The Bronz Bull of Wall Street

Earth Troll amid hundreds of tourists
at the Wall Street Bull.

One of the most famous landmarks in New York City  is the Wall Street Bull, located at Bowling Green Park in Lower Manhattan. 16 feet long from nose to tail and weighing 7,000 pounds, the sculpture is a popular tourist destination which draws thousands of people every day.

On the night of December 15, 1989 the bull was loaded on a truck with a crane and driven to the New York Stock Exchange by the artist, Arturo Di Modica and a few friends. It arrived unnoticed and unannounced under the NYSE Christmas tree. By morning it was the headline story in all of the New York newspapers. Nobody knew who was responsible or how the bull got there. The mystery only added to the press the bronze sculpture received. The next day though, Modica was discovered to be the artist responsible as he stood by his art handing out flyers about it.

The New York Stock Exchange Officials were not happy with the present and demanded the city remove it. When the city didn't remove the bull that same day, at 5:00PM, the NYSE paid a private contractor to remove it and put it in storage. The next day's edition of the NY Post published with a headlined that said “BAH HUMBUG .. N.Y. Stock Exchange grinches can’t bear Christmas-gift bull” with a large front-page photo of the Bull being removed. There arose such an outcry from the public that the city agreed to place the bull in Bowling Green Park, a few blocks from the NYSE. The NYSE however, ever on the lookout for any way to make or save money, demanded they be repaid every penny of their costs for removing and storing the statue before they would release it.

Modica had spent $360,000 of his own money and many hours of his time to give the citizens of New York City a free gift. On December 20, 1989, just 5 days after the brouhaha started, the gift was finally placed at its new home and has since become a World-wide icon symbolizing Wall Street and the Financial District.

Trolls in Hawaii - Paradise Post 5

(map courtesy of  Lonely Planet)

Time to drive around the island of Hawaii to see what we can see.

Monet Troll along the coast of Hawaii

Lil Dude Troll along the coast of Hawaii

At Akaka Falls State Park

Akaka Falls

At Wailuku River State Park

Waianuenue (Rainbow Falls)

Lunch at Punalu'u Bake Shop - the most southern bake shop in America

At Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park

Punalu'u Beach

Punalu'u Black beach sand

Near several Green Sea Turtles who have crawled onto the beach in
preparation for digging nests and laying their eggs. Green Sea Turtles
are endangered.

Trolls in Hawaii - Paradise Post 3

Lil Dude was a big hit in Hawaii!

After 4 wonderful days on Oahu and having fully recovered from jet lag and the time difference, it was time to board an Hawaiian Airlines flight and hop over to "The Big Island" (Hawaii) for 5 days of exploring all this amazing island has to offer.

The island of Hawaii is the largest of the 8 main Hawaiian islands. It was formed by the eruptions of 5 volcanoes. Two of them, Mauna Loa and Kilauea are still active. The island continues to grow as the erupting lava flows into the ocean.

Monet Troll in the terminal waiting for our flight

After landing in Hilo, picking up the rental car & stopping for
lunch, the Trolls checked into the Bamboo Orchid Cottage B&B
in the little town of Volcano on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park

Located in the rain forest, the B&B was a wonderful place to
stay. The "Enchanted Forest Studio" cottage was excellent!

The Trolls had a large, private balcony with the rain forest
ferns gently swaying in the breeze close enough to touch. The
balcony was perfect for having a cup of fresh brewed Kona
coffee  every morning. Perfect way to start the day!

The bed was deliciously comfortable. The Trolls turned on the
heater and left the balcony sliding door open to hear the
gentle rain that fell every night. Believe it or not, it was
a bit cold at night!

Our host Kathy was super friendly and the breakfasts she 
served every morning was delicious. The Trolls highly 
recommend this wonderful bed & breakfast!

The entrance to Volcanoes National Park is just 1 mile from
the town of Volcano

A trip to the visitor center is recommended before touring
the park

Volcanic steam vents are all over the park. Be careful getting
close to them as the sulfur smell can be very strong and yucky! 

Walk through the  interesting Thurston Fern Forest to get to 
a long lava tube to walk through 

Kilauea caldera and Halema'uma'u crater (the home
of Pele, Goddess of Hawaiian volcanoes)

This was considered a sacred place by ancient Hawaiians.
Native Hawaiians still honor and practice their traditions here.

Touring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is amazing. Seeing
active volcanoes in person is simply an awesome experience.

The Enchanted Mushroom Forest

Down a hidden path deep in the quiet woods, the Troll family finds the mythical Enchanted Mushroom Forest.

The Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas

The Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas is located exactly 1,139 miles from the
 start of Route 66 in Chicago and the end in Santa Monica, California. 

The Trolls, Monet, Lil Dude, & Earth (left to right) in the Midpoint Cafe
chillin' while waiting for the food to be served.

Burger & chips were pretty darn good. If in the area again, Lil Dude
would come back.

The waitress was friendly and efficient & she liked Lil Dude!

In one of those strange, fortuitous "on the road" happenings, as the
Trolls were leaving, a cute, very friendly young lady with a wonderful
smile and crazy blue hair came in with her male companion. They were
hiking along Route 66 and she and Lil Dude struck up an immediate
kinship. Lil Dude still smiles when he thinks of this! May you have
fair travels and a happy life ahead of you our blue haired friend!

To read the blog write-up, here is the link to our sister site - 1DustyTrack.

Trolls At Play

Not many people know that Trolls can fly.

They love to fly!

They don't get tired.

They'll fly all day and into the night if you let them!