I’ve decided to seek solace from the current chaos of the world through a return to story telling on this blog. With so much feeling out of my control lately, I remembered how powerful it is to seek out beauty and adventures in everyday life and share it with others.
So, after weeks of frigid temperatures here in North Carolina, a day in the upper 60s was the perfect excuse to get out and be in nature. My friend Mimi and I headed north for lunch and a little outdoor adventure in Dix Park. We had a scrumptious lunch at Namu Korean Eats in Durham, and dessert at La Farm Bakery in Cary, before heading to Raleigh and the park. Unfortunately, I didn’t think about getting pics until after it was all eaten, so no food visuals to share. Hey, cut me some slack, it’s been a while since my brain was in blog mode!
In October 2025, Dix Park received the largest installation of Thomas Dambo troll sculptures in North America. Internationally renowned for his enormous wooden trolls made entirely from recycled wood, he uses his platform as an artist to draw “global audiences into a playful, urgent conversation about waste, wonder, and our relationship to the planet.” Since 2016, he has built giant trolls in natural areas surrounded by urban/suburbs in over 20 countries.
For three weeks last fall, he and his team from Denmark, along with 400-500 volunteers built a family of five trolls out of old bourbon barrels, repurposed fence wood and pallets, fallen tree branches, and approx. 50,000 screws/nails. The size is immense – from 10-12 feet in height, to a nearly 700-foot-long tail connecting a baby troll to its mother.
Nestled amongst the trees, the trolls are a permanent installation in Dix Park and are intended to encourage outdoor recreation while providing a message of environmental protection and sustainability through an interactive art experience. Click HERE to watch the 9-minute WRAL interview with the creator describing his art and the North Carolina installations.
The five Dix Park figures are part of a broader project that includes a total of seven trolls- a mother and father and their five children. Mother Strong Tail, Father Bird Eye, Dax, Dux, and Dix reside in Raleigh, while siblings Big Pete and Little Sally have ventured off to Charlotte and High Point, respectively. Each of the trolls carry a clue to their true mission: to protect the Grandmother Tree.
The outing was a much needed day of sunshine and warm temperatures, delicious food, a stroll through nature, and great company. How are you finding joy these days?
FitHippie Adventures 
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