This road may lot look magical, but this is the beginning of "The Enchanted Highway" which extends 32 miles from Exit 72 on Interstate 94 south to the town of Regent, North Dakota.

The Enchanted Highway is a series of what are billed as the world's tallest metal sculptures. The subject matter of these sculptures is taken from rural North Dakota life, and includes grasshoppers, geese, Theodore Roosevelt (who spent the happiest years of his life in rural North Dakota), and "The World's Largest Tin Family."

As the organizers of these works of art are not ashamed to admit, the main purpose behind the Enchanted Highway is to promote tourism to the area. Gary Greff is a metallurgist from Regent, and as the driving force behind the creation of this series of sculptures he hopes that increased tourism will bring people and their money to help save the impoverished town of Regent and the surrounding communities.

The location of this sculpture is intended to draw travelers in to see the rest of the project. Near the geese is a sign with several hand-written exhortations to go see the rest of the sculptures. (This isn't a great picture, but click on it for a larger, more legible photo of this sign.)

In addition to the Geese, there were four displays when I was there. Each had a parking lot, and a bulletin board with descriptions and facts about each exhibit including press clippings and other information.

I decided to transcribe the informational postings about the Enchanted Highway exactly as they appear at the sites. I found something, well, enchanting about the write-ups that the organizers made for these exhibits.

Read the Introduction to the Enchanted Highway