For anyone who has ever encountered this strange sculpture at Hains Point in Washington DC it always takes a few minutes to take it all in. If you weren't excepting to see a giant emerging from the earth it can be a real surprise. Kids love it and tourists spend a lot of time photographing the sculpture.
Now "The Awakening" is leaving and moving across the Potomac River to a new home in Prince Georges County at the new mega National Harbor development. Even though I write quite a bit about DC and Northern Virginia history I was surprised to learn that the statue has actually been on loan to the National Park Sevice. Since it has been at Hains Point since 1980 it never crossed my mind that it was a permanent fixture.
So starting tomorrow they will be digging up our quirky sculpture and by the end of the week he will be in his new home. I wish him well in his travels and look forward to visiting him on the other side of the river.
More pictures of "The Awakening"
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That is a very interesting sculpture. I am glad they are just moving it and not destroying it.
I remember seeing it during the Marine Corps Marathon. It's bigger than I expected.
Cindy, like Craig, the last time I saw the sculpture was during the Marine Corps Marathon in 2004. I'm sure it can't be easy orchestrating the move.
Jim, I was shocked when I learned it was moving but it goes to show money talks and the statue moves.
Craig-it is huge! Perhaps you thought you were seeing things at that point in the Marathon :-)
Brian-I've spent some time with the statue when I was bike riding in the area. It is awesome and will be missed by locals and tourists alike.
I'm bummed about this. Whenever I fly into National during the daytime I look for it. I haven't been to it in about 5 years and don't think I ever took pics of it either. 28 years later they claim him? Hmpf!
Do you ever get to Seattle? There is a really amazing Troll under a Bridge there, witha VW bug in his hand. Giants and monsters are always such crowd pleasers. :)
Cindy - this is sooo cool! I have never seen it before! thanks for sharing that with all of us here in the Rain!
Tchaka-I'm disappointed too. Never thought that someone would dig him up and whisk him away.
Sarah-I used to travel to Seattle quite a lot. I can't believe I missed the Troll under the bridge. I would love to see a picture!
Bill & Barbara Jo-it is cool and now it is gone. It isn't that far away but still it was an icon along the Potomac River and it will be missed.
Here you go! One troll in Seattle, care of wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont_Troll
It really is very cool. And that is areal VW bug in its hand.
Sarah-that is so cool. It will be on must see list the next time I come back to Seattle!
Cindy, I told my GF about this yesterday and she was quite bummed. Unbeknownst to me, her grandfather's ashes were sprinkled all around The Awakening. It didn't help matters when I told her a luxury condo was going up right there. :-)
I love this sculpture. At first I thought they were destroying it. I am so glad they are not. It is so interesting.