Robert Leroy Wilson from a salvaged VW body as a publicity gimmick to draw people to his Black Widow Speedway.

If you’re riding, driving or just passing through Lexington on Highway 39, it’s worth a visit. The VW Bug spider has become one of Oklahoma’s more memorable roadside attractions. Some people call it the “VW Bug spider” and some call it the “Black Widow Spider sculpture” but whatever you call it, you’ll know it when you see it. It’s the one with eight steel legs and a Volkswagen for a body.

Woody and Maggie were hungry though. They’ve never heard of H.G. Wells or Robert Leroy Wilson so I let them munch Bermuda grass in the shadow of that giant black widow spider.

Cheers fearless travel mates!

More adventures by horse and mule: Travel by Horse and Mule.

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