Dec 17 2009
North Dakota’s Enchanted Highway
If you remember my photos from the Land of Evermor a few weeks ago, you’ve seen what can be done by recycling metal and making it into art.
The Land of Evermor, however, is downright tiny compared to another series of metal sculptures. The Enchanted Highway runs from Regent to Gladstone, North Dakota. A 30-mile drive from I-94 south to Regent will allow you to see all of the sculptures, one every few miles. They’re big. They’re beautiful. And they’ve served their creator’s purpose, of getting people off the Interstate and traveling through the small towns.
The Enchanted Highway is known far and wide. One of my friends was a presenter at a conference in Florida, and asked if anyone knew anything about North Dakota. The Enchanted Highway was one of the first things mentioned.
All it takes to enjoy the Enchanted Highway is a car and an extra hour or so to drive the entire road. If you want to stop and take pictures, or have a picnic at one of the roadside parks located at each sculpture, it will take a little longer. At the end of the road, you can stop for a cup of coffee or ice cream cone at one of the shops in Regent. (Proceeds from the Enchanted Highway Gift Shop and donations are the sole source of funding for future works.)
The Enchanted Highway sculptures encompass various themes, styles, and colors. Which one is your favorite?
Deer Crossing:
Teddy Rides Again:
Pheasants on the Prairie:
World’s Largest Tin Family:
Fisherman’s Dream:
Grasshopper’s Delight:
Geese in Flight:
To see more travel photos, visit Photo Fridays at DeliciousBaby.
How fun! Yet another place to add to my travel wishlist…it keeps getting longer.
.-= Sarah V.´s last blog ..Weird Ducks in Boerne, Texas =-.
I’m trying to pick my favorite but it’s so hard, because they are too cool. But now that I look again, it’s the pheasants, they’re funny, so they’re my favorite.
.-= Carolina´s last blog ..Photo Friday: Snowball Fight =-.
Well worth the detour! Especially for me, since I was able to see them on my laptop…from my bed…
.-= jamie´s last blog ..Tea Tasting in Chinatown =-.
Ah, yes, Sarah, my travel list keeps growing as well. So many interesting things to see!
My kids loved Fisherman’s Dream, and I think Teddy Rides Again was my favorite. Each one’s so different.
I believe the new one he’s working on is a spiderweb.
Jamie, sometimes it’s just as good to tour from home!
i love these! (and seeing green, while it is white outside!)…what fun. we’ll have to head there sometime. thank you!
.-= jessiev´s last blog ..Take the Walkin’ Broadway Audio Tour with CityListen =-.
I really like the picture of the deer crossing, it is a very nice place…
.-= ATravelAroundTheWorld´s last blog ..Snapshot of the week: Hinchinbrook Iisland =-.
How cool! I particularly love the Geese in Flight. I’ve never been to North Dakota, but if I go, I’ll travel by enchanted highway. Thanks for sharing!
.-= TheWordWire´s last blog ..Photo Friday: Home of the Tree That Owns Itself =-.
Love the Deer Crossing! They look just like the deer in our neighborhood, maybe just a tad bigger!
.-= Sandra Foyt´s last blog ..Moving On Up at the Oxfam Hunger Banquet =-.
I need to keep this one in mind for late spring…we’re pretty serious about going back out to the Dakotas this year
There sure are a lot of BIG things out there in North Dakota, aren’t there
.-= Dominique´s last blog ..Photo Friday: Chicago’s Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows =-.
Dominique,
Late spring would be perfect. We were there in late May/early June–opening night for the Medora Musical; things were open but not busy. It was so lush and green then as well.
Happy travels!
Linda
I liked the pheasants and the geese. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Nancy D. Brown´s last blog ..Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer – Travel Gear Review =-.
I’m embarrassed to admit this – but I grew up in North Dakota and didn’t know this existed! I think this is a must do for our family on our next trip *home* ~
awesome!
.-= darcie´s last blog ..I give up… =-.
Darcie, don’t feel bad, it wasn’t there when I grew up. I hadn’t heard of it until my parents drove it on their way to Medora a few years ago. Definitely add it to your list, though!
Linda
Those are great, I like the cowboy one. Not what you’d expect along a road in N.D. Hope it helps local businesses get customers too.
.-= Jack – eyeflare travel´s last blog ..Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach =-.
i like Pheasants on the Prairie and Grasshopper’s Delight. picture looks live picture. child will enjoy very much to travel like this place
The Enchanted Highway was awesome~!!!
I love that deer jumping
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