Enchanted Highway

July 2023 - Gladstone to Regent, ND #35-2023

DISCOVERIESFIGURES

7/25/2023

The Enchanted Highway was calling my name. I could hear it say, come see me and all the quirky, folk art sculptures I have to share. We had headed south from the campground, and after spending most of the day at the other two places we had planned on seeing, whose stories we will tell in upcoming posts, we ventured further east in search of this enchanted highway. It was the recommendation of Shari that convinced us to check it out.

We did not have to search too hard, since there are several signs along the interstate inviting you to exit the high speed world and enjoy an artwork studded journey on a side road. Upon approaching the exit, we saw the first sculpture, Geese in Flight, soaring above the Interstate, looking very much like a flock flying over the prairie with a sunburst as a background. It is massive, as are all the sculptures, but this one is the tallest at 150 feet high. Seeing smaller geese atop the posts along the entrance leading us to this piece of art was a great beginning.

We followed the road all the way to the Enchanted Castle in Regent, where we found a rather stiff looking knight managing to fight off the dragon with his mighty sword. I can only wonder if he will be successful in his quest. Along the way to Regent, we saw several curious sights, each one building anticipation for the next. Its hard to pick a favorite from all the whimsical creations, but oddly enough, I think my favorite was the Grasshoppers in the Field. While not generally a fan of grasshoppers, especially ones that are nightmare-sized, the detail on the insects together with the stalks of wheat standing tall caught my imagination. I had read that Mr. Greff straightened many of those stalks as they were bent from the wind, but gave up as it happened so frequently.

The Tin Family are the happy giants on the prairie, from Pa in his bibs and farmers cap, holding a pitchfork, to Ma, ready for town with her wiry curled hair and wearing her Sunday best. Even Junior with his lollipop is all smiles.

A sight I saw many times growing up is featured in Deer Crossing, which is a pair of deer shown in silhouette, with the buck jumping over a fence. The deer share their site with The Maze of Enchantment. The panels that make up the maze have wonderfully detailed cutouts in many different patterns, and while it might not be difficult to get through the maze if you are an adult, child-sized people should find it a little more of a challenge.

There is a multitude of colorful aquatic life on display at Fisherman’s Dream. The fisherman in his small boat is dwarfed by the enormous fish on his line and those swimming around below.

Another favorite is the Pheasants on the Prairie, which gives us a massive and colorful male keeping watch over his mate and their three young.

The larger than life Theodore Roosevelt is synonymous with this area of North Dakota, and with Teddy Rides Again we see him atop his rearing horse as he would have been in his Rough Rider days as a rancher.

Once in the town of Regent, the Whirly Gigs appear on your left, in an open area next to the gift shop. If you hold the button, the scene animates, and you can see Mother rolling out the dough, Father reclining in his easy chair, and kids, either jumping on the bed like monkeys, or getting dunked in the bathtub.

We enjoyed them all when we drove this road in late afternoon, but as Tom noted, and I agreed, it would be even better during sunrise or sunset.

The creator of the Enchanted Highway is Gary Greff: an artist who wanted to reinvigorate his hometown of Regent, North Dakota. His vision led him to work with the local farmers and ranchers to create metal sculptures by using their skills at welding. These works of folk art are proudly displayed along what has come to be known as the Enchanted Highway, starting at the Interstate 94 exit near Gladstone, and finishing in Regent. The first piece of art they created was the Tin Family in 1989. Over time they have steadily added to the collection to where there are now ten works of art spread along the 32 miles between towns. Each one taking inspiration from familiar scenes on the prairie. Even at age 74, Mr. Greff continues to create more sculptures, with his goal being to create at least three more, and compete the finishing touches on the dragon.. To showcase the sculptures and provide room for parking off the roadway, small plots of land were carved out of the fields of corn, wheat, and canola, which are found in abundance in the Dakotas.

Enjoy the photos below, and let us know on Facebook which one is your favorite.