Greetings from the “Statue Tour: A Mammoth Road Trip!” We started off Thursday morning (April 2) in Milwaukee at 7:30 a.m. Though it was rather cold for this San Diegan, the good people of Milwaukee told me it was a pretty nice morning by their standards. To that I say, “Brrrrrr!!!”
Regardless of the morning hours and the cooler (cold) temperatures, we had several hundred people stop by and hang out with us to learn more about the statues and Elephant Odyssey. Though scheduled to be there between 8 and 10 in the morning, we had people showing up a little after 7:30 and we ended up staying closer to 10:30 because of public interest. I was even interviewed by the local CBS station, so if anyone catches that on the Milwaukee news, let me know!
As you can see by some of the pictures, we were lucky to avoid any snow or rain that was predicted for the morning. That said, who knows what weather we may get as we head to Chicago.
It has also been quite fun to follow the truck and see the reactions people have as they see the flat-bed trailer loaded with animals from the Pleistocene! One guy walking down the street snapped his head around so fast I thought he may have hurt himself. Other people smile and point, and passengers in cars are taking pictures with their cell phone cameras.
I’ll write more and hopefully include a few more pictures!
Oh, and don’t forget, the new Elephant Odyssey Web site is up and running.
Rick Schwartz is the San Diego Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey Ambassador.
Read Rick’s previous post, Where’s My Trunk?
Funny! I like the pic of the elephant on the freeway
It sounds like you’re having a great time escorting the statues back to San Diego.
The picture taken from the side road pointing upward does make it look like there are animals standing on the highway above. The flatbed trailer that the statues are standing on is hidden behind the concrete barrier.
I wish I lived on the route you’re taking. I’d love to see the big cat statue.
Wishing you safe travels, Rick! Hope the weather stays nice for you.
Hi Rick – Chilly weather aside; it sounds like you are having a great time. I did get to check out the Elephant Odyssey website this morning. It is awesome! We can’t wait until the grand opening on May 23rd.
Also, I clicked on San Diego Zoo Facebook. The big news, of course, is the Elephant Odyssey Statue Tour. There were several photos showing the sculptures of the prehistoric animals being crane lifted onto the flat bed truck. I know it was early morning when you left Milwaukee, however, I was surprised to see quite a few adults and children enjoying the extraordinary sight. The local residents were taking many photos to remember this event.
Have a great trip. The warmer weather is “just around the corner”.
Wow Rick those statures are huge, I bet every one was looking at those riding down the freeway. Hey Rick today at 500pm pacific time I saw Mabu charging at Musi, he was pushing him with his trunk like he was going to knock him down swatting him with his trunk, just scared me.! Isn’t Musi still too young to be scolded by his dad?
Rick you need to hurry back, the elephants at wap are doing stuff I never saw before. Now at 525pm mabu is running and playing with another Ellie then throws himself on the ground, rolls and gets up and the other Ellie found looks like an empty little water bottle that I guess a tourist threw in enclosure, and was kicking it. Then mabu saw it and was looking at it but was like afraid of it, Then he just walked with the other Ellie out of view. It is exciting to watch!
I had just read about the elephant odyssey statues being made in wisconsin or maybe I saw it on tv. any-way, it was soooooo cool to now view these statues on a flat-bed going down the high-way in milwaukee.
it must of made alot of people stop, stare, and click those cameras!! now when we see those statues errected at the san diego zoo, we can also visualize their tour along the way and the smiles on people’s faces. anything out of the ordinary, unique, and unusual, will always cause alot of stares, questions, media exposure, and make it’s way into the evening news and into the newspapers! fun! fun! hopefully, the weather will cooperate until these huge statues get to their new homes safely and in one piece!!!
Moderator’s note: Follow the statue tour at http://www.elephantodyssey.com/tourvideo/
Pretty impressive!!! Can’t wait until they reach San Diego.