When one goes to the carnival, they envision spending a few hours, or perhaps a day, enjoying the wondrous rides, food, and other attractions. The Word of the Day fit right in with a book I recently borrowed from the local library, Midwest Marvels: roadside attractions across Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin
Thinking about it while browsing the book, it struck me that taking a road trip to see the multiple roadside attractions is a lot like going to a carnival, one ride at a time. There are literally hundreds of very interesting-looking things to see across the 5 states this volume covers. Browsing from end to end, the following were standouts for me:
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden This is a glass fish created by Frank Gehry. The fish alone is enough to visit, but the garden is full of sculpture.
Connected to the above by artist, Frank Gehry, is Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis. The building is connected to the Guggenheim in Spain. The first thing I thought when seeing it was Howl’s Moving Castle.
For more information about Frank Gehry, architectual genius and aesthetic magician, go here: wiki info on Artist
Also in Minneapolis, the Kitty Cat Club. Part bar, part museum, the idea of sipping my Stoli and cranberry juice in such a place fills me with delight.
This place looks so alluring to me. I’ve always been interested in rocks and rock formations. In the book, it talks about the passion Paul Broste had for rocks and what led him to build his museum. I want to go there, to feel the passion he felt and draw in the energy of the rocks.Paul Broste Rock Museum in Parshall, ND
There are two things I want to experience at Hot Springs, SD. As you can guess by the name of the town (which was changed from a Native American name for it at some point), the hot springs! Evans Plunge, touted as, “the world’s largest natural warm water indoor swimming pool”
As the opposite of the hot springs, there are the cold bones of The Mammoth Site
Then, in Lemmon, SD, is a place that is must-see for lovers of petrified wood and also wood burls. Again, the creator of the place had a passion for petrified wood and followed his passion to build Petrified Wood Park
Here’s a short video of the place: video
Last, but certainly not least, is another place where a man followed his dream. Some dream he had! The literature said that Frank Lloyd Wright dissed his house plans and he decided to do it up right anyway. Don’t let the b*st*rds get you down. May I present to you, in all of its glory, House on the Rock in Spring Green, WI
14 minute video showing some highlights
Whether your carnival fills a day or over a period of weeks, enjoy.
Word of the Day Challenge — Carnival
Tao Talk 
