Iowa Man’s Yellow Submarine a Roadside Delight
It’s not every day you spot a bright yellow submarine while cruising down a rural highway. But that’s precisely what travelers encounter just south of bustling U.S. Highway 20, about 30 miles west of Fort Dodge, Iowa. A propane tank, lovingly transformed into a quirky underwater vessel, has become a beloved roadside attraction, drawing smiles and questions from passersby.
From Propane Tank to Playful Submarine
The mastermind behind this nautical marvel is Brian Betten. Eight years ago, he decided to add some unexpected whimsy to his corner of the world and embarked on a unique project. Inspired by a similar submarine he’d seen in Key West, Florida, Betten set out to create his own Iowa version.
“It was just for fun,” Betten explained. “I decided to dress up my corner.”
He acquired a propane tank for $600 from a nearby neighbor who’d retired his own iron giant to a grove of trees, adding the perfect touch of industrial charm. With some creative ingenuity, Betten elevated the tank with tubing for better visibility, fashioned fins from a 1950s automobile, and added a periscope and propeller salvaged from his own boat.
“You get creative,” Betten chuckled.
His wife, Dianne, added a finishing touch, suggesting they emblazon the submarine with the iconic Beatles logo, cementing its playful, musical identity.
A Beatles Fan’s Tribute
The shimmering yellow submarine isn’t just a random roadside oddity; it’s a testament to Betten’s childhood love for the Beatles. “As a kid, I had all their eight-track tapes. They had a Beatles cartoon on Saturday mornings. The Beatles were really big,” he recalled warmly.
While “Yellow Submarine” isn’t his favorite Beatles song (he gravitates towards “Revolution” and “Yesterday”), Betten acknowledges its iconic status and its contribution to the submarine’s charm.
He’s even seen an online video of a man panning his creation while singing along to the Beatles classic!
A Celebration of Whimsy
The yellow submarine has captivated locals and visitors alike, becoming a well-known landmark in rural northwestern Iowa. Maury Ruble of Fort Dodge remembers his first encounter. “I remember just thinking it was random and odd,” he said, “and that we must have a Beatles fan out here. I thought it was funny. I started playing The Beatles catalog in my head.”
Kristy Anderson, working in the Calhoun County Assessor’s Office, said many people have inquired about the submarine and its owner. “It is a fun little find,” said Jeana Guy of Sioux City. “I wonder how many conversations have been sparked by that yellow submarine. Quite a few, I bet.”
Betten himself is delighted by the submarine’s popularity. He “at least daily” has people stopping by to snap pictures, often creating a worn path in the roadside ditch.
A Dream of Recognition
While Betten enjoys the attention, he harbors a special wish. “My dream would be to have Ringo and McCartney somehow see it and come out and sign it,” he said. “Wouldn’t that be cool?”
What materials did Brian Betten use to build his submarine?
## From Propane Tank to Playful Submarine: An Interview with Brian Betten
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Brian. Your roadside submarine has become quite a landmark! What inspired you to build it?
**Brian Betten:** Well, it all started about eight years ago. I saw a similar submarine made from a propane tank down in Key West, Florida, and it just stuck with me. I thought, “Hey, why not bring a little whimsy out here to Iowa?”
**Interviewer:** What was the process like?
**Brian Betten:** It was a lot of fun! [[Iowa Man’s Yellow Submarine a Roadside Delight }}(https://www.example.com/article-about-submarine] ) I got the tank from a neighbor for $600 and elevated it with some tubing. The fins came from an old 1950s car, and the periscope and propeller are actually from my own boat. You get creative when you’re working with what you have! My wife, Dianne, had the brilliant idea to put the Beatles logo on it – it really completes the look.
**Interviewer:** What kind of reaction have you gotten from people?
**Brian Betten:** It’s been amazing! People love it! Travelers often stop to take pictures, and kids especially get a kick out of it. It’s fun to bring a smile to people’s faces.
**Interviewer:** What’s your favorite thing about having this submarine on your property?
**Brian Betten:** Just seeing the joy it brings to people, really. It was just meant to be a little something fun for my corner of the world, but it’s turned into something much more than that. It’s become a bit of a landmark and a reminder to always keep that sense of playfulness alive.
