Visit Americanaville

Danish Windmill at Elk Horn, Iowa

2011-11-03T05:08:00.000-05:00

On our way to Kansas City we made a stop at the Elk Horn Danish Windmill . We saw a sign on the side of the road and decided to stop. It was well worth it. Its an original Danish Windmill that the citizens of Elk Horn Iowa transported here in pieces from Denmark in the 1970's.

The windmill is attached to a cute little gift store with very helpful customer service workers!

My daughter wanted her photo next to the bust of Hans Christian Andersen.

There is a brief informative video to watch before the tour of the Windmill

The stairways were a little steep!

And there was a photo-op with a friend on the way to the gift store from the mill!

Pilot Knob Historic Site - Mendota MN

2011-10-19T06:40:00.001-05:00

There are some beautiful views from the top of the hill of downtown Minneapolis and the international airport.

Pilot Knob - Mendota MN

2011-10-19T06:37:00.000-05:00

The open space in Pilot Knob is amazing. I imagine in the spring the spring wild flowers would be incredible. We are definitely headed back.

We spotted a catepillar while we were on our hike.

Pilot Knob Historic Site - Mendota MN

2011-10-19T06:34:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we discovered a new place in the Twin Cities area. For years Kristo and I have been wondering about what a Pilot Knob is- from the road named the same. I discovered this place as a result of it being one of the places that had been up for some money in a contest by the Preservation Society. It took us a while to find it and we went in circles quite a few times before we did find it but there at the end of the road (Pilot Knob) right across from Acadia Cemetary is this open site that is in process of being turned into a nice little park.

I am not sure what the circles signify but the boys liked them!

Oliver Kelley Farm - Elk River Minnesota

2011-10-10T05:50:00.001-05:00

I know I have posted about this place before but its worth a re-visit. These photos are from a trip last year in September. The Oliver Kelley farm is run as a farm as it would have been in1800's. There are volunteers who do the work and who are period dressed but talk in the present (important to me!) This photo is of the boys walking down one of the trails that go around the farm. There are trails that lead along the Mississippi river and there are a few picnic tables in case you want to pack a picnic lunch when you come to visit. The farm is run by the Minnesota Historical Society. We are members and so we can go anytime we want for one yearly fee. Its relatively inexpensive to join and well worth it.

Beautiful Skies

Drying fruit in the sun!

Sitting on the steps of the Oliver Kelley farm house.

July 10, 2010 - Minnesota Transportation Museum - Jackson Street Roundhouse

2010-07-24T06:43:00.000-05:00

The Minnesota Transportation Museum - Jackson Street Roundhouse

2010-07-20T05:53:00.000-05:00

This museum opened up a year or so ago. We haven't had time to stop by till now but it was well worth the trip. Don't get me wrong - its a little dusty and not terribly organized but my kids loved it! There were old trains to go into and wander around, we rode the switch engine and the engineer let the kids "help" drive. Its probably not the best place for really small kids but anyone 4 and up its definitely a place to try out - old and young!

Straw Prehistoric Creatures on Hwy 61 in Minnesota

2010-06-11T06:11:00.001-05:00

We found these straw masterpieces just south of the Twin Cities on Hwy 61 on a trip back from Red Wing Minnesota. One large mammoth and three pumpkin hay bales. The kids thought they were awesome!

Oliver E. Kelley Farm - Elk River Minnesota

2009-07-17T07:06:00.004-05:00

Kristo and the kids and I visited the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River Minnesota in June with our friends the Johnsons. I may have been there as a kid but I don't remember it. Its a great place to go with kids. They have role playing "cast" members but they don't play up the I am from another time thing they just answer questions and interact. Really nice. Hannah had a great time at the farm house with this woman "helping" her cook etc. Hannah would have spent a lot more time with her and at the farm if I had let her. Its a great place for her age group (8 - 9). I highly recommend it if you are visiting up this way. Its part of the Minnesota Historical Society and if you join the MHS you can go as many times as you want as well as a lot of other cool places. Its well worth the membership fee.

Here's Hannah cleaning vegetables! She'll do this at home too but not wearing the cool hat!

Ox outside the window.

Dinner?

Animal petting!

Oliver E. Kelley Farm - Elk River Minnesota

2009-07-17T05:46:00.002-05:00

Giant chicken! He was crowing like mad when we were there.

A view of the farm. Its a l ittle rough in spots but really nice.

Pig snouts

The boys relax on a bench at the farm.

Burbank-Livingston-Griggs Residence in St. Paul, Minnesota

2009-05-26T06:12:00.003-05:00

Italian Villa Style limestone mansion on Summit Ave. in St. Paul. The home was built around 1862 for James Burbank and expanded in 1925 by Mary Livingston Griggs. (info courtesty of National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota - A Guide).

James J. Hill House in St. Paul, Minnesota

2009-05-26T06:01:00.004-05:00

Hannah was amazed by the thickness of the door at the James J. Hill house. This house is open to the public for tours. We didn't take the tour on this visit but we have in the past and its worth the trip. They also run walking tours of Summit Ave. from this site on various different days.

Richardsonian Romansque mansion with an art gallery built for railroad magnate - James J. Hill around 1889. (Info courtesy of National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota - A Guide by Mary Ann Nord).

Governor's Residence - Horace Irvine House - St. Paul, Minnesota

2009-05-26T05:52:00.002-05:00

The now Governor's Mansion on Summit Ave. in Minnesota was donated to the State of Minnesota in 1965. It was originally built in 1911 for lumberman Horace Irvine. Jesse Ventura didn't like the residence when he was Governor and it was closed for a while.

Triune Masonic Temple in St. Paul Minnesota

2009-05-26T05:41:00.003-05:00

Kristo and I bought a book, The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota - A Guide complied by Mary Ann Nord, and we have been periodically taking time to go and look at the different homes/buildings mentioned in the book. Hannah likes it because she gets to check them off in the book when we find them and she has also helped us by using the GPS to find the site etc. We have had a lot of fun doing it and its educational.

I think its an apartment building now but this was the Triune Masonic Temple built in 1910 or so and designed by H.C. Struchen. Its a Classical Revival Brick building.

Frederick Spangenberg House - St. Paul Minnesota

2009-05-26T05:31:00.003-05:00

This house was built around 1864 and was built by a German dairy farmer. Its a limestone farm house. (info courtesty of The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota - A Guide - by Mary Ann Nord).

Pierce and Walter Butler House - Historic Home in St. Paul Minnesota

2009-05-26T05:21:00.004-05:00

This house is in the West Summit Ave. Historic area. This house was designed in 1900.

Historic Homes in St. Paul - F. Scott Fitzgerald home on Summit Ave.

2009-05-24T16:19:00.004-05:00

In the Historic Hill District in St. Paul. This is a brownstone row house (1889) where F. Scott Fitzgerald lived in 1919-1920 while writing his first published novel, This Side of Paradise. (courtesy of The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota - A Guide Compiled by Mary Ann Nord).

Mall of America - American Girl Store

2009-05-24T16:07:00.002-05:00

There is a new American Girl Store at the MOA. My daughter and I visited there the other day on a whim and had lunch with a doll at the restaurant. This photo is of the very cool (or so she tells me) new hand drying machines in the bathroom at the restaurant!

The doll and Hannah enjoying a light lunch.

Lemonade for the American Girl doll (Hannah has several dolls (gifts from others - not me) but we didn't have them with us but lo and behold you can have one to "rent" for free to sit with you while you have lunch. They think of everything.

The doll sits with you at the table (or in our case counter). The only thing to remember is that its a fairly expensive place to visit. The food was fairly reasonable but there is nothing under $25.00 in the store so be prepared.

Mall of America - Giant Mariachi!

2009-05-24T16:00:00.002-05:00

The MOA is always good for some oddball attractions. On a recent trip there my daughter and I discovered this giant marachi with no legs in front of a Mexican restaurant there. You never know what you'll find! Its a great place for kids, rides, food, shopping...well I guess its a great place if you want to spend a lot of money!

Goodhue County Museum - Red Wing Minnesota

2008-12-29T07:39:00.003-06:00

We recently visited Red Wing Minnesota and while there we toured the Goodhue County Museum. Its a very nicely done county museum. In fact it has made Kristo and I think that touring all small county museums might be a lot of fun! Its great for kids - the boys loved it. There was a nice hands on prairie school exhibit where they could touch things and play. Red Wing is known for Red Wing pottery which is shown here in a large display.

There were quite a few historical farming exhibits at the museum with lots of tools at all for the boys to admires.

There was a Girl Scout room full of old uniforms etc.

The dolls were kind of scary but always good for an oddball photo!

Here's the boys enjoying the prairie school exhibit.

Minneapolis 35W Bridge - Opening Day

2008-09-18T22:19:00.002-05:00

A little more than a year ago the bridge over the Mississippi river for Interstate 35W collapsed into the river and 13 people lost their lives in an instant. There are countless others who were on the bridge, had relatives that died or were in the area when the event occurred whose way of looking at their lives and the lives of others is forever altered. Today, earlier than most thought possible, the new bridge opened to traffic at 5am. I took my seven year old daughter and the boys over the bridge this morning two hours after it opened. My daughter had spent months after the collapse of the bridge plugging her nose as we would drive over bridges and lifting her feet off the floor...she said..."I want to make sure I am ready to swim if our car falls in the water." Through the months since the incident we have seen the bridge being re-built. Whenever we were in the area of the bridge we would stop to take some photos and look at what was going on. One day we found a huge fenced in area on the edge of the Mississippi with all the twisted metal - all that was left of the old bridge. Today we traveled over the new bridge. Its a beautiful bridge, clean, tall, strong and hopefully here for a long time. Here's a few photos from our drive this morning.

Presidential Parks - How Many Are There?

2008-09-11T06:23:00.005-05:00

While in South Dakota headed back towards Rapid City out of town back to the Twin Cities we saw this site...it was next to some Mobile homes in a grass field with a Commercial Lots for sale sign in the center of it...so naturally we stopped...we had never heard of this before but apparently there is a Presidential Park in Deadwood SD. None of this was clear from any of the signs around this particular apparent advertisement for the real "Presidential Park" so we were kind of baffled but here is the website for the actual "Presidential Park"
We didn't find out about the real "site" until we were at home and did a search but at this random site there was President Reagan...
JFK
and last and not least although in some eyes he might be least...George W Bush.
Here's a poster that was up around these statues talking about the real Presidential Park but not really making it clear where that was or we totally would have made the trip to go see it. Well another time and if you do a google search you'll see that there is another one being created in Texas as well as maybe Virginia? I think they should paint the statues or do a statue thing like they do in St. Paul with the Peanuts figures - you know you could have artists paint them and they could be like..."The One the Only Green George W. Bush" or something like that...just my thoughts but now that would be an Oddball event to travel to!

Boyd's World Famous Antiques

2008-09-09T06:28:00.004-05:00

We came across this store along the side of the road near Crazy Horse Monument outside of Custer South Dakota. This chicken looks similar to the one in Two Harbours Minnesota. This chicken is for sale at Boyd's for $1700.00 so if you have some extra money and want a giant chicken - he's all yours for that price or at least that is what "Boyd" told us anyway.
This horse was on its side the whole four or five days we were traveling around the Black Hills area. I am just wondering who buys this? Do you put this in your front yard? YIKES!
Somebody at Boyd's has a sense of humor.
Notice all prices depend upon the attitude of the customer! - Signed the Management. They had much much more at Boyd's then I was able to photograph including a real burro who appeared to be the lawn mower.

Anger Against Cut-Outs in Custer South Dakota

2008-09-09T06:25:00.002-05:00

We recently visited Custer South Dakota and I found this leaning up against a fence in the middle of town. Apparently someone had something against silly cut-outs.

Lock & Dam No. 2 - Hastings

2008-08-24T11:15:00.000-05:00

Good Thunder Minnesota's Grain Elevator Art

2008-08-14T06:46:00.002-05:00

The grain elevator art in Good Thunder Minnesota was some of the most fantastic oddball we have ever done. I was really impressed and amazed. Good Thunder is a very small town with these amazing grain elevators. It is definitely worth a trip to see these. We really enjoyed it.

Here's Hannah next to one of the paintings to give you a perspective on the perspective!

So cool!!

Roamin for Snowmn

2008-08-14T06:27:00.003-05:00

Back in 2002 or 2003 the Peanuts statues were going strong in St. Paul in the summer and so someone got the idea to do a find the snowman statue in the middle of winter. Frankly I think it probably would have done better as a part of the St. Paul winter carnival where people are out in the cold for other reasons in a limited area but this search was all over the Twin Cities and even as far away as Mankato. The snowmen were called Snowmn - you get it Snowmn - MN for Minnesota....etc. At any rate because we are huge oddball geeks we went out and took photos of them all but Kristo and my theory is that we were probably one of very few that did. Some of the Snowmn were a little scary!
Here's one with make-up!

Yeah this one we didn't understand at all and were slightly alarmed by....its a Snowmn ski crash...if you look carefully you'll see parts of skis and things poking out. No good.

Lion Water Fountain - Brainerd Minnesota

2008-08-07T06:07:00.002-05:00

We happened across this Lion Drinking Fountain in Brainerd and it reminded me of when I was a kid. I can remember these being around various places. I think there was a scary clown one as well.

Well it wasn't really "serving" since it wasn't working...

Hannah poses for a pretend drink!

The OxTrot - Finding Babe Statues

2008-08-07T05:40:00.005-05:00

On our way out of town we managed to catch a few of this summer's Oxtrot statue extravaganza - ok well its not really an extravaganza but its right up our alley so here you go - some excerpts from the 23 statues spread all over town...Here's "Jackson PollOx".
"Elvox"
"Jaycee the Ox"
Forgot to get the name - maybe "Underwater Ox?"
"Babe's Bank is Best"

Paul Bunyon Bowl in Baxter/Brainerd Minnesota

2008-08-07T05:17:00.007-05:00

We have been in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota for the past few days at Cragun's Resort. I would recommend Craguns if you have kids (ages 2+). They have a lot of activities for kids and my kids and my sister's kids love it there. I know I posted some photos of Brainerd previously but not this big guy. What I learned on the web at http://www.roadsideamerica.com/ is that this particular Muffler Man came from Sullivan MO to the Paul Bunyon bowl a few years back. He's located at the same corner where the Paul Bunyon amusement center use to be and is supposedly owned by the same people who use to own the park.

You can have big fun, big food, and big drinks - YUM!

This Babe is a little scary crushing the bowling pins!

Here's Kristo pretending to be a Muffler Man by the real Muffler Man in front of the bowl.

WPA Sandbox at Minnehaha Park

2008-08-01T22:34:00.005-05:00

In addition to a bridge over the creek and, allegedly, the retaining walls near the falls, the WPA put in this nice big sandbox at Minnehaha Park.
More about the projects at Minnehaha Park here.

The Works Progress Administration (renamed in 1939 the Work Projects Administration; WPA) was the largest New Deal agency, employing millions of people and affecting most every locality in the United States, especially rural and western mountain populations. It was created in April 1935 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential order, and activated with congressional funding in July of that year (the U.S. Congress funded it annually but did not set it up).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Works_Progress_Administration

The sandbox is located North of the bandshell.

World's Largest Twine Ball - Darwin Minnesota

2008-08-01T06:19:00.002-05:00

Here's a neat thing. The World's Largest Twine ball right here in Minnesota. Darwin Minnesota to be exact. You have to qualify it by saying "by one man" because apparently there are other large balls of twine in the world but not one made by one man - our man "Francis A. Johnson". Kristo, Hannah and I really enjoyed our trip to the twine ball. We went there in the middle of winter (February) and so everything was closed - the museum, gift shop etc. so we definitely are planning a trip back some day in better weather.
Its BIG!
Close up of the twine...
Here we are doing what we do best - posing in front of stuff...It was SUPER cold. Another below zero day for us searching for oddball. Neither rain nor sleet or cold of night...or whatever the saying is...will stop us in our pursuit of oddball.
Yep there is a Twine Ball Inn...and it had a spaghetti special or something the night we were there. It looks like there is a lot of fun things to do in Darwin but we didn't get to see much due to the cold. No one else was dumb enough to be out but us...again another reason for us to go back at some point in better weather!

Cosmos - Minnesota

2008-07-30T06:07:00.002-05:00

Here's one for true oddball seekers. Cosmos Minnesota was once Nelsonville. A citizen of Nelsonville had the idea that if they changed the name to Cosmos they might attract a University. It didn't happen. Here we are at the corner of Venus and Astro.
This is my personal favorite - the corner of S Milky Way and Southern Cross.
Venus and Gemini.
Its a cute little town and very interesting story. Its good for a visit when traveling around Minnesota.

Olivia Minnesota Giant Corn

2008-07-30T06:03:00.002-05:00

This giant statue speaks for itself. I know there are at least two corn statues in Minnesota (probably more) but Olivia claims to be the "Corn Capital".

Brainerd Water Tower

2008-07-25T06:12:00.003-05:00

I have been going to Brainerd Minnesota in the summer since before I can remember. My parents rented a cabin on Lake Shamineau (outside of Motley - 20 or so miles from Brainerd) for many many years when we were growing up. They eventually bought a cabin on that lake. At any rate we would always make the trek to Brainerd for Paul Bunyon land or dinner at Mr. Steak (no longer there) or some other place. In all those years I never noticed that the water tower looked like a castle! Anyway here you go...water tower castle in Brainerd Minnesota.

Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox

2008-07-24T06:30:00.004-05:00

Everyone who is my age and older grew up with the songs and stories about Paul Bunyon and Babe the Big Blue Ox. Hannah has now heard the stories and loves Big Paul and his friend the Ox. There are a lot of sites in Minnesota with some reference to Paul Bunyon but the most well known to me is Paul Bunyonland in Brainerd Minnesota. The park use to be right in the middle of Brainerd but they moved it a few years back and now its a few miles out of town. I can remember as a kid going to see Paul at Paul Bunyonland and its always amazing how he knows your name and talks to you! Hannah was a little alarmed at first but warmed up to him quickly as he chatted with her about things. Here she is sitting on his boot. We actually had to drag her away so other kids could talk to him! I think all kids should be able to experience a GIANT Paul Bunyon saying "Hey Hannah how are you today!". Its well worth the trip. That and the chickens in the box that you put money in and watch them peck at a knob or bell or something till something else happens...who can live without that?

Garrison Giant Walleye Statue

2008-07-24T06:22:00.002-05:00

There are a lot of giant fish around apparently. We have seen a few. I wonder how many there are across the United States? At any rate here's the big Walleye in Garrison Minnesota.

Robin Hood in Garrison Minnesota

2008-07-24T06:14:00.006-05:00

Here's a big guy located in Garrison Minnesota. That's me by Robin dressed in a similar outfit! It was completely by accident that I happened to be wearing the same color shirt and pants as my big buddy. I am sad to say I did not have those cool green boots or the hat. He is located at (come on you can guess...) the Sherwood Forest Mobile Home Park.

The Birthplace of Waterskiing - Lake City Minnesota

2008-07-24T05:59:00.002-05:00

Ralph Samuelson decided if you could ski on snow than you could ski on water and in 1922 he and his brother tried it out on Lake Pepin (really part of the Mississippi river) in Lake City, Minnesota. Lake City is just a little south of Red Wing. They have a nice little park dedicated to Ralph and his efforts. Lake City and Lake Pepin are really beautiful places to visit - just traveling from Red Wing south on Highway 61 in general is a nice drive with tremendous views from the bluffs along the river.

Arrowhead Bluffs Museum and Gift Shop - Wabasha Minnesota

2008-07-23T06:20:00.003-05:00

While in Wabasha Minnesota we came across this very unique museum. The Arrowhead Bluffs Museum and Gift Shop. The owner and his son are the ones that bagged all the animals in the museum. Its mostly taxidermied animals and guns. Its an Oddball must see if you are down in that area. Hannah liked it a lot too despite being a little afraid of some of the animals! Below are some examples of what we saw! The owner was nice enough to let us take some photos.

This is allegedly every Winchester rifle ever made...I am no expert so I would not know but it sure seemed like it might be just by the large numbers of them there!

Hannah really liked this guy! They also had a large steer, polar bear and a black bear - lots and lots of stuffed animals.

Ice Castle - St. Paul Winter Carnival 2004

2008-07-23T05:56:00.004-05:00

St. Paul Minnesota has an oddball carnival in the middle of winter called the St. Paul Winter Carnival. It dates back to 1886 or so. Its a week or so long celebration of winter that is based on a story of the seasons - and in the end spring of course takes over from winter. There are kings and queens and the infamous Vulcans (representing spring). I am sure I will do more on the carnival from time to time but its a great event for kids. I try to take my kids every year to the parades and other events. Click here to see the website for the whole event. The Minnesota Historical Society also has a site with history and historical photos from the event. Every year the Carnival has ice sculptures which are beautiful but every so many years they also build a ice castle. Here are some photos from the last ice castle in 2004. It really is something to see.
The castle is big enough for many many people to walk through.
They get blocks of ice from lakes and its expensive to build and maintain so they don't do it very often. The last few years they have had a hard time even with the ice sculptures since its increasingly warm during the winter here.
The carnival lights up the castle at night. Its really beautiful! This is a great event for kids (even when they don't have a castle!)

Squirrel Tails in Antigo, Wisconsin

2008-07-22T06:15:00.005-05:00

We ran into this place in 2005 in Antigo Wisconsin. I think this is Oddball at its best. I personally think this place is crying out for a giant squirrel statue don't you? They don't have one yet so if you are a good giant animal statue maker here is your opportunity!! Click here to see their website that describes what they do. Apparently squirrel tails make good fishing lures! Who knew? Mepps "recycles" squirrel tails so they don't want tails from squirrels that are just killed for sport they only want tails from squirrels that have been harvested for the table. And if you live in California, Idaho, Oregon and Texas you won't be able to participate because its illegal to sell squirrel tails there. Mepps offers tours to visitors as well if you want to see what they do with the tails. We did not take that tour. There is info on their site though if you are interested.

I grew up in the city and never would have imagined any one using squirrels for eating or for making fishing lures. We were mostly annoyed by them for wrecking things in our yards. The only dead ones we saw were flattened in the middle of the road in our neighborhood. So this whole squirrel recycling thing was really cool. I am all for recycling and zero waste and all that so if you are a big squirrel eater and not in the states mentioned above and want to travel to the middle of Wisconsin here's a good option for your leftover squirrel tails.

Thor - The Minnesota Thunder Soccer Team's Official Mascot

2008-07-20T21:33:00.003-05:00

Tonight we went to a Thunder soccer game in Blaine. In our quest to take photos with all mascots we took a photo with Thor the mascot for the Minnesota Thunder. Hannah was ok with him but the boys and I were a little alarmed. I had to actually get in the photo in order to have Henry in it. He really really didn't like Thor. I had to hold him in the photo and he ran like the wind after we were through. It was nice of Thor to pose with us though!! Go Thunder!

The Historic Anderson House in Wabasha Minnesota

2008-07-17T21:57:00.005-05:00

We stayed at the Anderson House in 2004 in Wabasha Minnesota. I have to highly recommend this B&B. Its reportedly the oldest operating B&B west of the Mississippi having opened its doors in 1856. A lot of the furniture dates back to that time. The year we stayed there it had just been purchased by the new owners. It was so relaxing in Wabasha. We took a trip there to do some oddball but I would go back there anytime. Their website is www.historicandersonhouse.com. We chose the Anderson House because I had read about their cats (for hire basically). When you stay there you can choose to have one of the cats that live in the hotel stay with you in your room.
Its a large B&B and it has quite a few rooms.

Here's the room we stayed in...we really enjoyed it. We did not opt to have one of the cats stay with us but Hannah really wanted to! We had to go visit them in their cubbies quite often during our stay.

Here's the cubby cat room where the cats stay when they are not being rented out. The hotel was pretty kid friendly on the whole but remember its old too so that's always something to take into consideration with little kids. Anyway take a look at their website - they provide a lot of information about the rooms and what they do. I also learned that apparently there were cat statues made for the 150th Anniversary of the B&B. So that's something to check out too if they are still around!!

Mary Tyler Moore Show - Minneapolis Memories

2008-07-17T11:53:00.005-05:00

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was filmed elsewhere but fictionally based in Minneapolis. The show ran from 1970 or so to the late 1970's. This statue was placed here in May 2002 near the spot where in the opening credits she takes off her hat and throws it in the air in the middle of the street. This photo was taken of Hannah and me near the statue in March 2003. Neither Kristo nor I thought it looked like Mary Tyler Moore very much but its kind of cool anyway. We were busy taking photos of the SnowMN (the oddest multi-sculpture event in the Twin Cities in my opinion - winter 2002-2003!) and so we took this one while we were at it...I loved that show as a kid. I would still watch it.
This house in the Kenwood neighborhood of Minneapolis was used as the alleged first apartment in the show.
Here's another shot.
This is the second apartment when the show kind of jumped the shark in my opinion but maybe that was when Rhoda left or whatever...anyway this was the "high-rise" apartment she fictionally lived in. You could probably spend a whole weekend visiting the spots of the Mary Tyler Moore show but you can't go into any of them (except the IDS center). In the IDS center you can eat at the table where she sat at in the opening shots but you have to specially request it. You could also walk around the lakes etc. but a lot of things have changed since the 1970's. I think if you visit Minneapolis there are some tours that still have all these things as part of their tours. Anyway who doesn't love MTM and the theme song? I bet a lot of people could still sing it. I can!!

St. Paul's Criminal Past

2008-07-16T06:04:00.002-05:00

During the late 1920's and 1930's St. Paul was a loaded with criminals. They had deals going on with the cops here and they were left alone for the most part. Ma Barker and her gang, John Dillinger and more. Their imprint is still all over the city. This apartment building in St. Paul on Lexington Ave. near Grand was one of their famous residences. They also had a cave in downtown St. Paul that they turned into a club. Its still active today. I have had a couple of friends who were married there. They have gangster tours that you can take if you are visiting St. Paul. I wouldn't recommend for small kids but its really interesting for adults.

St. Paul's Summit Ave. - The Casket House

2008-07-16T05:57:00.005-05:00

This house was built for a undertaker in town. Its known as the casket house. Its a little creepy but there is a casket built into the top of the house' archtecture. This is a private residence now. I noticed the other day as I was driving by that they are now doing some renovation work on this house so I am not sure if it just recently changed owners or if the current owners are just updating. If you are visiting St. Paul there are many tours that go up and down Summit Ave talking about the architecture and the history. Its very interesting and you can tour some of the old homes. I'll try to cover some of them at a later date. Its not ideal for little kids though. The tours are through old homes (not at all stroller or small child friendly).
Here is a closer look!

St. Paul Summit Ave. - Haunted House

2008-07-16T05:51:00.002-05:00

Summit Ave in St. Paul is a unique street of homes built for the rich and famous in the late 1800's and early 1900's. There are probably quite a few of these homes on Summit but this one is well known and considered "haunted". Allegedly you can hear someone on the stairs and people see individuals in old style dress etc.

Minnesota Famous People Connections - F. Scott Fitzgerald

2008-07-16T05:44:00.003-05:00

F. Scott Fitzgerald was born at this house on September 24, 1896. He was named for the writer of the star spangled banner. There is many more Minnesota and St. Paul specifically references to Fitzgerald which I will try to photograph at some point or another. This is on Laurel street in St. Paul close to downtown and the famous Summit Ave.

Minnesota Famous People Connections - Amelia Earhart

2008-07-16T05:39:00.004-05:00

Amelia Earhart lived in this house in St. Paul during her high school years from approximately 1913-1915 or so. This is a private residence now. Its located in the heart of St. Paul near the famous Summit Avenue.

Great Hinkley Minnesota Fire - September 1, 1894

2008-07-13T06:34:00.005-05:00

I have been going to visit Duluth since before I can remember. Its a fairly quick trip from the Twin Cities up I35. About 1/2 way is the famous mid-point stop (you know gas, bathroom break, snacks, lunch etc.). 1/2 way is Hinkley Minnesota. I would say that is kind of Hinkley's main claim to good fame. Its other claim to fame (in not a good way) is the Hinkley Fire of 1894. On September 1, 1894 a forest fire raced through town killing 418 people.

There are four trenches in the cemetary (seen here) in Hinkley where 248 residents are buried.

There is a pit on the edge of old Hinckley where 100 residents along with pets, farm animals and wild animals survived the fire. Apparently there was no where for people to go during the fire. They tried to get the train going but the train caught on fire as well. These 100 people survived by huddling in this trench. Its an amazing story.

There are statues at the trench area depicting those 100 people who survived. There is a museum in Hinkley with more information on the fire. I'll never forget this particular trip to Hinkley because Hannah was pretty young yet maybe 3 or 3 1/2 and we had just had lunch at Hardees. We stopped for gas and she wanted to get a "bug juice" from the gas station. I didn't really know what "bug juice" was at the time - my sister's kids both drank it and so I assumed she had had it with them. So I agreed to a "green" bug juice. We were just about to head back out on the freeway and we were looking at a few other things in town when Hannah (I assume from riding in the car, milk, chicken strips, french fries and then "bug juice") said from her car seat.."Mom?" in kind of a funny voice. I looked back and she lost all of it all over the car, her car seat clothes etc. Yuck. We just cleaned her up took off the car seat cover and continued on. Live and learn...never mix, lunch, oddballing, and bug juice with a young kid!

Big Louie the Voyageur in Barnum Minnesota

2008-07-13T06:24:00.007-05:00

Again with the Minnesota big Voyageur's. Here is Big Louie. He is located at a BP gas station and Little Store in Barnum Minnesota right outside of Duluth. Big Louie is an easy stop on the way to Duluth and you can have a snack and get some gas at the same time!! Plus there's a HUGE gift shop. For more information on Big Louie see the comments at The Big Stuff Project Blog or Josh's attached comments to this post! Thanks for the info Josh!

Here's me underneath him to give you perspective. I think Hannah was sleeping - usually she's the one that wants to pose with the giant guys.

Sock Monkeys as Oddball

2008-07-11T11:44:00.005-05:00

I think sock monkeys are the oddest thing and they seem to be everywhere. Well, I think monkeys in general are in right now but sock monkeys kind of cross the ages. Who invented the sock monkey? Apparently it was invented by some nuns in Wisconsin. Allegedly, a swedish immigrant in Rockford, Illinois John Nelson invented a sock knitting machine in 1869. Nelson's company then started making socks with red-heels. In the 40's or 50's the president of a company in Illinois shipped a bunch of socks to some nuns in Wisconsin for Christmas. Why? I don't know. Anyway, the nuns turned the socks into monkey dolls to raise money and there you go. I think Montgomery Ward or something eventually started making them for profit. At any rate they are just weird if you ask me but people love them. At the State Fair last year there was a display at the Creative Arts Building with different variations of the sock monkey. Here's a dress sock monkey.

A hat!!

I don't even know...

Here's a sock monkey from the Arizona Living History Museum outside of Phoenix Arizona. I think they are a little off the date mark with this...

And to this I just say...Oh dear!

Pierre the Giant (pantless) Voyageur in Two Harbors Minnesota

2008-07-11T06:22:00.007-05:00

Also in Two Harbors is another giant voyageur called Pierre. He's been there a LONG time. I think he's made of cement. I believe he use to be part of a hotel. The problem with this guy is that not only is he cracking a little bit but he's got no PANTS! Its sad that he's been standing around for so long in his go go boots, shirts and no pants. Its a must see if you are in Two Harbors. I hope that someone takes care of him so he doesn't permanently fall apart!

Look at how sad he is about his pants!

Lighthouse B & B - Two Harbors Minnesota

2008-07-11T06:16:00.005-05:00

You can stay overnight at this lighthouse! Its a converted old lighthouse. We didn't stay there - again kids and this place probably not a good idea. They have a website. Apparently you have to work if you stay there or something like that. Seems cool though and definitely on Kristo and my list of places to try and stay sometime later in life. Lighthouse B&B

Large Chicken Statue - Two Harbors Minnesota

2008-07-11T06:07:00.007-05:00

Just inside Two Harbours Minnesota (20 miles north of Duluth) is this large chicken statue in front of Weldon's gift store. I love the little comment on the base of the statue. I did keep kind of looking around after reading it to see who was observing me! Hannah really wanted to sit on it too. I had to keep pulling her away from trying to climb up its leg. Its weird what Hannah will get attached to on our Oddball tours. She really really liked this chicken. I mean its not like we have never seen another large chicken before! But we were there several years ago and she always looks for it when we drive by and asks when we are going to go look at it again.

The William Irvin - Big Ship in Duluth Minnesota

2008-07-11T05:58:00.003-05:00

The William Irvin is one of Lake Superior's big ships that has been converted into a museum near Canal Park in Duluth Minnesota. I have toured it a couple of times but we are waiting till the boys are a bit bigger to take them since they are a bit wild right now for climbing around in small places. Anyway, I wouldn't recommending taking small kids on this one but older kids would probably enjoy it.

Karpele's Museum - Duluth Minnesota

2008-07-11T05:37:00.004-05:00

The Karpele's Museums are located all over the country. This one is in Duluth Minnesota. Karpele's Museum is the largest private holding of original manuscripts and documents. When we were there a few years ago they had original scores and other music manuscripts. We were really impressed. I have lived in Minnesota most of my life and I had never heard of this museum. We went there on an oddball search but we left it thinking it was something that more people should see. They shift their manuscripts around the different Karpeles Museums around the county. Click on my photo of the sign above and it'll take you to the Karpeles site for more information.

Franconia Sculpture Park - Lindstrom Minnesota

2008-07-10T06:12:00.007-05:00

Just outside of Lindstrom Minnesota is this unique sculpture park. Its in the middle of a farm field in the middle of nothing else. As you are driving down a country road you can see the sculptures from the road. Its a very unique place. In the summer they have lots of activities for kids and adults. Its well worth visiting! We went there on one of the coldest days in 2007. We didn't stay long and no one else was there with us. Honestly it was so cold it took my breath away. Kristo and I didn't think it was good for the boys so we just took a few quick snaps of them and he took them back to the car and loaded them back in. Hannah and I ran (literally) around the circuit of the sculptures but we sure didn't linger! I recommend going in the summer time. My friend Tom was just there this weekend and really enjoyed it as well but he did the opposite and went on one of the hottest (93) and most humid days this summer.

The photos of these giant statues just don't do them justice. They are HUGE and very cool.

Here they are closer...

Another cool sculpture at the park...

Not sure what this is but cool....

Frank Lloyd Wright - Gas Station

2008-07-10T06:00:00.006-05:00

Also in Cloquet is a Frank Lloyd Wright designed gas station. It needed a little work when we were there a few years back but now that gas prices are $4.00 a gallon maybe that'll change.

Giant Voyageur in Cloquet Minnesota

2008-07-10T05:55:00.005-05:00

Like I said - there are a LOT of these giant statues of voyageurs in Minnesota. Here's another one. This one looks like its wood but its not. I think its fiberglass but I am not sure. There's me again at the bottom to show you how large it is. Cloquet is located just west of and south of Duluth. You have to get off I35 and drive a little way and there is Cloquet. Its a cute little town.

Chainsaw Carved Wood Statue of a Giant Voyageur

2008-07-09T06:23:00.004-05:00

Minnesota is home to many various giant statues of voyageurs. We haven't seen all of them yet but we are working on it. Here's a really big voyageur located in Pine City Minnesota. That's me at the bottom to give you a perspective on how large this statue is!! Its was carved out of a giant redwood tree using a chainsaw.

Little Mermaid in Albert Lea

2008-07-09T06:10:00.005-05:00

This cheery, friendly mermaid statue is located in a lake in the city of Albert Lea Minnesota. Albert Lea is very close to the Iowa/Minnesota border. I don't really know why the Mermaid is there but there she is!

Owatonna Minnesota P-38's

2008-07-09T06:03:00.005-05:00

You can see these planes while driving on I35 in Minnesota just south of the Twin Cities in Owatonna. They are located in a field right next to the Cabela's store. Apparently they were originally in front of an air museum that no longer exists and then were moved to this location in the late 1990's. Its pretty impressive.

Here's the "In Memory of" Buzz Kaplan in front of the display.

Spam Museum Austin Minnesota (Hormel Foods)

2008-07-08T22:31:00.003-05:00

I wasn't sure about this Viking guy but there he is - not sure about the jeans and t-shirt as Viking wear.

Hannah and I are all suited up and ready to pack some Spam. They had an interactive demonstration where you get to try to see how fast you can package the Spam. The actual time it takes someone who works for Hormel to do it is amazing!!

Spam Museum - Austin Minnesota (Hormel Foods)

2008-07-08T22:24:00.006-05:00

Here we are posing with another happy Spam family.

Spam was really a great thing for soldiers because its in a can, protein and easily packaged and carried.

Spam deli with interactive computers!

Spam Museum - Austin Minnesota (Hormel Foods)

2008-07-08T22:05:00.007-05:00

In Austin Minnesota in southern Minnesota is the Spam Museum. We went there once on sort of a last minute - hey let's go do some oddball kind of thing so we drove to Austin and went to the Spam Museum. Hannah was about 3 or 4 at the time. She absolutely LOVED the Spam Museum so people with kids if you are visiting Minnesota don't forget to visit the Spam Museum. Even without kids it would be a lot of fun. Always call though before you go there...we tried to go again recently with the boys and they were not open on Sundays. The gift shop was open and so that kind of saved the day for Hannah and the boys. We are now the proud owners of a Spam clock, Spam basketball, a Spammy (pig) stuffed animals and I think a snow dome with the museum inside. Hannah asks regularly when we are going to try and go there again.

On our trip in 2004 this was right in side the door! Wow!!

This little guy was right inside the door too. I think we have one of him somewhere in our house as well. Hannah made us buy a can of Spam to take home. Kristo and I had purchased one years before just to try it and tried making it for breakfast and just couldn't do it. When we were on our honeymoon in Hawaii though we had some and it was ok so I guess its all in how its prepared maybe? Obviously there is a market for it out there. Sure its oddball and totally fun as well!

Fish Tree

2008-07-08T06:26:00.004-05:00

Minnesota has many large fish statues. This is one we found at a home in a small town Minnesota. I like the idea of old trees being carved into something else. It reminds me of Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree children's book. Their whole yard was FULL of stuff. We also stopped in an old antique store in town and Hannah and I went in to look for Cherry Ames (nurse) books from the 50's (something I have been collecting since I was a kid). We didn't find that and so we bought a glass mug (remember the ones Arby's use to give out in the 70's). It was a nice little town. Since this was a private house and like one of only three houses in the town and there wasn't much else there I am not listing the name of the town.

Sinclair Gas Station - Dinosaur Statue

2008-07-07T21:51:00.004-05:00

There are quite a few of these Sinclair dinosaur statues in Minnesota. Its my understanding that Minnesota is one of a few states (Colorado, Missouri, etc.) that still have the dinosaurs. This one is relatively small and its tail is broken. Its at a Sinclair station on the corner of Little Canada Road and 35E in St. Paul, Minnesota. We stopped for gas this morning and the boys saw it from the car and wanted to get a closer look.

Apparently, this Dino has been the mascot of Sinclair for years. I am thinking this might be something to try and find more of...

Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota

2008-07-07T06:36:00.005-05:00

There are some special exhibits at the Judy Garland Museum. Here is a glass case full of clown dolls - to which I have to say Why? There weren't just these though...there were cases and cases of dolls dressed up as various characters. There is Judy Garland (I think the scariest one) and then this King doll. All very bizarre.

Also a part of the museum is this kind of odd room full of taxidermied animals. Here's Hannah mocking one of them. We didn't get the connection between the animals and Judy Garland but we loved it anyway.
Here's the educational room at the museum. It has a giant talking tree. My kids were kind of alarmed by it. Hannah wouldn't go anywhere near it. I have to admit I was a little alarmed by the rubber lips that moved and the blinking eyes. Grand Rapids is a definite place to put on your touring map if you like historical oddball.

Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota

2008-07-07T06:25:00.004-05:00

One place that shouldn't be missed if you are visiting Minnesota and looking for oddball and fun is the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Its the birthplace of Judy Garland. She was born Frances Gumm. Her father owned a theatre in town. From the descriptions at the museum her whole family led a pretty tough life. You can tour the house itself although a lot of the furniture and other items in the house say..."Could have belonged to Judy Garland" kind of thing...still its so worth it to go. We had a fantastic time there.
Out in front are the requisite cut out head photo ops...here's the family posed in some of them.
This is my favorite photo...as you can see all can join in the fun.
Inside the museum there are a lot of extras that you can look at including more cut-outs - here's the munchkin one! Every year they have a festival in Grand Rapids to honor Judy Garland. The remaining munchkins usually show up and you can have breakfast with them. A couple of years ago though we were all set to go visit them museum because we had heard that one set of the original red shoes were there but unfortunately they were stolen before we could get there that year. They do seem to have beefed up security now.

Peanuts Statues in Downtown St. Paul

2008-07-07T06:22:00.002-05:00

One of the results of all the Looking for Lucy, Finding Charlie Brown, and Snoopy events in downtown St. Paul is the creation of giant I think brass statues that are permanently positioned in downtown St. Paul. Here are the kids near a couple of them. There are quite a few.

Point Reyes California

2008-07-07T06:15:00.003-05:00

Point Reyes California is truly one of the most beautiful spot in the United States if not the world. Its north of San Francisco just off of Highway 1. A warning though it takes a LONG time to get there once you turn off from the highway to get there. You wind around and around on small roads. I did not realize that California in that area is very big dairy country. We saw all these dairy farms driving up there and then we tried Point Reyes cheese when we came home and it was delicious. This place is truly worth a visit. As with the Muir National Monument its impossible to capture the beauty of the spot in photographs.

Muir National Monument

2008-07-07T06:11:00.003-05:00

During our trip to San Francisco we drove north to Point Reyes and also visited the Muir National Monument. The redwoods were just incredible. Its not far out of San Francisco up Highway 1.

Mr. McFeely - Mr. Rogers Neighborhood

2008-07-06T06:17:00.002-05:00

I grew up with Mister Roger's Neighborhood. Recently we were at a festival celebrating PBS in downtown St. Paul. Mr. McFeely (really David Newell) was there in person! He's a very nice person and Hannah and Kristo had a nice chat with him. The character McFeely was named after Fred McFeely Rogers middle name which I think was an old family name. What a great guy! Speedy Delivery Mr. McFeely! Speedy Delivery.

San Francisco - Shopping, Seals, and Sunshine

2008-07-05T23:10:00.005-05:00

Last year we went to San Francisco. Here is Kristo and Hannah in a shop in China town.
Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf had all of these seals...I mean really really a lot of seals.
Everyone who knows me knows that I am not the biggest fan of clowns. I mean I have tried but...at any rate we went to a very nice museum in Berkeley while we were there with a lot of nice exhibits but this giant scary clown alley was not one of them!
The San Francisco Golden Gate bridge is one of those things that everyone should try to visit at some point in their lives. The view is tremendous! Here's the city view from the middle of the bridge. There were all these signs all the way across the bridge with phones to call counselors if you were thinking about jumping.

Como Zoo - Sparky the Seal and Much More

2008-07-05T22:21:00.004-05:00

Como Zoo in St. Paul has been around a long time. I am not sure how long I think the land was purchased in the 1800's sometime. The old buildings were built as part of the WPA project. When I was young the zoo was basically this one building and then a round outdoor building with yards for animals all around it. It wasn't very humane but probably like most zoos in the 1960's and 1970's. The 1936 building had animals cooped up in cages and you walked around and looked at them inside. They had a giant tortoise that walked around inside and you were allowed to ride him. Again probably not the best thing for the animals. The animals paced back and forth across the cage. I remember wondering if they ever took them out for walks or anything but of course no one was very concerned about it. The zoo was renovated in the 1980's and the old building is now an administration building. You can still see from the outside where the animal cages were. Its still a pretty small zoo but is free (basically - they now ask for a "voluntary" donation but still compared to the Minnesota Zoo its probably one place that people without a whole lot of money can go and visit with their kids without worrying about paying for things}. One part of the zoo that has been around as long as I can remember is Sparky the Seal. There have been many many Sparky's over the years. Sparky does a little 1/2 hour show a couple of times during the day in the good weather months. Here's the family posed in front of the Sparky statue. If you are in St. Paul - Como Zoo is worth a visit. They have an amusement park attached - which up till a couple of years ago was kind of a frightening experience but its all been revamped and its really nice now. They also have the old Merry-go-round from the State Fair and they have crabby volunteers that give you a bunch of rules before you get on it and kind of scare you a little bit about it - almost like when you use to go to your Grandmother's house and she had all this ugly breakable stuff that you couldn't touch - but I guess you can't blame them really - I mean its an antique.
Here's Hannah on top of Don the Gorilla statue. The Gorillas and the Orangutans are the one part of Como Zoo that sort of bothers me. I mean any zoo really. They use to have two gorillas at Como Zoo - Don and Donna (when I was younger) I was a little horrified that there was one name Donna. Anyway, I don't think they liked each other very much or something I can't remember there was some story about them that I recall. Anyway Como has this whole building now dedicated to Primates and the gorillas are in there now. I just wonder about keeping gorillas and primates in captivity. I mean the look on the gorillas face when you are in there. It just makes you think. He always looks like he would like to take your head off and well I guess he is a gorilla and could easily do that but still it makes you think. They just look so unhappy and bored. Anyway, Don the Gorilla died at some point and is now stuffed and is in a glass cage at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Its sort of weird. I spent a lot of time trying to explain to Hannah about the stuffed Don the Gorilla at the SMM.
They have all these sculptures around Como Zoo. They use to let you take your photo on them but I think they got sick of painting them or something and so now their are giant signs that say don't touch.
They also did a nice job painting murals on the walls of some of the public buildings. This is on the side of the food building. I think they have sort of captured the gorilla look pretty well in this one. Como also has the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory attached to it. Its so nice to go there in the winter. You just feel better walking into all the flowers and green and fountains. So even if you aren't into the animals or amusement rides the Conservatory is well worth the trip to Como.

The Nordic Inn in Crosby Minnesota

2008-07-05T08:50:00.004-05:00

While visiting the giant serpent statue in Crosby you could also spend the night at the Nordic Inn. Its an inn that serves in the style of the Vikings and treats you as if you were a Viking...there's a theme here I think. We did not stay there but I saw a show on it and if you are a Renaissance festival kind of a person you would really like it.

Crosby's Giant Serpent Statue

2008-07-05T08:44:00.004-05:00

Crosby Minnesota is home to the Giant Serpent statue. Its right on the edge of the lake in town. This was a particular favorite of the boys and Hannah as big giant statues go...I thought it was pretty darn cool as well. Crosby is near the Brainerd Lakes area in Minnesota's lake country. Its a nice little town to visit.

Fourth of July Celebrations!

2008-07-04T19:57:00.002-05:00

There is probably nothing more Americana than the Fourth of July parades and picnics. Here's Razzle the French Bulldog getting ready to go on parade!

The kids are all suited up and ready to go!
There was a clown leading the parade. She had some control issues. Here she is leading the bikers that were starting the parade. We were a little afraid she might get run over by an errant biker. A good time was had by all though...another successful Fourth of July parade.

Diggin' Dinos - Science Museum of MN turns 100

2008-07-03T16:03:00.005-05:00

The summer of 2007 was the year for finding all the dinosaur statues around town in honor of the Science Museum of Minnesota's 100th anniversary. This has become sort of a thing in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) area where a company has statues manufactured by a local company (Tivoli II) and the puts them around town and puts out a list and people go around and take photos. It started with the Peanuts characters in 2000. St. Paul put out 100 or so Snoopy statues and a list and people spent all summer going around and taking photos of each one.
We didn't do the Snoopy's we hadn't had Hannah yet etc. We started with the Charlie Brown statues in 2001 and have been going ever since. There was a little break from the statues after the infamous SnowMN yes not Snowmen but SnowMN - I'll put some of those out at a later date. They were truly oddball. We of course did all the Snowmn but I am not sure how many others did. Braving a cold Minnesota winter to take photos was just too much for people and I think there may have been some burn-out from the Peanuts.
We did a lot of the Dinos although I don't think we got them all as we had with the SnowMN and Peanuts characters - we had the Dickey 125th celebration and Dad (who lives with us) got sick etc. and everything we do became SO MUCH more complicated with the twins in the mix. We just barely had time to think when they were so little much less find dino statues. We did our best though...
This is the kind of behind the scenes sort of shot...Kristo shooting his video (a big part of our search for statues and Hannah as the star...as you can see the twins were NOT cooperating.

Giant Booming Prairie Chicken - Rothsay Minnesota

2008-07-03T11:53:00.002-05:00

Rothsay Minnesota is the home of the GIANT Booming Prairie Chicken. Up close its a little scary - see below. Otherwise well worth a trip to Rothsay to see...there is a nice park attached by the convenience store.

Frontier Village by the Giant Buffalo in Jamestown ND

2008-07-03T11:42:00.002-05:00

Right next to the Giant Buffalo is the Frontier Village. I think it was built in 1965. There are a lot of nice old buildings to go into and volunteers that talk about the historical information.

Always fun riding the stage coach!
There is a little space devoted to Louis L'Amour an author from North Dakota. He was my mother's favorite author. She talked and talked about Louis L'Amour. I am sorry to say that I don't think I have ever read one of his books. That'll be on my list of things to do now. My cousin was volunteering at the Louis L'Amour booth the day we were there. Louis L'Amour was French Canadian and born in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Jamestown North Dakota - Giant Buffalo

2008-07-03T11:35:00.004-05:00

Some day maybe I'll put out ALL the photos I have of this giant buffalo in Jamestown North Dakota. It sits high on a hill and can be seen from the freeway. Every member of my family I believe has had their photo taken in front of this buffalo at some point. This photo is from the Dickey 125th trip and features, my sister Karen, Austin, Henry, Hannah and Kristo (as well as some painters who were fixing up the buffalo). I have a photo of me in front of this buffalo when I was maybe 5 years old. I think that's how all the giant statue, oddball started in my life. There is a really nice litte frontier village attached to it that my kids enjoyed. Stop for a visit if you are on 94 headed through North Dakota.
The statue itself was built in 1959 and is made out of sprayed cement over a metal structure. This photo is of Kristo interviewing one of the people that designed it...Elmer Peterson. He was up at the statue doing some touch-up work when we were there.

Tallest Man Oddball - Dickey 125th Celebration

2008-07-03T06:32:00.003-05:00

At the Dickey 125th there was a booth with a North Dakota oddities show. Inside was a cut-out of the World's Tallest guy (I think the cut out was paper covered in blue duct tape). Hannah was fascinated by the World's tallest guy and said, "Mom Mom!! Take my photo by the World's tallest guy."

There is Oddball in all Places - Dickey Oddball

2008-07-03T06:29:00.002-05:00

I truly believe you can find a little oddball anywhere you go. So at the 125th in Dickey driving around town after the big feed we found this attached to a telephone pole. Not sure what went on but it confirms my belief that Oddball is everywhere.

Dickey Bar

2008-07-03T06:27:00.001-05:00

The Dickey bar was hopping at the 125th celebration. Its a nice little bar in a nice small town.

Dickey North Dakota - Walking to School

2008-07-03T06:22:00.003-05:00

Here's a photo of my Dad walking up the old sidewalk that lead to the Dickey School. The school was torn down in 1970. It was weird to see him walking up the sidewalk I am sure thinking about how he use to walk up to the school. At the 125th they had a bunch of activities for kids in the park. Hannah had a great time with the obstacle course and hidden hay prizes etc. They kept the old bell from the school and that is in a gazebo in the park.

Dickey Road and More from the Dickey 125th

2008-07-03T05:57:00.001-05:00

This is a photo of an old road in Dickey. There's a sign for the road but not much of a road left. My Dad thinks this is where the house that he was born in use to be. The house he was born in was not much bigger than a garage. He was born not too long after they moved to Dickey and before they moved to the farm across the bridge. The house was torn down a few years back. The last time I saw it it was deserted and had a tree kind of growing through it. Still I am sad that it was torn down. It was always amazing to see how small it was and to think how crowded it would have been for Grandma and my grandfather and kids to live there. The farm house was much bigger Dad says.
The 125th had a wonderful Pie Social...here's a photo of the pies! Yum!!!
The quilts at the 125th were amazing. During the Dickey School Reunion Dad won a quilt but we weren't there for the drawing. Dad still talks about the quilt he won but never received.

Dickey's 125th Celebration Parade

2008-07-03T05:54:00.001-05:00

The Dickey 125th had a lovely parade. Lots of tractors and horses. Hannah got a lot of candy and Austin and Henry loved the machines.

Dickey, North Dakota

2008-07-03T05:16:00.000-05:00

Dickey North Dakota is the home town of my father and I have very fond memories of this little town. I think the 2000 census said that there were 57 people living there. Dickey is in LaMoure County North Dakota. There is also a Dickey County in ND so I always thought it was odd that Dickey wasn't located in Dickey County. The town was founded by Alfred Dickey in 1881. My father's family emigrated from England to Dickey in about 1912-15 or so. My grandfather came over from Cornwall England to North Dakota in about 1912 because a cousin of his (last name Arthur) had moved to North Dakota and had had a windfall farming there. My grandmother followed soon after with my Dad's sister Monica who was only a year or so old at the time. My grandmother and grandfather lived in Dickey for many years and then moved to Jamestown after my father was already graduated from high school. He was born there in 1915. He is 93 now. He has very fond memories of living in Dickey and has passed that love of the town on to me and even to my husband through me. We really enjoy visiting there and the people we have met that live there are just tremendous. The picture here is of Dickey from the top of the hill. This is the way I always think of Dickey from the many times we have come to visit. Looking down at the little town from the top of the hill on a sunny day. It was a booming, bustling town when my father was small with a big school and many businesses. It like a lot of small towns in the United States has fallen on harder times but the charm and pride in this little town continues on...Every Wednesday night my father gets a copy of the LaMoure Chronicle (local paper) by e-mail. We read the Dickey news which is a weekly column by his old friend Doris. We look forward to reading it to him and learning the latest news of the people living there.
This photo is from one end of town looking back towards the old bank building (not active anymore). These photos are all from our trip there in June 2007 for the 125th Anniversary celebration. It was quite the event and we had a wonderful time bringing Dad there. It was an absolutely beautiful day. We had been there in 2002 or so for the All Dickey School Reunion but that day it was about 115 degrees in the shade and so we weren't able to stay long. The Dickey 125th had near perfect weather - not too hot, no rain etc.
Dickey Grain Elevator.
The famous and infamous Dickey Bridge. The Dickey bridge had been unsafe to cross for years and years. We always would cross it anyway - ignoring the signs that said - not safe because my family's farm had always been on the other side of this bridge from the town of Dickey. A few years back we read about the bridge being re-done in the LaMoure Chronicle. There was some controversy in it because the team that re-built it did a poor job and it had to be fixed almost immediately after it was finished. Its a nice bridge now. The Dickey park is across the bridge and the James River runs right next to the park. My Dad tells us story of skating on that river by the park when he was young.

Big Chicken at Flippin Bill's in Delano Minnesota

2008-07-02T14:35:00.001-05:00

At Flippin Bill's in Delano Minnesota not only can you get gas and fried chicken but you can take your photo by this giant chicken that is out in the parking lot off of the freeway. This is a photo of the whole family in front of the chicken. I am sure we looked pretty silly from the freeway taking this photo! We had snacks Doritos and ice cream and watched a twins game while we were at Flippin Bill's.

Vilhelm Moberg and the Lindstrom Connection

2008-07-02T06:15:00.000-05:00

There is a swedish author Vilhelm Moberg who wrote a novel about emigrants to Lindstrom Minnesota. It was fictional but probably close to the truth about the emigration from Sweden to Minnesota (don't ya know). Karl Oskar and Kristina are the main characters of the book (I haven't read it - if you have let me know if its any good). Vilhelm Moberg came to Lindstrom to visit at one point I guess and was honored by the Lindstromions and there are signs up outside a big house in town that still say Vilhelm Moberg stayed here. The first time I was there I called Kristo and said..."Ya who da heck is Vilhelm Moberg?" Now we know!
Here's Hannah (briefly) out in front of the statue of Kristina and Karl (the ficticious characters) in Lindstrom. She thought they were awesome.
On the other side of Kristina and Karl there is a small replica of the Statue of Liberty! We thought it was a little oddball to just have the statue of liberty there in below zero weather in the middle of February in small town Minnesota.

Lindstrom Minnesota - Coffee Pot Water Tower

2008-07-02T06:06:00.001-05:00

There is a small town outside of the Twin Cities a ways (probably about 45 minutes or whatever) that made its water tower a coffee pot with Scandanavian design. I have been to Lindstrom several times. They have a county courthouse there (Chisago County) that I have had to go to for work several times. Kristo and the kids and I went there seeking Oddball on one of the coldest days that year in the middle of February. It was SUPER cold. Below zero - so we didn't get out of the car too much.
There is a doughnut shop across the street from where we stopped that sells Swedish doughnuts. They were good - pretty much like your average doughnut though. Kristo also went into the local meat shop...called Meat Shop and talked to a guy that was hanging outside the door about the road construction going on in town because there were all sorts of signs protesting it all over. The guy Kristo talked to had one of the thickest Minnesota accents that we have ever run into! At any rate we may have to go back and visit the coffee pot water tower in the summer sometime because apparently it blows steam out of the pot at certain times in the summer when most normal people visit Lindstrom apparently.

The Capitol building in Baton Rouge Louisiana

2008-07-02T05:40:00.000-05:00

The capitol building in Baton Rouge Louisiana is a skyscraper type of building. Its art decoish...we were able to tour the inside of this building. It was very beautiful. We also took an elevator to the top to see the view. It was very interesting. This was a trip we took in January 2007.

Hannah wrote a song about Louisiana after we were there. She wrote it on the back of a napkin on the way home in the plane. As I recall it mentioned the trees, food and the gators.

South Carolina Capitol - 2006

2008-07-01T06:24:00.001-05:00

Kristo and I decided that it would be fun and also educational for the kids to visit all the capitols in the United States. We have done quite a few but really haven't made a dent so we should get going on it. But now with gas prices the way they are...at any rate...here is the capitol of South Carolina in Columbia. Its a very beautiful building. The first photo is of the kids and Kristo in front of the capitol grounds.
This is a view from the capitol steps looking out.
A view of the entire front of the building.
A wall that is a tribute to the suffering of the men and women who were slaves and their battle for freedom.
Another view from the back of the capitol.

Paula Deen's Savannah Georgia

2008-07-01T06:16:00.000-05:00

We watch a lot of the Food Network. Hannah really likes Alton Brown's and Paula Deen's shows. So when we visited Savannah she really wanted to go to The Lady and Sons restaurant. I told her we couldn't go on this visit because we didn't have time. That didn't stop her from pressing up against the glass to try and see if she could see Paula Deen inside. I would love to go back sometime and eat there. There was a huge line outside the restaurant the day we were there and it was just some day in the middle of the week. Savannah is beautiful. I would live there in a heartbeat. Its like no place else on earth - its so close to the ocean and there is water everywhere. You get a good feeling from just being there. I highly recommend visiting there if you get the chance. I wish we had more photos to show.

Thomas the Tank Engine LIVE

2008-07-01T06:11:00.000-05:00

We have gone to this event for the last two years. The giant Topham Hat guy was really kind of alarming. Hannah loved it though - so I guess that's what counts not that Mom was scared of him. The event has "real" characters from the show (Sir Topham Hat) and then a ride on Thomas. This was from our 2006 visit.

The Mermaid

2008-07-01T06:06:00.001-05:00

This is the Mermaid that is on top of the Mermaid bar and restaurant in Anoka, Minnesota. Its huge - that's Hannah at the bottom of the photo for comparison. She's been on top of that building for a long time - at least since I was a kid. Really I think it speaks for itself as Oddball.

Goldie the Gopher University of Minnesota Mascot

2008-06-30T13:08:00.000-05:00

Goldy Gopher is the University of Minnesota mascot. We try to get a photo with him whenever we can. Here's Hannah giving him a big hug at the Grand Ole' Day parade in 2006.