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...