This week we will be covering a great day trip that can be made from the Chicagoland area- only about a half hour drive from the city to The Morton Arboretum. The Arboretum worked with artist Thomas Dambo to create six larger than life wooden trolls hidden throughout the park. The trolls are made from reclaimed wood and ‘trash’- the artist hopes that people can see what beautiful things their trash can actually make.
I first saw one of the trolls on my way to work, it was looking out over the highway from the arboretum- like it was searching for far off troubles and guarding the park. I’ve always loved trolls and growing up in a small town with deep Norwegian roots they were always a common theme in decoration and stories. After a quick google search I was rapidly making plans to visit the park and see Dambo’s trolls.
I convinced a friend to come check it out with me and I can happily say that we both agreed it was well worth the $15 admission. The nice thing we discovered was that you don’t really need a plan to see the trolls, four of them are located in the main part of the park and the remaining two are a little further off across a small highway. I would suggest walking to the first four trolls if you’re able and then driving to the last two. You do have the option of driving to each troll but I think part of the fun is actually navigating the trails, but take my opinion for what it’s worth. The trails are well marked and at each troll you will find a map to the others as well as clues to where the Troll Hideout is.
Each of the six trolls is so detailed and different that you could very well spend an hour at each troll. At the very least each troll presents an opportunity for some great photos, which of course I took advantage of. The best photo opps were with Joe the Guardian, the troll by the highway, and with Furry Ema, the troll with the net. Both of these troll are far from the main areas near the Visitor Center, and have paths far enough from parking that it seemed like some people bypassed them. Im sure if you go early enough you could get some great photos and time with Sneaky Socks Alexa and Rocky Bardur, but when we arrived there were just a few too many people and children. By far the most people were congregated around Little Arturs and if you go you will see why… who wouldn’t want take a photos that looks as if you’re being eaten by a troll?
After completing our ‘hunt’ and seeing each of the trolls and their hideout I wanted to kick myself for not coming to The Morton Arboretum sooner. It’s such a beautiful park with trees from around the world and a nice break from the city and suburbs. It was amazing to see how much people were enjoying the trolls- from families with young children, to couples walking hand in hand, to the budding photographer armed with her expensive looking camera and wandering about along. Clearly it’s a place for any age and occasion.
I would 10 out of 10 recommend this experience- whether you have all day or just a few hours, the trolls will be there for you to find… but don’t wait too long! Dambo’s trolls will only last through 2018 and some of 2019 depending on how their fare the awful Chicago winter.
–Jess, the blonder half of Millennial Trekkers
