contributed photo

Wanna little day trip that is sorta like a pilgrimage? Head for Clinton, Iowa on U.S. Hwy. 30 on the Mighty Mississip to see the Trolls.

We first saw Trolls a couple of years ago in Chicago at the Morton Arboretum. I never imagined that others might wind up in Clinton, Iowa. But yep’r, Clinton is proud as a rooster at sunrise to show’m off and welcome tourists. “Howdy stranger! Where y’all from?”

How did all this get going? Well, there’s this Danish sculptor, Thomas Dambo, who is famous worldwide for building giant Troll sculptures from reclaimed wood and recycled material. He has Trolls in more than 20 countries, and dozens of U.S. States. His goal is to build a Troll in every state.

Clinton, Iowa, being the self proclaimed Lumber Capital of the World, begged, pleaded and finagled Dambo to visit Clinton. Once there, Dambo agreed that Clinton, with its lumber history, was an ideal location for more Trolls. However, he devised a little story about three brothers: Marvin, Warren, and Helmut, who had been asleep in the northern woods. When they awoke they went searching for their trees. In Clinton, they saw where the trees had been used to build a mighty nation. They set about to reforest the land.

Much of the work on the sculptures in Clinton was performed by volunteers. However, the heads for the sculptures were constructed overseas and shipped to Clinton. Sightseers are encouraged to hug the trolls but not sit or stand on them.

Marvin is located at the beautiful Bickelhaupt Arboretum, 340 S. 14th St. in Clinton. A little walking is required, but I made it, and I’m almost immobile from neuropathy, shortness of breath and dizziness, like the old cuss I am.

Warren is downtown in the original train station at 60 Fourth Ave. South. The building is plugged full of tree branches, and a hole has been chopped in the wall for you to walk through, ducking under branches.

Helmut is in the green space on the grounds of the Sawmill Museum at 2231 Grant St. A tour of the Sawmill Museum is most interesting and well worth it. You walk across the street to see Helmut, who is busy planting a tree.

There is a fourth Troll, but you must find it. The three brothers are wearing necklaces that contain a clue as to the whereabouts of the fourth. The fourth Troll is unnamed, but you are encouraged to name it, if and when you find it. It’s not easy, but loads of fun. It’s in Eagle Point Park, which is not a small place. After some major searching, driving in circles, and asking, “Where’s the Troll?” we found it. The eighth-of-a-mile walk on a forest path, up and down hills, tripping over tree roots, was doable.

For lunch, we stopped at Hook’s Pub and Grill, which had the best burger I’ve eaten in a long time, and quite a selection of craft beer on tap. I don’t drink, but the atmosphere and friendliness of the patrons and bartender was Clinton, lumber town, authentic.

On the way home I was stopped for speeding, but let off with a friendly warning ticket. It was the Highway PaTROLL!

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Have a good story? Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526 or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com. Curt is available for public speaking.