This past weekend, Mother Goose and her dear Gander made the annual pilgrimage to Spring Green, Wisconsin to commemorate their wedding anniversary. Along the way, they discussed many items they had forgotten to bring along with them, including the drops and ointments for the eyes of Mother Goose AND the list of suggested attractions to visit whilst they were in the area. Of course, these were the attractions which were suggested by Mother Goose and not necessarily the attractions approved by her dear Gander who had secretly loaded his golf bag into the trunk of the Goosemobile…
As they drove nearer and nearer to their destination, Mother Goose suddenly recognized the name of the town of Hollandale. She remembered that one of her many desired attractions was a place named Grandview, just outside of Hollandale. Dear Gander looked slightly hesitant as she directed him to the quaint little folk art and touristy location, but happily obliged when he saw her beaming face upon their arrival.
The sign simply says it all…
Mother Goose quickly leaped out of the car, nearly falling down in her excitement. She grabbed her Coolpix camera and sprinted towards the entrance to the park — dear Gander close behind her.
I’m sure the suspense is just killing you right now…
Here are the wondrous sights which met her eyes!
The inventive genius creator and artist of this space was Austrian immigrant, Nick Engelbert, who came to Wisconsin with his beautiful Swiss bride in 1922. He began creating these amazing concrete sculptures in the 1930’s as he recovered from a sprained ankle. By the mid ’50’s, his yard was completely filled with these whimsical characters. His home and workshop are made of stone and concrete, covered with glass mosaic tiles and scraps of broken bottles in all colors.
It was a mythical place, a mind-blowing attraction. Aren’t you glad that my dear Gander stopped there?
Are you wondering where Mother Goose and her dear Gander went for dinner that night? You must return for THAT interesting story…
Mother Goose Smiles 
Jul 03, 2013 @ 14:05:08
How cool! We’ll be passing through Wisconsin later this summer … perhaps a stop at Grandview is in order …. funny thing – when I saw the title, I thought you maybe meant the Grandview Resort that’s just a few miles north of Brainerd….
Jul 04, 2013 @ 12:54:52
Charlie, there is so much to do in that little corner of Wisconsin — attractions beyond your wildest dreams! Thanks for dropping by for a little visit! 😀
Jul 03, 2013 @ 16:18:42
Fun story. Happy anniversary. Best to Mark.
Jul 04, 2013 @ 12:57:02
Thanks Jeff, I am continually amazed at the creativity and ingenuity of “regular folks” like Nick. Every single person on this planet has a spark of whimsy within their heart — I love to see what they do with that!
Jul 03, 2013 @ 19:11:03
That looks like such an interesting place – can’t wait to hear about your dinner!
Jul 04, 2013 @ 12:58:01
Omigooseness, Dianna — this was just the BEGINNING of wondrous attractions and sightings and tours…Happy Fourth of July to you and your family! 😀
Jul 03, 2013 @ 21:50:22
Oh my gosh I love this so much!! I must go there sometime!! What fun sculptures and the house is just amazing!!
Jul 04, 2013 @ 12:58:56
This is definitely a one-of-a-kind little attraction! It’s so fun to take the back roads!
Jul 04, 2013 @ 00:09:54
I hope you had a wonderful anniversary. I would thoroughly enjoy the whimsy of this remarkable place. The artist must have been quite a character. I’ve never heard of Grandview, andI’m so pleased to be introduced! 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful 4th, Mother Goose.
Jul 04, 2013 @ 14:20:43
Debra, thank you so much! It is so fun to find a little bit of wonderment down a back road… It was no mistake or accident that we ended up walking up that beautiful drive to see Mr. Engelbert’s artwork. And Happy 4th to you too. And Happy 5th.