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Aaron Reed was on road trip
in August to the Pacific Northwest and describes
his encounter with this big giraffe:
"…Funny story, that.
We'd gotten a bit off-track in the Gilford
Pinchot National Forest (and like many wrong
turns, that one led us to some marvelous vistas);
consequently, we were running a couple of
hours behind-schedule. After crossing the
Cowlitz River at Elbe, Wash., I took a right,
following the signs to the Nisqually Lodge
in Ashford (just outside the eastern entrance
to Mt. Rainier National Park).
Between Elbe and Ashford, my headlights caught
the giraffe-shape craning its neck over a
fence. I didn't know if I was hallucinating
or if someone really had a giraffe in a pasture
there. I actually turned around to look at
it again. The next morning (after overnighting
in an honest-to-God caboose back in Elbe --
the lodge was full), we drove that stretch
again and stopped to take a picture. I wish
we'd taken the time to tour the entire sculpture
park…"
The artist behind this 17-foot
tall creation is Dan Klennert. Many of his sculptures
are on display in a four-acre park he calls
Ex-Nihilo - Latin for "Out of nothing."
It's an appropriate name, because Klennert creates
his sculptures out of discarded junk. You can
read more about his work and see some excellent
photos online at "Dan Klennert – Amazing Iron Sculptor."
The "Recycled: Spirits of Iron" sculpture park is open all year, and Klennert's gallery is
gallery is open to the public May to October,
10 am to 7 pm. Admission is free, donations
are accepted.
Location:
Ex-Nihilo Sculpture Park (pronounced "Ex
Nee-Hill-o")
About three miles east of Elbe, on WA State
Route 706
Near the west entrance to Mount Rainier National
Park
Elbe, WA 98330
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