It was 21 degrees and windy when I stepped onto the trail at Aullwood Audubon Saturday. It was a rare sunny day for Ohio and too beautiful to spend inside. So I went to visit Thomas Dambo’s trolls or forest giants as they are sometimes called. You can read about them here.
It was surprising to find the place mostly empty but I didn’t complain one bit. It was refreshing to feel the wind in my hair and to breath fresh, cool air.
It’s about a three mile loop to see the trolls. I also paused for a while in the barn, visiting the farm animals and the barn cats who keep things in order.
The highlight of the day though was seeing a mink in the wild. Something that resembled a black squirrel scurried across the trail ahead of me. I stopped to get a better look and was surprised when it turned to face me and I realized it was a mink.
Sadly, I stood there holding a cell phone in one hand and a camera in the other, gaping like a fool. I missed the photo op. Sigh. In case you aren’t familiar with the mink, here’s a photo from WHIO TV.
What a cute little face!
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says that mink are commonly found in every Ohio county. Yet, they aren’t commonly seen because they are quick and they are good at hiding.
Yesterday brought a break in the No Spend Challenge for a little Adventure Day. I intended to stay home and use the time to do a couple of projects, get some rest and read. But the forecast for sunshine and 41 degrees was simply too tempting to ignore.
Instead, I set off early and headed to Dayton to hike at Aullwood Audubon where I visited the trolls or the forest giants, depending on what you call them. It was 21 degrees and the weather app said it felt like fifteen but I was so happy to be in nature I did not care.
Then I hit up the Waco Air Museum in Troy.
And, I needed lunch so I found a fantastic little diner nearby. It was cramped and busy so my pictures are all awful but the food was delish and I really liked it there. I will tell you all about it soon.
And I mostly window shopped at Antiques Village but did score a couple of good deals. This is one of my favorite antique malls so I couldn’t leave town without a stroll through.
It’s funny because I was so happy at home and focusing on my January No Spend Challenge that I never felt deprived. However, this day that was heavy on experiences and light on spending was just what I needed. I felt more like myself than I have in a long time.
It was a long day but I would have stayed out longer. We are probably lucky that I didn’t continue West when I found myself on the National Road. Don’t think I didn’t contemplate running away from home to the great state of Indiana!
Along the way, I chatted with people, looked at some interesting things and even saw a mink in the wild. So check back to hear more and to see more pictures!
Once upon a time, in a magical land called Dayton, there lived three forest giants. Bibbi, Bodil and Bo were made of reclaimed wood by a man with the soul of a poet and the profession of an artist.
On Friday, an adventurer named Brandi, from a land not far away, went on a quest to find them all.
You’ll find these three giants at Aullwood Audubon north of Dayton. The truth is Aullwood is a spectacular place to visit even without the artwork. Woods, prairies, streams and meadows provide amazing habitat for all sorts of creatures. Trails meander here and there, exploring nooks and crannies, reaching into places that resemble a storybook picture.
The artist behind the forest giants is the world’s leading recycle artist. Thomas Dambo is a native of Denmark who uses locally sourced materials to create his sculptures. You can read more about him here.
If this story sounds familiar, that’s because I told you last year about visiting another location that is correct to hosting Dambo pieces. You can read about that here.
It’s a beautiful walk to reach all three sculptures and it’s not strenuous. I believe it’s about a three mile loop unless you’re like me and wander off a good bit. I regretted not packing a lunch and having a picnic somewhere. I’ll do that next time.
If you go, take note there’s also a nature center and an educational farm where you can meet some animals and explore.
This weekend found me stretching the limits of what I consider a day trip. Two days in a row I took longer trips including Saturday to Bernheim Forest near Louisville, Kentucky.
Why would I drive four hours one way to an arboretum when there are perfectly good arboretums much closer?
I’m so glad you asked.
The purpose of the trip was to visit a trio of famous forest giants. Meet Mama Loumari with her children Little Nis and Little Elina. A third baby giant is currently living in Mama’s belly.
Mama is the largest and has the most picturesque setting of them all. Then there’s Little Elina. And Little Nis, the smallest but perhaps my favorite because of the surreal quality of the reflection in the water.
They are the creation of Danish artist Thomas Dambo and have been on loan since 2019. They are located throughout the forest and are constructed of recycled wood from the region.
Dambo is a world renowned recycle artist based in Copenhagen. He has placed these trolls or forest giants all over the world including here in the US. If you are in Florida, Maine, Tennessee or Illinois there are trolls nearby!
And now I want to see them all.
They are incredibly realistic with expressions on their faces that seem almost human. The smooth, weathered wood is used in such a way that these sculptures have texture and dimension. They seem alive.
It’s easy to imagine they wake up at night, roaming the forest at will until sunrise and droves of visitors send them back to their stations along a woodland trail.
I was there late morning on Saturday. My next trip will be timed better both for avoiding the crowds and for better sun positioning for my pictures.
These guys are well worth a visit. Not to mention, Bernheim has been around for ninety years. With public art displays, a children’s garden, fire tower, education center, canopy tree walk and a cafe, it would be easy to spend an entire day here. There are forty miles of trails and plenty of places to stop and rest, read a book or just soak in your surroundings.
The loop to see the giants is about two miles. There also is limited parking near each giant if someone in your party has mobility issues.
Get this. Suggested admission is just $10 per car. That’s all you will pay to get in and wander around as long as you wish. I considered lunch at the cafe but the line was long and I was burning daylight with other places to visit so I skipped that. They have light sandwiches and salads including a vegan option if that’s your thing. It looked like I could have eaten for around $10 but I suspect you could pack a picnic if you wish.
There is a lot to do in the Louisville area and you’re not far from Lexington where there’s even more to see and do. I actually really enjoy Lexington and would like to go back one of these days. My advice is to stretch this visit into a long weekend and take your time exploring Bernheim and the region.
