Exploring the American Wilderness and Other Adventures

Rendezvous Park, Wilson, Wyoming

Well. We have moved. We drove over 2,500 miles with one Sam Dog, one motorcycle, two long-haired guinea pigs, two tree frogs, and three kayaks. Everything went pretty well, with the exception of our hopes being dashed that this trip would force Sam Dog out of his anxiety related to being in a moving vehicle. Because he was not coping, each day we drove less than I had planned, which meant adjusting many other things along the way. And so it goes for love. No regrets, as the kids say.

Rainbows and Titties

I mean Tetons. We knew that the most difficult part would be getting to the east side of the Rockies, and it was. A Suburban loaded with thousands of pounds of things we did not need, pulling a trailer with even more things, is not exactly the picture of speed or efficiency. The Tetons tried to kill us. Okay, maybe not, but when I had the gas pedal pressed to the floor and we were still losing speed while climbing through the snowy mountain passes, it felt like certain death. Before that, though, we were lucky to advance upon some high elevation storm systems that created multiple full rainbows in each direction we looked and it was just the best way to start the trip. Or the best way to develop sincere, but false, hope directly before the mountain pass vs Suburban/U-Haul Trailer scene.

Plan B (not that kind, you silly goose)

It was many months ago when Barbarian Scientist was offered the job that required this move across the country. It was believed that because he already had such a high security clearance that this new clearance process would be quick and easy. We had planned on him moving before me because I had commitments I would not not back out of before moving. Because of that, I had an entirely magical route planned for myself and the pets and my plants. We would see all the national parks, the people I knew, and we would camp the entire way. However, the government does not work efficiently, even when handed all the materials to be so. It took six months for his paperwork to be completed, which meant I had to trade out my plants and my plans because both he and my plants could not fit in the car and he did not have the time for my trip-of-a-lifetime.

Plan B: Go see more trolls. Because it is a thing. If you do not know what I am talking about, you can catch up here. The new plan was to see more of the exhibits in Wyoming, Colorado, Kentucky, and Ohio. The Anxiety of Sam Dog allowed us to see half of that. And so it goes for love. No regrets.

R Park

After surviving the Tetons, we made it to our first troll, Mama Mimi. She is located in Rendezvous Park, which is in Wilson, Wyoming, near Jackson. Nicknamed R Park, it is a small park that was established and is operated by a nonprofit called Jackson Hole Land Trust. The property used to be a neglected gravel pit, and is now full of trails and bridges circling a beautiful pond, and Mama Mimi. The trailhead has established parking, pit toilets, maps, and announcements related to events in the park.

It appears that trails continue to be built around and through the park and there is plenty of evidence of wildlife in the area. We got there at sunset and there were only a couple of other people to share the incredible views with us.

A giant troll has emerged from the banks of R Park’s pond, to engage and delight all who visit. The troll – officially named “Mama Mimi” – was built by the artist Thomas Dambo, produced by Jackson Hole Public Art and hosted at Jackson Hole Land Trust’s community conservation property, R Park. This project has been years in the making and the organizations look forward to welcoming the community to visit this magical sculpture safely and with respect for the land. Check out our joint “Troll Like a Local” campaign!

Thomas Dambo, a Danish artist and recycling activist, led a team of workers to build “Mama Mimi” from recycled and renewable materials that were sourced locally. “Mama Mimi” is the eightieth addition to the larger family of trolls located all over the United States and the world; learn how the trolls are all connected to Dambo’s global fairytale, “The Great Story of the Little People”, at trollmap.com.

https://jhpublicart.org/art/mama-mimi

The trolls I saw on the Northwest Trolls trip had signs prohibiting people from climbing them, which I admit was tempting. Mama Mimi is actually designed FOR people to climb. Her leg extends across the water to a tiny island, with hand and footholds built into her thigh.

We continued on the trail that wraps around the little pond so we could continue to stretch our legs before getting back to the car, but in all, all we did was one mile. It is a tiny park, but it appears that the land trust is making the best out of it and I am thankful for the stop.

Mama Mimi might be even more awesome from across the pond, with the mountains and trees behind her. She really does look like she is just chilling at the water, taking a break from being a mom, or a troll, or a mom troll. Maybe she is thinking about the dumb shit people are going to go home and write about her. Or she is thinking nothing because she is a pile of recycled wood.