Big Frog Sculpture

Found this giant, whimsical frog in Harpersville, Alabama. It's in front of a shop that sells pots and things from Mexico.

I had read online that Mr. Frog, also, came from Mexico. I'm very glad that he made the trip to the US, otherwise, I never would have seen him!

Waving Girl Statue, Savannah, Georgia

Here's a pretty postcard of  Florence Martus, "The Waving Girl". (1868-1943)

For 44 years, she would wave a handkerchief by day, and a lantern by night at every single ship that entered or departed Port of Savannah, Georgia.

I took some photos of the statue during a recent trip to Savannah, Georgia. It was pretty cool to see it in person. :)

The statue is 20 feet (6m) in height and was sculpted by the same man who sculpted the famous Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima flag raising), Felix De Weldon.

Happy Hump Day!

I'm shaking up Hump Day a bit. :)

I don't have a camel photo of my own to use, but I DO have this recently-taken-with-my-own-camera-in-Fargo-North-Dakota super spiffy colorful bison sculpture photo!

He's got a humpy thing on his back, so I'm calling it good!

Happy Hump Day, everyone!

Will B. Rolling Statue

Here's a very recent, very fun find. It's in Port Byron, Illinois, and is named "Will B. Rolling".  "Will" and his Penny-farthing (old-fashioned bicycle) top out at 30 feet (9.14m).

Port Byron is a small town in northern Illinois alongside the mighty Mississippi River.

Fun fact: Port Byron competes with Le Claire, Iowa, each year in a "tug fest". A 2700' (823m) rope is stretched across the Mississippi River for a series of tug-of-war competitions.  Tug Fest is the only event in the U.S. that allows the Mississippi River to be shut down.

It dawned on me that I had this postcard in my collection. Soooo, you get a BONUS fun fact: "Will B. Rolling" is a replica of "Big Ben Bikin'" which is billed as the world's largest bicycle, and is located in Sparta, Wisconsin.

Abraham Lincoln On A Horse Sculpture

Who loves a good statue?!
Anyone?
::::crickets chirping:::
Ok, well *I* do!

 I just happened to come across this fine looking statue in Petersburg, Illinois right by New Salem State Park.

It's a depiction of a young Abraham Lincoln reading a book... AND.... he just happened to be riding a horse at the same time!

It's like two statues for the price of one! :D

Giant Justins

Another great, fun find in San Antonio, Texas! This cowboy boot sculpture is 40 feet in height (12 meters), and is a replica of ostrich skin Justin boots.

It was created by (would you believe it?!) Junk Yard Dog artist, Bob "Daddy-O" Wade in 1979.

It's located at North Star Mall, and is billed as "world's largest pair of cowboy boots".  Nothing says Texas better than a big ol' pair of cowboy boots, right??

Vermont Fire Hydrant Sculpture

Just when I thought nothing could top the skier/artist roadside dummy or the giant dog, along comes another strange Vermont sighting.....

 ....A roadside fire hydrant sculpture!

Big Pink Suit

I know what you're thinking..."that must be a mannequin in front of a Men's Wearhouse store", right? But it's NOT! Thank goodness. (I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard their "You're gonna like the way you look. I guarantee it" commercial.)

It is actually a creation of Austrian artist Erwin Wurm. A 9-foot (2.75m) tall aluminum statue depicting a pink suit and white shirt. (Size 144).

It is located in Citygarden in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, which is an urban park and sculpture garden. Of all the many art objects there, I have to say that the "Big Suit" (it's official name) is, by far, my favorite!

Rusty Mechanism, a Giant Among Men

I found this big guy at an old-factory-turned-dining-retail-entertainment-complex called The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee, which is actually listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

So, anyway, his name is Rusty Mechanism. He is 20 ft. in height, and weighs in at a hefty 4600 pounds. (6.096m/2087kg)
And he stands as a tribute to American industry and all working people.

The closer you get, the more clever detail you spot.

Each hand took a minimum of 30 days to construct.








 

Giant-sized lunch box.

Six long years in the making.

Fun facts about Rusty.
I love this stuff!

Outgoing Chicago "Bean" Postcard US-1833605

US-1833605
I really don't remember the reason behind choosing this particular card for Sascha in Germany.  There must have been some Freudian thing going on in my head, because I really, really want to go see that bean thing (aka Cloud Gate)!

Bagdad, Arizona USA

My destination on a recent trip out west was to a copper mine in Bagdad, Arizona. Bagdad is located in an extremely remote area, and is know as a company town, meaning most everything in town is owned and operated by the company that owns the copper mine.

 This copper rod sculpture greets visitors as they enter the town.

The figures are 10-1/2 ft (3.20m) and 8-1/2 ft (2.59m) in height. It is dedicated to the men and women mine workers of Bagdad.

I marvel at, and greatly admire, such creative and artistic talent.

I really enjoyed seeing this unique sculpture on a beautiful, sunny day in Arizona!

John Muir Wood Sculpture

Yesterday, I tracked down this big fella in Visalia, California. It's a wood sculpture of John Muir. It looks to be about 10 feet/ 3 meters in height. Very impressive!

John Muir was a naturalist, author and early advocate for preservation of wilderness in the United States. He's also the founder of Sierra Club, and considered to be the "Father of National Parks". And he's got a boatload of stuff named after him.

The sculptor is R. L. Blair. On his web site, he says that he's been carving for the past 35 years, and is self-taught. Extremely talented guy!

KerPlunk Park Sculpture, Ft. Myers, Florida

I don't know what it's called, but I named it the KerPlunk Sculpture. Anyone not old enough to remember the KerPlunk game really missed out on a  fun kid's game involving sharp pointy sticks, marbles, a hollow tube and gravity.

 <------- Actual KerPlunk game.

Time Capsule, Oelrichs, South Dakota USA

 Came across this time capsule in Oelrichs, South Dakota. I don't know what other time capsules look like, but this one is pretty cool.

I won't be around when they open it. That's kind of depressing to think about. So, instead, I will think about the MLB playoffs that start tomorrow!
Go Cardinals!!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

P.S  Here's a brief history of Oelrichs, for those not interested in baseball.

The Awakening in Chesterfield, MO USA

A 70' sculpture by Seward Johnson.