Aishling the Airstream Update No. 84

 

Lazy Fish at Pelican Point

Jamestown, North Dakota

 

We took the long way there - and had a blast doing it!

 

Our little caravans leaders enjoy the journey! 

And we drove through beautiful countryside! 

[The joys -- and fun -- of having someone else take your photo -]

First stop: Big Ole THE WORLD'S LARGEST VIKING -is a 28-foot-tall, 4-ton fiberglass Viking statue located in Alexandria, Minnesota. Key Details: Height and Weight: Stands 28 feet tall and weighs approximately 8,000 pounds (4 tons).

  

History: Built in 1965 by artist Gordon Schumaker for the Minnesota display at the New York World’s Fair before finding a permanent home in Alexandria. The Shield: Features an inscription proclaiming Alexandria as the "Birthplace of America," a nod to local lore surrounding the disputed Kensington Runestone.

  

Location: Situated at the south shore of Lake Agnes, near the Runestone Museum... 

Next was THE WORLD'S LARGEST COOT - oh my -it's a 10-foot-tall concrete roadside statue located at the trap range in Ashby, MN, Location: Ashby Trap Range in Ashby, Minnesota.Size: Stands 10 feet tall.

    

History: Built in 1991 by artist Steve Morgan for the local Ashby Coot Feed. Material: Made of concrete, which made its wings heavy and required extra structural bracing... 

 

Next we stopped to see Otto the Otter - 

in Fergus Falls, MN  

The world's largest otter started his life as a high school shop project.

In the county seat of Otter Tail County, for more than 50 years, Otto has stood sentry over Grotto Lake, as the beloved mascot of the city.

 

 Like most great works of art, Otto began his life as a high school shop project, the brainchild of shop teacher Tom Willett, who wanted to create something special for Fergus Falls’s centennial in 1972. Unfortunately, the first version of Otto was…an otter disaster. Steve Jaenisch, a metal artist who went on to create a number of sculptures around town, finished the job and made sure Otto would last for generations to come.

  

Today, the 40-foot-long otter sculpture stands proudly in Adams Park, overlooking the lake. The quaint city park also includes a ballfield, a playground, and picnic tables, including one that is often placed tantalizingly close to Otto. 

SO MANY PRECIOUS LITTLE TOWNS...

 

 We took a break at the sweetest little cafe - The Purple Goose Cafe & Eatery 

 

It was so odd to me that when I asked for a sweet potato or sweet potato fries...

it came with marshmallow creme.

 Alas -

Back on the road... 

 

Driving through cornfields... and sunflower fields...

And we soon saw  The World's Largest Prairie Chicken ,

[That's the best photo I got - lol -]

 a giant roadside statue located in Rothsay, Minnesota. Height: 13 feet tall Length: 18 feet long Weight: 9,000 pounds Creator: Built by resident Art Fosse Year Built: 1976 for the U.S. Bicentennial  

 The "Booming" pose: The statue shows a male greater prairie chicken doing its spring mating dance. It puffs out bright orange air sacs on its neck. 

Next up - The World's Largest Buffalo - in Jamestown, ND  

Located at the end of Louis L'Amour Lane, the World's Largest Buffalo Monument stands tall on the hill [up a dirt road] in Jamestown, ND. 

 

[There is another route...]

This 26-foot-tall, 60-ton concrete giant has been standing watch over Jamestown since 1959. Created by sculptor Elmer Petersen, he has proven one of the Midwest's most popular roadside attractions for over 50 years. 

 

In 2010, the World's Largest Buffalo received his name; Dakota Thunder. The North American Bison Discovery Center and live herd of Buffalo and the Frontier Village are also on site.

It was pretty cool.

But I think we were all 'beat' and ready to settle in for the night... When we got Lazy Fish at Pelican Point - the sites were not marked well... in fact. ours seemed to be just a pull off / back in on the grass right on the water. [I was concerned it was a tent site...]

 

It took a bit, but we got level and set up and invited everyone to bring their dinner to the [playground] pavilion right next to our site. SO FUN to have Mike and Patty [from our local club] join us - Seriously - meeting people we know [and even airstreamers we don't know] along the way was one of the most fun things as we traveled to and from North Dakota... 

 

The landscape / view from our site was awesome...

 And it was nice to just relax after our busy day. 

 

And look!

I'm in SWEATSHIRT. 

In AUGUST. 

 

G'Night y'all - 

We've got a busy week ahead...

 

So, Lazy Fish at Pelican Point:

Beautiful view... sites are difficult...

Good cell / internet.

We didn't go to the Bath House but it was reported to be nasty.

We might choose a different place if we're out this way again.

#HardwickAdventures 

PS --> It was 50 degrees the morning we left.

Yes. PLEASE.

Aishling the Airstream Update No. 83

 Minnesota Airstream Park - 

in an undisclosed location...

near St. Cloud Minnesota

 

I'm joking. I'm joking - any [ALL] airstream[s] are welcome! 

And it's BEAUTIFUL y'all. 

Nice and flat and landscaped with the 

most perfect summer weather you could dream of.... 

 

We dropped our camper... enjoyed some of the MAP hospitality and then headed to the airport the next morning... 

where we took the time to catch up on our 'real' job{s} 

[ -ha - our volunteer airstream job{s}] 

 

We flew home for a quick visit to check on Craig's mother 

during the middle of our travels...

 

And since we fly in/out of Nashville

We grabbed a quick meal at a favorite place.

[See what I did there?] 

 

We had an EARLY flight back to Minneapolis, so we took the time to drive into St. Paul and have lunch at a place we remembered from our time there over 20 years ago... It's nice to see the area has blossomed and is vibrant! 

[And the food is still delicious!] 

We had to stop by and see a couple of the Peanut's characters too! 

Always fun! 

 

Back to The Minnesota Airstream Park --> 

where camping friends were starting to gather for a little pre-rally of sorts.

It was fun to see so many people we know from CanOpener...

AND to have the time to just sit and visit together. 

Lindsay and Randy 

And ALL the residents of MAP were so welcoming to us!! 

 

This is a great little community and we had lots of activities... 

breakfasts, game nights, 

 

a concert by the pool, with everyone staying at MAP that weekend... 

a trip to the 'famous' and wonderful meat market nearby...

 

A conga line 

[although I'm not sure I understood the 'dance' steps to this - lol]

 

... meals out together at a great local place...

[lots of ACI clubs represented here - all friends from CanOpener -]  

 

a trip to the drag races 

[for those who wanted to go - ]

 

... time to visit while watching the family 

of white squirrels that live in the park... 

 

We also took time to shop a little in St. Cloud...

happened upon a farmer's market - YUM 

[on a rainy morning.] 

One of the things I enjoy most about having our home-on-wheels is the ability to cook / store fresh foods we find along the way...

 

We also happened upon my favorite coffee shop - EVAH.

So of course, we had a little break there one afternoon. 

 

And it was also nice to have day or two to 

catch up up some things 'around the house.'

  

But before we knew it was time to head out towards 

North Dakota and the [big] International Rally. 

We loved meeting up with friends and traveling together! 

And stopping along the way! 

[Our own little caravan -]

More on THIS exciting day in a bit....

2026 - Week - 41 Thursday Three

1. We sure enjoyed our week of urban camping for the Fiddler's Convention. And while it's a busy time, we also had time to relax and listen to outstanding musicians and visit with friends ...

2. This week we had a To-Do List waiting on us and we're knocking it out one step at a time.... we're looking forward to our next adventure.

3. Our [60 year old] lanatana is gigantic and beautiful this year. I love seeing it out the kitchen window.

#HardwickAdventures

Aishling the Airstream Update No. 82

 

 Northland Outfitters

[click above for link -]

Germfask, Michigan 

 

From their website: "We are Northland Outfitters Campground and Canoe/Kayak Livery

Nestled comfortably in a hug from the Manistique River, you will effortlessly feel at ease in your natural abode... With mature trees and water in every direction, our campground is something that only the hands of time and nature can create. 

Let us help you discover the Upper Peninsula by boat.  Whether you are just wanting to get your toes wet, or seeking to dive right in for an extended venture through the

Seney Wildlife Refuge, we are here to help gear you up for the perfect trip. 

Fun Fact: The name was derived from the surname initials of eight of the original settlers of 1881: John Grant, Matthew Edge, William Robinson, Thaddeus Mead, Dr. W. W. French, Ezekiel Ackley, Oscar (O.D.) Sheppard, and Hezekiah Knaggs.The community was a station on the Manistique Railway and was given a post office on February 26, 1890 -

 

Y'all know... I've wanted to see Bennie the Beardfisher FOR-EVAH.

He always seemed a little out-of-reach for me because he's so far away [965 miles to be exact.] So, when I realized we might be 'close' AND I saw this adorable campground WHERE HE LIVES, I knew we had to add it to our agenda! 

I mean - How Cute Is This?!?

 

And the area is just beautiful!!

LOOK AT THOSE FERNS! 

It didn't hurt that the weather was wonderful too! 

[More on Bennie and the birdhouses in a moment -]

 

We took the afternoon to drive up to [and around... and through..] 

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 

 

where we saw Lake Superior in all it's glory! 

We've now see all of The Great Lakes! So cool!

 

There were miles and miles of sandy beaches...

an occasional light house... and lots of sail boats - 

 

There were beautiful hiking trails and wild flowers everywhere... 

[And those huge ferns!] 

 

And trails and steps down to waterfalls

- 168 to be exact, down to this one...

 

I'll be honest - I made it down to the 2nd platform - lol -

Still a pretty view!

It was a beautiful drive ...

 

And kind of in the middle of nowhere [to us.]

So we were happy to get back to our little home-away-from-home with food for dinner and our own little bathroom. [TMI, but something you get used to when you're pulling your home behind you for miles and miles....]

 

Now: The Bird Houses - 

It's a Thomas Dambo* THING - he has a whole story [history] about them and I love that he uses his early random, happy art to mark the trails to his magnificent trolls! 

*He's the artist that designs and creates all these trolls we love -

all out of recycled materials! 

 

And as you can see, our spot was right around the bend from Bennie! 

It was perfect - and wonderful -

even with all the troll hunters walking by....

Bennie was privately commissioned for this campground 

and they charge $10/car to see him...

[No troll hunting after dark - which was about 9:40 when we were there...] 

 It was fun having the opportunity to see him at different times of day...

and they had cell phone tri-pods set up for easy selfies... 

Bennie is as massive as the other trolls we've seen...

but they are each so individually unique! 

He was as wonderful as I thought he would be!

 

The next day it was time to say goodbye... 

It was 52 degrees!

 

We had an early morning with a long day ahead of us as we headed to Minnesota... 

and then to Alabama and back before continuing our trek to the west....

We are IN LOVE with the upper peninsula of Michigan.

That is all. 

{And we'd DEFINITELY stay at Northland Outfitters again!!}