Golden Driller

I appreciate the homage to black gold. It’s different that’s for sure. Truly — this big bulging man is something else. He’s lean, mean, and golden, ladies and gentlemen. Although a bit anticlimactic.

I’ve passed by the Golden Driller, Oklahoma’s official state monument, on previous visits to Tulsa but this was the first time I stopped to take some photos. I should have called for an ambulance but I guessed that Tulsa didn’t have one big enough for Mr. Driller.
He seems to have some serious health issues. His neck appears swollen and would suggest a thyroid condition. The sternum and rib cage are unusually pronounced which may indicate pectus carinatum commonly known as pigeon chest. His droopy eyelids may actually be ptosis. The cause of that could be a spinal cord injury, stroke, or lung cancer. The severely constrictive underwear that he has chosen — what’s up with that? — can’t be doing him any good, either. Finally, the obvious yellow pallor means jaundice which would explain his unhealthy weight loss.
Mr. Driller is a medical catastrophe and he seems too proud to see a doctor so the only solution is an intervention. It’s time for his family and friends to step in.

Lo, the patron saint of fossil fuels, St Petrolius (or the Golden Driller if you must), an American idol blessing the motorists on nearby Route 66 (the four-​lane to heaven), asking for little but your focus on his golden bod and a sacrifice of a little automobile wine to make the pilgrimage.
And you thought the praying hands at Oral Roberts University was the only monumental religious sculpture in Tulsa!

It’s a giant golden statue. What more do you want?

Fun little stop. I couldn’t visit Tulsa and not check it out!

Me: Hey man, what’s up?
GD: Not much just standing tall and Tulsa proud since 1953.
Me: Oh, that’s cool.
GD:Yah I’m actually 76 feet tall and the largest free-​standing statue in the world.
Me: Wow, that’s impressive.
GD: I originally came here as a symbol of the International Petroleum Exposition. I am dedicated to the men of the petroleum industry who by their vision and daring have created from God’s abundance a better life for mankind.
Me: that’s awesome thank you for your service to all of the oil men and women.
GD: Your welcome, p. s. I may be 43,500 lbs. but I’m not fat I’m just well structured.

Pretty epic to see. a must stop in the area. just snap a quick pic and gawk at the statue’s ridiculous size. easy to park in the many surrounding lots.

there’s good cheese and bad. this is good cheese.

More GIANT STUFF in Tulsa!
This is a GIANT Oil Driller guy standing around, resting his arm on a real oil rig. He’s 76 feet high and has, of course, huge feet that are kind of fun to sit on and pose for a picture.
I always heard everything was bigger in Texas, but Tulsa has some very cool big stuff.