An academic obsessed with "roadside attractions" and his tv-star daughter finally discover the world's largest ice cream cone, the centerpiece for an old gold-rush town struggling to stay on the map. They end up staying longer than expected because of an accident that spilled an unknown cola ingredient all over the highway. They spend the next few days with the various residents of the town which include a teenage girl who loves to blow things up (Christina Ricci) and a boy trying to keep alive his fathers dream of building a beachside resort in the middle of the desert.

Haley: Hey, do you guys wanna party at the aqueduct tonight?
Blue Baxter: Nah.
Haley: Aw, c'mon, you guys!
Cale: The only party I heard about is the one in your patnies.
Haley: Oh, no. There's absolutely no way there could be a party in my panties.
Cale: Why not?
Haley: Because I'm not wearing any.