Lake Michigan Circle Tour: Benny the Beard Fisher - Dambo Troll

 The final post of this fabulous Lake Michigan Circle Tour adventure could've been added to the memorable cache post, the Roadside America post, or the Natural Wonders post, but I felt he needed a post of his own. 

Meet Benny the Beard Fisher!

Benny the Beard Fisher is the 2023 Michigan creation of Thomas Dambo, Danish artist and activist. 

Thomas Dambo is a Danish artist known for his incredible sculptures made from recycled materials. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, he has a unique talent for transforming what many consider “trash” into beautiful, large-scale artworks, often featuring whimsical trolls. One of his notable projects is the “Trail of a 1000 Trolls,” a series of troll sculptures hidden in forests and natural settings worldwide. [See Troll Map]

ShelleyJean shared this segment from CBS Sunday morning right before my Maine trip. Maine has several Dambo trolls, but alas! It was a work trip, so I missed them.

This troll, however, is located at Northland Outfitters outside of Germfask, Michigan (basically, smack in the middle of the UP!). Benny is 30 feet long and 14 feet tall, and he is seen reclining on the shores of the Manistique River.

I am simply fascinated on how Thomas was able to create such curves with leftover wood and pallets from a local Amish sawmill. 

Part of the Dambo installation involves birdhouses. 

Thomas Dambo’s birdhouses are more than just charming decorations; they carry a significant message about urban wildlife and recycling. He has created over 3,500 of these birdhouses from recycled scrap wood, often sourced from construction sites.

These birdhouses are displayed at the beginning of a meandering path in a small wooden area and over a pretty little wooden bridge and boardwalk.

I will have to bring TaGeez back to meet Benny. Hopefully, we will cross paths with some of his kin in Dayton and Detroit Lakes. The one I really want to see is Ole Polle in Portland, Oregon.

"Benny’s beard can reach across the pond and through the river

Long and strong the beard will wrap around you like a twister

Trolls can grow a beard both as a baby, miss, and mister

But any troll will envy that on Benny the Beard Fisher"

Benny loves to fish with his long beard in the Manistique River. He patiently waits on the shoreline to catch a fish or if he is lucky a kayaker passing by. [Source]

🌳

Who knows? Maybe one day Thomas Dambo will create a geocaching troll in the woods.  

While we wait, you can visit Benny the Beard Fisher Troll and complete the Multi-Cache GCAEZCE. Be warned that the final is 9 miles south of Benny. 

Lake Michigan Circle: Natural Wonders & Lighthouses

As much fun as we have with the oddities and rarities found on our Lake Michigan Circle Tour, there is no doubt that the natural views and majestic lighthouses on Lake Michigan are breathtaking. 

Lake Michigan is home to 44 remaining lighthouses, and, lucky for ShelleyJean and I, we weather was with us on most of our visits.

First stop in Wisconsin was this beauty in Racine. Here we scored a geocache, an adventure lab, beautiful views, and pretty rocks for our collection. 

Wind Point Lighthouse - Racine GC3Q58D

Typical for us, we spied the Adventure Lab stop at Wind Point, so then we had to complete the rest of the lab in Racine. This took us to the Christopher Columbus Causeway. Racine has a pretty little marina and multiple harbor lights.

Christopher Columbus Causeway GC4CRP9

The next to cross our paths is the North Point Lighthouse. It's in Milwaukee, but it's up on a hill. You can't spot it unless you were looking for it.

North Point Lighthouse - GC5VT5R

North Point Lighthouse - Northern Milwaukee

South Milwaukee has lighthouses and adventure labs, too. That sun was intense this day!

Milwaukee Harborlights 

I know I've already shared the Milwaukee Riverwalk, but you have to appreciate it's beauty, too. There were walking paths on each side of the river, local art, spots to stop and take photos, and historical markers. Something draws us to the water...

Milwaukee Riverwalk

Milwaukee Riverwalk

When we left Milwaukee, we headed north to Port Washington and the Lessons in Modern Cartography Webcam GCH51C. Lo! This little island in the marina were home to many native birds including these little fellahs munching away at the flowers. He looks like he's posing, doesn't he? 

The funny thing is I must've taken 50 pictures of this little ray of sunshine and his friends, but it was the first one that came out the best. 

American Goldfinch - Port Washington

When people ask, "What's in Door County?", the most crooked road always comes up!

Take Highway 42 between Gill's Rock and Northport to experience this unnatural wonder. This road curves 15 times in a one-mile stretch! Tradition has it this road was designed this way from a "desire to avoid cutting down too many trees." [AtlasObscura.com]

I cannot even imagine the traffic backup during the Fall change of colors. I bet there are so many photographing tourists you can't even see the twisty road!

Crooked Road - Door County GC7P78J

Further up the shore, outside of Oconto, is this neat new Virtual literally out in the middle of nowhere. Well, actually, it's the Bay of Green Bay. 

Ever curious, SJ drove out there in the middle of a storm. So cool and you can see just how deep and powerful the water is from here. 

End of the Road Virtual GCAJFZV

Next up along the shore is Michigan and the Sand Point Lighthouse. Sweet little spot with wildflowers and sandy beaches.  

Sand Point Lighthouse Virtual GC9P63N

If you show any Michigander a picture of this road, they will recognize the underappreciated yet scenic view of US-2. 

Stretching over 300 miles from St. Ignace to Ironwood, US-2 is one of the most popular thoroughfares in the U.P. The route cuts a path through more than a half dozen counties across the heart of the U.P., past waterfalls, pasty shops (like Three Seasons Cafe in Manistique), and small towns.  [source]

Note for SJ - this is a great idea for a future road trip! We can go visit the giant Stormie Kromer hat and the World's Biggest Calumet virtual!

US-2 Michigan's Upper Peninsula

And that leads us to the aforementioned St. Ignace. The less said about our hotel the better, but the view outside my balcony was stunning!

View outside my hotel in St Ignace

The last (and rainy) day of our trip brought us to the Seney Wildlife Refuge.... 

Marshland Wildlife Virtual GCK2EC

Seney has been on our list for years, and today we enjoyed the 6-mile drive through the refuge. We saw deer, swans, loons, kingfishers, blue herons, king birds, blue jays, orioles, pied-eyed grebes, sandhill cranes, and a beaver.

And, finally, Lake Superior. Yes, why are we visiting Lake Superior on the Lake Michigan Circle Tour? Because we can!

The Gales of November Virtual GC9P6B2

Ceder Waxwing. "What?"

Whitefish Point Lighthouse GC9P6PE

As the rain continued and the sky grew darker, it was time to pass over this amazing structure and head for home.

1,700 miles in 5 days visiting the Western side of Lake Michigan with my fabulous geo-partner, ShelleyJean. 

One more special post tomorrow.

Lake Michigan Circle Tour: Roadside America

The thing about traveling with SJ is the weirder the better. Nothing like a good, old-fashioned "Roadside America" road trip, and I'll tell you - this trip didn't disappoint!

Note: You will see a lot of Virtuals in this post, but there are no spoiler answers disclosed.

Illinois

The goal on this trip was to scoot past Chicago and get right into Wisconsin. But, left to my own devices in the passenger seat, I became just a bit curious over this Virtual along the highway. Yep! It's a pyramid! Actually, it was multiple pyramids (on an island, no less), plus a giant Ramses, dozens of smaller sphinxes, and a giant gold wall (blocking trespassers - this is private property).

Onan's Pyramid Virtual GC9P6BA

Wisconsin

Wisconsin starts with a "W" - so does "Wildly Weird".  

Take the Mary Nohl site. She was an accomplished artist who wanted to be surrounded by her art. And she did. Every inch of the exterior. It's worth the trip just for the view next door, too!

The Witch's House Virtual GC9EF4

If you are heading out of town to see the Mary Nohl house, you will most likely pass Kopp's. Home of the giant burger, krinkly fries, handmade shakes, and 20 cows out back!

Black and White Cows Virtual GC891H2

And, just a little further down the road....

WSQ His Last Trip Virtual GC75A3

This isn't even a virtual. It's someone's front yard!

HEEYYYY!!! You never know who you see along the Riverwalk!

Near the Letters Carried to the Fonz cache
GC1FGFC

Stop by to visit with Gertie the Duck and her ducklings on the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge. Now, there's a story there...

This one, to me, is not an oddity, but a rarity. We almost missed it because it's in the center of Marquette University's campus, but we double backed later to find metered parking. So glad we did!

According to the cache page: 

Originally named "The Chapelle de St. Martin de Saysuel", and built about 1420, during St. Joan's lifetime, it was located in the little French village of Chasse. The chapel was first moved to the Long Island, New York and later moved to its present location.

According to AtlasObscura.com, there are "artifacts in the chapel that date as far back as before the Black Death. The chapel is the oldest building in Wisconsin."

The Joan of Arc Chapel Virtual GC9EED

Not too far down the street (and a few blocks over from our hotel) is the Ladybug Building! This is an art installation by the city of Milwaukee, and each bug is 10 feet long!

So far, all the Wisconsin stops have been within miles of downtown Milwaukee, but the fun doesn't stop there as you head North out of town 

Port Washington

The Pebble House in Port Washington is a visitor center. The house is built in 1848 by the Dodge Family from stones from the shores of Lake Michigan. 

Now, who's going to tell the Wisconsinians that they are spelling "Sheboygan" wrong? They do, however, have 4 fascinating monoliths outside their public library that's worth a stop. I can't show more without giving the Virtual away!

Cache of Ages Virtual GC1A0E

Alas! If I have but one regret of this trip.... we didn't stop at the Kohler (as in "toilets") Arts Center for that virtual. But we did continue down the street to Deland Park to walk inside the Lottie Cooper shipwreck!

Again, don't want to give too much away, but there was this thing that happened in Manitowoc.

We crossed the 45th Parallel twice! We know it because we finally located the stone markers hidden in the roadside parks on each side of the Door County Peninsula. Sad to say - I prefer Michigan's signs.

Alright, why am I standing next to a building with goat cut-outs attached? Did you notice the grass on the roof? It's for the goats. The live goats. They feed up there around 9am each morning. Not sure if they're out? Check the Goat Cams!

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant - Sister's Bay

We didn't get to see the goats, but we did see a dragon just down the road.

SJ asked, "What's in Green Bay?" Apparently one of Football's greatest fan bases! These people are fanatics, and it was so much fun getting caught up in their excitement even on a non-game day!

Lambeau Field Virtual GC7BA21

I hate to end this post on a sad note, but as you head up the coast of Wisconsin into Michigan you will see the remnants (monuments and 2 mass graves) of the Peshtigo Fire of 1871. It's America's deadliest wildfire - burning down the town of Peshtigo and killing up to 2,500 people. Many have never heard of it because it occurred the same day as a more famous incident, the Great Chicago Fire (with its wide property damage and 300 lives lost).

Near the Northwoods Catastrophy Virtual GC79E4

So, why no Michigan in this post? Simply because my favorite stop, near Germfask, Michigan, deserves a post of it's own.