Happy New Year

I’m not going to look back on 2025.  There are things I’d rather forget and it won’t be productive to rehash it all here.  So…… the GS and I started off the new year today with a new adventure.  We went off to Dix Park in Raleigh to see the trolls.  It was chilly with a strong breeze, but the sun came out and it turned into a lovely day.  The trolls are spectacular.  They are made from reclaimed materials and we are fortunate to have five of them here in one park.  If you read about them you will find out it is a family of seven, two of which are teenagers who have roamed off and can be seen elsewhere in North Carolina.  The first one we came across is named Dix.  The detail is amazing.  I especially liked the necklaces and earrings, and finger and toenails!  Dix is peeking out of the trees holding the end of his mama’s tail. 

Mama’s name is Mother Strong Tail.  Her tail wends its way through the trees and it was fun to discover her lounging comfortably in the woods.  Children were having the best time following her winding tail until they found her.  

She’s quite large.  I don’t have a picture of a person up close to her for scale.  Oh well.

Next we found Dux.  He seemed a little shy.  Lots of children were having their picture taken in front of him peeking through their fingers.  

I took photos for a family so they insisted on taking photos for me.  This is the only picture the boy consented to.  😊

Not too far from Dux we found Dax.  He’s an animated fellow with a mouth full of teeth.

I spotted pinecones in his ear.  I wonder if the birds will nest in/on the trolls in the spring?

Several people stood under his hand for photos.  It was just the right height so it looked like Dax was patting them on the head. 

There was a gaggle of young adults having a giggle over Dax’s bootie.  “Look at his cute cheeks!”  So you know I had to take a picture too.  😆

The park is over 300 acres and the last troll is at the other end of the park.  I confess we drove rather than walked.  There were some art installations on the way, and historic buildings that were closed for the holiday.  We also spotted some nice views of downtown Raleigh.  

The Stone Houses and visitor center.  Closed for the holiday.

I wondered what the tangle of wire could be on the top of this colorful artwork. 

Hard to see, but when we walked around it, it revealed itself to be an owl!  Not sure how the owl relates to the rest of the sculpture, but it was interesting.

And there he is, Daddy Bird Eye.  What a strange name I thought.  When we got close we also realized how large he is.  

Earrings!

Ah!  I bet that’s how he got his name.  He’s leaning on this tree with a bird’s eye view of the Raleigh skyline.  Or maybe not.  😊

Something to do with temperature and weather, but there were con trails everywhere in the bright blue sky.

Even at home during sunset.

Right by Dix Park is the State Farmers Market.  Not much going on this holiday day in the way of shopping.  The boy and I decided try the busy looking restaurant though.  It was busy and loud, but in a nice way.

And lastly, out of The Sandbox today is the first finish for 2026.  A quilted trucker hat to enter in our quilt show in March.  

Happy New Year!!