At some point this past year, I was driving around on back country roads here in western Washington. And somehow I got on one of the roads that leads up to Mount Rainier. I’d been on that same road a few times when I was riding along as a small child in the back seat of my parents’ car (next to my brother who was over on his side of back seat) … and I’ve driven this same road as an adult in my own car a few times.
But this time I guess I was paying attention and … holy cow, what’s that on my right?! I swear I’d never seen this place before, but numerous online websites say it’s been there for many years. I slammed on the brakes and pulled in!
Ok, maybe my entrance wasn’t quite that dramatic. 🙂
It sure felt like I’d come upon a magical place.
Look closely at the musical instruments above. The guitar on the left uses a metal seat from a farm tractor for the large end of the guitar. The bass violin (cello?) on the right uses what looks to me like some small pipes from a pipe organ.
There’s so much cool stuff here, way more than I’m showing you. The displays of welding art cover several acres of open and wooded land. The public is welcome … at no cost. Drive in and park and just walk around and enjoy the welded metal “art”.
The bicycle below was at least 10 feet tall! Look at the seat … anyone sitting in that seat would not be able to reach those handlebars or the pedals. How goofy is that? And what fun. 🙂
The motorbike below was about regular life-size. I liked how the man who is making these used real engine pistons (four of them) to represent the engine.
And the rocking horse below, with what looks like a farm tractor seat on the saddle, and lots of horse shoes used to create the hind quarters.
The bird below was seven or eight feet tall. With horseshoes for the body.
This welder uses anything and everything to make his statues, his art.
Love the car … low roof line!
Below, another tall bird.
Look at those tail feathers, ha!! 🙂
Fish on! This aquatic creature below was huge, at least 14 feet long, and perfectly balanced on that one pedestal. The body of the fish was made mostly of horseshoes. Since this welder uses so many horseshoes in his pieces, there must be an almost unlimited supply of used horseshoes hereabouts. I bet everyone who owns a horse and everyone who is a farrier around here knows to deliver their used horseshoes to this welder.
I love the horse head below … with a Ford rear brake assembly shoe (without the asbestos brake liner) used for the large curved jaw. And all manner of other bits and pieces of metal from other stuff too.
Another bird below … how cool!
Below … I think this was the largest sculpture in the park. I could walk under the body, almost without ducking, and I’m 5’8″. So this gorgeous, gigantic giraffe was likely 15 feet tall or more.
An eagle. The feathers were spectacular … so light-weight and delicate.
This horse (below) had a real leather saddle on her. I enjoyed the use of engine piston connecting rods for the horse’s legs. Seemed appropriate somehow … since those engine connecting rods deliver the power of an engine, and here they deliver the power of this horse to race away any minute!
Another horse. The feet, the hooves … what are they made from?
Below, a very rambunctious filly and her mom.
Whoa, dudes! Don’t miss the bleached skull on the front fork.
“Recycled Spirits of Iron” … what an appropriate name. Classic.
But … is this “art”? I believe so. It certainly uses imagination and creative skill, and doesn’t art require those?
To visit Dan Klennert’s sculpture park, drive to Elbe (WA), west-southwest of Mount Rainier, then take state route 706 towards Mount Rainier National Park. It’s about 2.7 miles outside of Elbe on route 706 … the sculpture park will be on your right. It’s worth the drive. I’ll be back for another visit. See you there! 🙂