Moooooo!

You just can't miss Salem Sue when traveling across Interstate 94 in North Dakota. From a far distance, she appears on the horizon. This time I decided to pay her a visit.

Located a short distance off the highway at the New Salem exit, you can drive almost to the base of Sue. The New Salem Lions Club asks for a $1 donation per vehicle to help maintain Sue and I think that is very reasonable. Sue is in great condition and worth the price of admission, not to mention the view from up there!

The Storyteller

Her face lights up,

her hands and voice

tell the story.

Come, hear the wisdom

of many generations;

when you leave this place,

her voice will go with you.

~ Elaine Root ~

The Storyteller - Leavenworth, Washington
Artist - Cordelia Bradburn
Bench - Jan Uchytil

TwoFer Tuesday - Roadside Art

Travel along Minnesota Highway 47 on the southeastern side of Mille Lacs Lake, it is hard to miss the giant fish at Johnson's Portside just outside of the town of Isle. It's a bait, tackle and liquor store all in one. You don't think those fisherman come up with those fish tales on their own, do ya? Nah, it requires a little liquid encouragement.

Massive Muskie

Mean Walleye

In keeping with the fishing theme, I'll add in the water tower painted as a bobber in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.

Roadside Art - Paul Bunyan

The state of Minnesota has some interesting roadside artwork as I have discovered during my travels around the area.

If you are traveling along Highway 34 between Park Rapids and Walker, Minnesota you will drive through the town of Akeley. It is hard to miss the 25 foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan kneeling next to the roadway. Paul needs a little TLC, like a fresh coat of paint in places.

Paul Bunyan - Akeley, Minnesota

Booming!

A booming we will go, a booming we will go, hi ho the derry-o, a booming we will go.

That just might be the theme song for prairie chickens each Spring as the males perform their mating ritual called booming. The male stomps his feet and lets out a booming sound from air sacs on each side of his neck.

Prairie chickens, while once plentiful on the open prairies, have dropped in significant numbers due to over-hunting and loss of habitat. The town of Rothsay, Minnesota bills itself as the Prairie Chicken Capital of the World and boasts it is the home of the largest prairie chicken in the world. If this statue is any indication, I can only imagine how beautiful these birds are in real life.

Booming Prairie Chicken - Rothsay, Minnesota

Gone Loon-ey

In Vergas, Minnesota, you can find the world's largest loon standing approximately 20 feet tall. The loon is the state bird and each year, Vergas hosts the Looney Daze festival.

World's Largest Loon - Vergas, Minnesota