Journal

Would you stop on the way to your destination to look at a bunch of sticks? If you’re traveling along I-94 in Central Minnesota, I sure hope so! Just off the freeway near St. John’s University, there is an amazing outdoor art installation. Think of it as fiber art on steroids!

Better yet, think about the cool quilts that could be created from these photos. You wouldn’t even have to decide how to quilt them — the photos of these nifty structures tell you everything you need to know!

Lean On Me is an installation dreamed up by Patrick Dourghety and put up by more than 300 people in 2012. It’s temporary and will be taken down sometime in 2014, probably because it becomes a safety hazard when it all dries out. (Yes, there is a No Smoking sign right below the information sign.)

I love the kittywampus nature of the little huts. They lean every which direction and remind me of the illustrations of Whoville in that timeless classic The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Not that I’ve actually sat down and looked at that book recently…

I visited with my friend Deb Mohr on a quick shopping trip to St. Cloud. Anyone for some hide and seek? I can only imagine how much fun young children have running around and through these structures. We had a pretty good time too!

Deb is a pretty darn good photographer, so we hunted around to find a spot with decent light. That’s rather challenging in the middle of the day, but we did get a few fun photos. Best of all, we gave ourselves permission to stop, play, and enjoy these magnificent works of art. Yes, it was a great diversion — and the best part of our day.

What about you? Have you made an unexpected stop along the way lately? Chime in below. I’d love to hear about your adventures.