CHAPTER THREE
Seattle and Fremont (continued from previous page)

Karyn had promised to show us the troll, so we headed to the eclectic suburb of Seattle called Fremont. Sure enough, there is a giant concrete troll under the bridge in Fremont. Why? I don’t think anyone really knows, but it is indeed one of those tourist monuments that one must see!! I had to laugh with Pat, who stuck his whole arm up the troll’s nose for the photo op! (Euuuuuwww!)

Roadside America.com says, about the troll:

The shaggy haired troll glares southward with his shiny metal eye — a hubcap? In his left hand, he crushes an old style Volkswagen beetle (which originally contained a time capsule of Elvis memorabilia; removed after the car was vandalized and the California license plate was stolen). There are plenty of places to pose, and interaction with the troll is encouraged.

Interaction with a concrete troll is just a little scary.

From the troll, we headed to Gas Works park. According to City of Seattle.net:

This 20 acre point on Lake Union was cleared in 1906 to construct a plant to manufacture gas from coal - later converted to crude oil. Import of natural gas in the 1950's made the plant obsolete. The city acquired the site for a park in 1962. The park was opened to the public in 1975. The boiler house has been converted to a Picnic Shelter with tables, fire grills and an open area. The former exhauster-compressor building, now a children's play barn, features a maze of brightly painted machinery.

The park has lovely views of the City of Seattle, and Lake Union is a beautiful lake with clear blue water. The hilltop is a prime area for kite flying – we saw two – and the hills are apparently a good hangout for young couples and families on blankets enjoying the warmth of the autumn afternoon. Kids were playing soccer, and I enjoyed watching a child roll down the hill in log roll fashion. My favorite part of the park was the huge sundial at the top of the tallest hill. I stood in the center and sure enough, my shadow marked the exact time! For some reason that surprised me, and certainly impressed me!

From Gas Works Park, we headed back to the downtown area of Fremont for a glimpse of the Bus Stop People. The story is just too scary for my own words so I’ll once again let Roadside America.com tell you all about it:

Since 1979, just north of the Fremont Bridge, the Interurban's six cast aluminum figures (including a dog) have stood waiting for a cast aluminum bus that never arrives.

Now subject to frequent -- and encouraged -- "art attacks," the Interurban is forever festooned with layers of junk, clothing, and masquerade attire, celebrating whatever.

Waiting for the Interurban was created by artist Richard Beyer, who also sculpted the well-endowed bull and the book-nerd coyote in Ellensburg, Washington. Beyer was on the Fremont Arts Council committee when a sculptor was chosen for the work (since no one applied, he chose himself). Committee member (and honorary mayor) Armen Stepanian disagreed, and the two squabbled. Beyer ultimately got his revenge by making the dog's face resemble Stepanian.

I warned you that Fremont is eclectic!

Tell me more about Fremont!!