I will take a step away from India travel to post some pictures of a very interesting place on Michigan state route 28 (M-28) a short distance outside of Marquette, Michigan. Lakenenland is a marvelous sculpture park, filled with many amazing creations made from scrap metal and other items. It is 17 miles (27 km) east of Marquette on the south side of M-28 just past the Ojibway Casino (I’ve never been to the casino, but have driven past many times) as you head toward Munising.
Apparently Tom Lakenen started making sculptures from junk art. He accumulated enough to need a place to put them and acquired land along M-28. It is a wonderful park. You can walk along the road through the park or drive if you prefer. It is free, although donations are accepted. If you are ever in the Marquette area, I highly recommend a visit. It is open 24 hours a day all year round. Here is the start of the tour at the parking area.
Main entrance by the parking lot.
A comfortable skeleton greets you as you walk along.
A seated skeleton
The art is really quite good. I made this picture black and white as I think it makes it spookier.
A scary face
The art is very whimsical. Note the beer keg at he back of the tractor.
A tractor on the go
I captured the Sun in the midst of the stars in this high dynamic range (HDR) composite of three exposures.
An HDR image with the Sun among the stars.
There is a very detailed creation of a band playing.
The band played on
The band has some athletic dancers as part of their show.
Dancers accompanied the band
This is an Astronomy blog, so I need to include the Astronomer.
Looking to the stars
A beautiful owl sits on its nest above recently consumed prey.
A perched owl
Some items are just odd.
Not quite sure what this is
The stainless steel work is very beautiful.
Last moments for the rabbit
This is an odd-looking creature.
Some sort of beast
I never knew that bowling balls grow on the north side of a tree. I always thought it was moss. But it is good to know.
In case you are lost in the woods
The illusion of a mirror in this sculpture is marvelous.
Marvelous mirror effect
I thought of Evel Knievel when I saw this, but I think he had more meet on his bones. More bones too.
Evel Knievel perhaps
The stunt driver up close
In one part of the park, there is a shelter with a fire pit. In addition to being along M-28, the park is along Snowmobile Trail 417, so stopping for a warm-up might be a good thing.
Facilities are available year-round
This is another HDR composite, capturing the details of the windmill with the bright clouds as well.
An HDR of the Sun and a windmill
As you come to the end you see the Moon and the stars on a rocket heading out into space.
The Moon and stars head out into space
There are many, many more sculptures in the park. There is also a band shell
A repeat at the end to make sure Facebook picks up the picture I want.
A scary face
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