For those of you who follow my posts, you know that most of my "Artful Distraction" Series has been wood carvings permanently set on the front lawns in the suburbs of north and eastern Twin Cities homeowners. There are also huge characters and figures that define certain hometowns. But all so far have been permanent. But it is winter and it has been cold...Subzero temperatures and wind chills that literally blow all of the fun out of a Minnesota winter day. Home owners in Minnesota instead get to worry about frozen pipes, horrendous 
heating bills, roof and water damage from ice dams and carbon monoxide poisoning if they unthinkingly attempt to warm up their cars in an attached garage.
But as a hearty Minnesota REALTOR®, I did persevere and show homes this month. This week I am adding a new figure to my Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions that is there only temporary. It will last until we are once again blessed by warm weather. While trekking across Chisago County with buyers from North Branch to Chisago City, I drove by this ice sculpture in the front yard of a Stacy homeowner. It towers over the one story home and begs the question, "Why?" The ice tower reminded me of the news report from a few weeks back of a guy in Big Lake, MN with a similar passion for creating unique winter art. He uses the water from his geothermal heating system and a robot to "sculpt" a new creation every year. Last year the ice castle in Big Lake finally melted away sometime in July. It was a much larger sculpture but got me wondering how long this one will last. Anyone care to make a guess?
Click here to see a video of the Big Lake Ice Sculpture and robotic sprayer.
Other Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions to check out:
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Hometown Version: The North St. Paul Snowman
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: Grrrr....Black Bear in Columbus
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Hometown Version: Giant Mouse and Buffalo in Center City
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: Forest Lake Steam Train
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Homeowner Version: Ham Lake Bald Eagle in Nest
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: Little Gnome Facts in Forest Lake
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Hometown Version: Lindstrom Teapot Watertower
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: D'oh! Homer at Home in Centerville
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Hometown Version: Giant Polar Bear in White Bear Lake
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Hometown Version: East Bethel's New Resident Black Bear
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Homeowner Version: Steel Dragons in Blaine
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Homeowner Version: Move Over Tiger! Yogi's Ready for the Links in Forest Lake!
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: Skol Vikings! Minnesota Viking in Roseville, MN!
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: Not Paper Roses...Wooden American Beauties in Blaine, MN
Don't be distracted when making YOUR important real estate decisions! If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR® , give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!
Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
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If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota..JPG)
Buying a Home? Check out my HOME BUYER'S BLOG!
Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
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LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!
Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email
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I always loved your series Teri! This is just smashing!
My guess is August 3rd at 2:46 pm I'm not sure I have the time to think about doing this. Just amazing.
Teri, Your Artful Distractions is one of my all time favorite "series." This is absolutely incredible...I sure wish it were permanent! You have some really talented people in Minnesota :)
Hi Teri,
Wow, you are one hearty REALTOR!
Sally--Thank you...Even for our area, this one is unique!
Terry--I certainly hope it is gone by then! It is much smaller than the Big Lake one...Of course with the unusually cold weather that we have been having, you could be right. Let's hope not!
Carole--Best thing about ice and Minnesota...they can always create another one next year! Hopefully the next one is smaller as it means our weather was much warmer! :)
Lynda--You have to be in this weather unless you head south until spring...There are a few agents that hold licenses in FL and AZ for selling in the winter months. :)
Teri,
You have a talent for finding these "unique Minnesota distractions". You have quite a collection, thought about publishing a book?
Cynthia--It is fun to come across such "ART" but I don't think anyone would be interested in a book. :)
Teri, how cool....and I DO mean cool! Don't think we could have that type of art/sculpture here in our valley. Beautiful to see online though. ;-)
Teri...I drove by and seen this a while back...I had to turn around for a second look!
Teri "It will last until we are blessed again with warm weather". Is that mid-July? :) Karen
Teri--It is pretty COOL...bet it was melting fast in our 40-50 degree temps these last few days! :)
William--I had the exact same reaction when I saw it. :)
Karen--We usually warm up a bit sooner than that. The ice is off the lakes by the end of April in most parts of the state. Something this big would stick around a bit longer but not until July...I hope! :)
Teri, Very nice. We just had Winterfest here in Lake Geneva WI, but unfortunately by the time I got out last Saturday to really have a look the sculptures were melted enough that the details could not be seen. The winning sculpture was a Transformer.
Rebecca--I missed this year's St Paul Winter Carnival's ice contest as it was the weekend when it was way below zero...good for ice but not for people! I did see the last ice castle and sculptures downtown a few years ago...It was a long cold walk to see them. Now I am certain with our 40's last week they are all slush!