The Enchanted Highway

We headed out from the not so great campground in Bismarck this morning and leisurely made our way to the Red Trail Campground in Medora, ND. 

This time we were prepared to get a picture of Salem Sue, the World’s Largest Holstein Cow, in New Salem.  You sure could see Suzie from a long distance.  I simply took the exit ramp up and over the highway and returned to I-94.  I had a plan to enjoy some other roadside attractions more intimately. 

With our early departure, and a time zone change, we made it to Medora just before noon.  We set up, and headed back east on I-94 to take a drive down ‘The Enchanted Highway’.  What a gem of an excursion this decision turned out to be for me.

Our first stop was at the Geese in Flight sculpture that is readily available for anyone traveling along the interstate.  Would you guess that the stone formations in front of the sculpture are really just painted panels?

The road up to the sculpture is lined with poles with metal geese along each side reinforcing the theme.  I had originally planned to park the motorhome at this first place, unhook the toad, and drive it down the 32 miles to Regent, ND.  I’m glad I changed my mind, drove ahead to the campground, and returned by car.  Some of the pull off areas would have been a real challenge to drive a rig into and out of.

Kurt and I voted this one as having the best view of the area.  It’s up on a hill, and the views of the surrounding farms is stunning.

Next up was the Deer Crossing sculpture.  There are presently eight huge sculptures along the 32 mile road to Regent. 

A few more miles down the road was Grasshoppers in the Field.  This stop had metal wheat heads as the border around it.  There was a man mowing the lawn around the exhibit.  I pulled over, got out, and asked him if he was the sculptor.  When I was younger, I wouldn’t of had the guts to do that, but now I do.

As it turned out, it was Gary Greff that had this idea 24 years ago to create something that would attract people to his home town of Regent.  What an interesting chat we had with him!  Besides the huge ‘World’s Largest Metal Sculptures’, there is also a picnic area at each stop.  He leases the land around each site, and hopes to put up at least three more, if the local farmers will see ‘the light’, and lease him some more land.

After our chat, we continued on to view the Fisherman’s Dream sculpture.  Kurt and I voted this one the best of the bunch.  It is the most elaborate one.

Here we are posing with the rainbow trout to give an idea of how large these sculptures really are.  I got a kick out of the fact that lots of pigeons were living inside each of these creations.  Gary has had lots of help from local farmers who are good at welding.We continued on to the Pheasants on the Prairie exhibit.  Just before we arrived here, a large family of pheasants was along the side of the road.

Then there was the Teddy Rides Again iron sculpture.  We really liked this one as well.  It’s a shame that Gary doesn’t have greater support, as some of the areas are really in need of help and maintenance.

                   Just two miles before Regent, was the Tin Family.  I got a kick out of the Mom’s hair.

Last, and really the least, was the Whirligig that was in the town of Regent.  It was kind of a let down after the other huge displays.

We had some fun with the Tin Family thing in town, and I had a bowl of ice cream from the Enchanted Highway gift shop to help support their efforts.

It was a great day, with the highlight of meeting and getting to talk to the man that dreamed up this idea to attract people to his dying town.  He said about 8000 people a year travel the highway, and it has helped his town stay alive.  This was truly a grand ‘Roadside America’ experience.

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Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy