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All the United States Texas Bushland Floating Mesa
AO Edited

Floating Mesa

The top of a giant mesa, just outside of Amarillo, appears to float in the sky above.

Bushland, Texas

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Clinton
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CAPTION
  http://flickr.com/photos/meltedplastic/362...
Floating Mesa in the distance   http://flickr.com/photos/meltedplastic/362...
The side of the mesa where the line of white boards ends, revealing the illusion.   http://flickr.com/photos/meltedplastic/362...
When the sky is too dark, the illusion’s effect is lost.   http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleyhatch/4...
  qh7t86mzw7 / Atlas Obscura User
2014 Photo   narlenevans93 / Atlas Obscura User
1-29-22   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
1-29-22   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Another creation of the eccentric millionaire known as Stanley Marsh 3, - who prefers the Arabic numeral to the Roman numeral which he finds pretentious - Marsh is most know for his Cadillac Ranch creation. The Floating Mesa, one the many odd spectacles created by him in and around Amarillo, is a short drive northwest of town.

The illusion is that the top portion of the mesa is floating, which is fully realized whenever the sky is the right shade of white. On clear days with no overcast, the line of plywood sheets painted white appears to blend in with the sky behind the mesa. While the Floating Mesa's illusion only works from one side, the effect is nonetheless intriguing.

When asked about his art Stanley Marsh 3 simply replied, "Art is a legalized form of insanity, and I do it very well."

Related Tags

Outsider Art Optical Oddities

Know Before You Go

From Amarillo, take State Hwy 1061 (Tascosa Road) to the Northwest, about 8 miles away is the junction with State Hwy 2381, the Floating Mesa is just to the east of this Junction.

 

Community Contributors

Added By

Clinton

Edited By

Edward Denny, 7355537, 7134433610alpa, Collector of Experiences...

  • Edward Denny
  • 7355537
  • 7134433610alpa
  • Collector of Experiences
  • Darrell Powers
  • narlenevans93
  • qh7t86mzw7

Published

February 18, 2010

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Sources
  • http://www.legendsofamerica.com/TX-CadillacRanch2.html
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Marsh_3
  • http://ludb.clui.org/ex/i/TX3233/
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/16435
Floating Mesa
FM2381
Bushland, Texas, 79012
United States
35.265114, -102.050642
Get Directions

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