Imagine a world where dinosaurs roam free in Vermont.
Now, replace those dinosaurs with a colossal wooden sculpture that looks like it escaped from a Tim Burton fever dream.
Welcome to the land of Vermontasaurus!
In the quaint town of Post Mills, Vermont, there’s a sight that’ll make you do a double-take faster than a squirrel spotting the last acorn of fall.
It’s not every day you stumble upon a 25-foot-tall, 122-foot-long wooden dinosaur looming over the countryside.
But here we are, folks, in the presence of the mighty Vermontasaurus.
This isn’t your average roadside attraction.
Oh no, this is what happens when creativity, a whole lot of scrap wood, and a dash of Vermont quirkiness collide.
Picture this: you’re driving along, minding your own business, maybe humming a tune about maple syrup or Ben & Jerry’s, when suddenly – BAM!
A ginormous wooden dinosaur appears on the horizon.
You might think you’ve taken a wrong turn and ended up in Jurassic Park, but fear not!
This is just another day in the wonderfully weird world of Vermont art.
The Vermontasaurus isn’t just any old dinosaur.
It’s a labor of love, a testament to the power of community, and quite possibly the most impressive use of scrap wood since, well, ever.
Created by local artist Brian Boland, this magnificent beast came to life in 2010.
Boland, known for his hot air balloon rides and general zest for life, decided one day that what Post Mills really needed was a massive wooden dinosaur.
Because why not, right?
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.
When life gives you a pile of scrap wood, you build a dinosaur.
That’s just Vermont logic for you.
The creation of Vermontasaurus wasn’t without its challenges.
Apparently, some folks thought that maybe, just maybe, there might be some safety concerns about a 25-foot-tall wooden structure held together by enthusiasm and a prayer.
But Boland wasn’t deterred.
He rallied the troops, got the necessary permits, and before you could say “maple creemee,” Vermontasaurus was standing tall and proud.
Now, you might be wondering, “What exactly does a Vermontasaurus look like?”
Well, imagine if a stegosaurus and a pile of pick-up sticks had a baby.
Then, give that baby a growth spurt and a healthy dose of Vermont charm.
That’s your Vermontasaurus.
It’s not exactly scientifically accurate, but then again, neither are most of our childhood drawings of dinosaurs.
And let’s be honest, it’s way more fun this way.
The Vermontasaurus isn’t just a sight to behold from the outside.
Oh no, this wooden wonder has a hollow interior that you can actually explore.
It’s like being in the belly of the beast, minus the whole being-digested part.
Just watch your step and maybe wear a hard hat.
Safety first, even when you’re channeling your inner paleontologist.
As you wander around (or inside) this magnificent creature, you might notice that it’s not exactly… symmetrical.
But that’s part of its charm!
Each wonky angle and mismatched piece of wood tells a story.
It’s like a giant, dinosaur-shaped scrapbook of the community that came together to build it.
Now, you might be thinking, “Surely, this is the only giant wooden dinosaur in Post Mills, right?”
Well, hold onto your hats, folks, because there’s more!
In 2018, a new addition joined the Vermontasaurus family.
That’s right, there’s now a baby Vermontasaurus!
Because the only thing better than one giant wooden dinosaur is two giant wooden dinosaurs.
It’s like the old saying goes: “The family that builds improbable wooden structures together, stays together.”
Or something like that.
The baby Vermontasaurus, while smaller than its parent, is no less impressive.
It’s got all the charm and whimsy of the original, just in a more compact package.
Think of it as the fun-size version of Vermont’s favorite prehistoric wooden creature.
But the Vermontasaurus isn’t just about looking cool (although it definitely does that).
It’s become a symbol of community spirit and creativity in Post Mills.
Local schools have taken field trips to see it, artists have been inspired by it, and it’s even been the backdrop for more than a few wedding photos.
Because nothing says “till death do us part” quite like posing in front of a giant wooden dinosaur.
The site where Vermontasaurus stands isn’t just home to these wooden wonders.
It’s actually part of the Post Mills Airport, a charming little airfield that’s been around since the 1960s.
So, if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a small plane or even a hot air balloon taking off while you’re admiring the dinosaurs.
It’s like a mashup of “Jurassic Park” and “Up,” but with more maple syrup and fewer talking dogs.
Speaking of hot air balloons, did you know that Brian Boland, the mastermind behind Vermontasaurus, was also a renowned balloonist?
That’s right, the man who thought, “You know what this airport needs? A giant wooden dinosaur,” was also known for taking to the skies in colorful balloons.
Talk about a Renaissance man!
Boland’s Balloon Museum, located right there at the Post Mills Airport, is another attraction worth checking out while you’re in the area.
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It’s like a time capsule of lighter-than-air travel, filled with vintage balloons, memorabilia, and enough whimsy to make you seriously consider a career change to professional balloonist.
Just imagine floating over the Vermont countryside, looking down at the patchwork of farms and forests, with Vermontasaurus getting smaller and smaller below you.
Now that’s what I call a bird’s eye view!
But let’s get back to our wooden friend.
One of the coolest things about Vermontasaurus is how it changes with the seasons.
In the summer, it stands proud against a backdrop of lush green trees and blue skies.
In the fall, it’s surrounded by a riot of red, orange, and yellow leaves that make it look like it’s on fire (don’t worry, it’s not – that would be a whole different kind of attraction).
Winter brings a dusting of snow that turns Vermontasaurus into a prehistoric ice sculpture.
And in spring, as the world comes back to life, so too does our wooden friend seem to shake off the winter and stand a little taller.
It’s like a really big, really wooden mood ring for Vermont’s seasons.
Now, I know what you’re thinking.
“This all sounds great, but how do I actually get to see this marvel of modern dinosaur construction?”
Well, my friend, you’re in luck.
Post Mills is a small town in east-central Vermont, not far from the New Hampshire border.
It’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Boston, or 3 hours from Montreal if you’re coming from the north.
Just follow your GPS to the Post Mills Airport, and you can’t miss it.
Unless you’re actively trying to avoid seeing a 25-foot-tall wooden dinosaur, in which case… why?
When you arrive, you’ll find that Vermontasaurus is more than happy to pose for photos.
It’s got that “I woke up like this” natural beauty that most Instagram influencers can only dream of.
Just remember, no climbing on the dinosaur, no matter how tempting it might be.
We want Vermontasaurus to be around for future generations to enjoy, not turned into the world’s largest pile of toothpicks.
While you’re in the area, why not make a day of it?
Post Mills might be small, but it’s got that classic Vermont charm in spades.
Take a stroll down the quiet streets, breathe in that fresh mountain air, and maybe stop by a local cafe for a slice of pie and a cup of coffee.
Nothing complements a visit to a giant wooden dinosaur quite like a sugar rush and a caffeine buzz.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even time your visit to coincide with one of the hot air balloon festivals that sometimes take place at the airport.
Imagine Vermontasaurus surrounded by a sky full of colorful balloons.
It’s like a Dr. Seuss book come to life, but with fewer rhymes and more excited tourists.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “But is it really worth driving all that way just to see a big wooden dinosaur?”
And to that, I say: absolutely!
Because Vermontasaurus isn’t just a big wooden dinosaur.
It’s a testament to creativity, to thinking outside the box (way, way outside the box), and to the power of community.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best ideas are the ones that make absolutely no sense on paper but turn out to be magical in reality.
Plus, let’s be honest, how many chances do you get in life to stand next to a 25-foot-tall wooden dinosaur?
Not many, unless you’re secretly living in a very niche theme park.
So pack up the car, grab your sense of wonder, and head on over to Post Mills.
Vermontasaurus is waiting for you, standing tall and proud, ready to make your day a little weirder and a whole lot more wonderful.
Just remember to bring your camera, your sense of humor, and maybe a little snack.
Dinosaur-watching can work up quite an appetite, even if the dinosaur in question is made of wood and doesn’t actually move.
And who knows?
Maybe you’ll be inspired to go home and build your own backyard dinosaur.
So there you have it, folks.
Vermontasaurus: the attraction you never knew you needed to see, in a place you probably couldn’t find on a map without squinting really hard.
But trust me, it’s worth the trip.
Because in a world that sometimes feels a little too serious, a little too predictable, we need more giant wooden dinosaurs.
We need more Brian Bolands, dreaming up the impossible and then making it real with nothing but scrap wood and determination.
We need more Vermontasauruses, standing tall and proud, reminding us that life is short, art is long, and sometimes the best thing you can do is build a dinosaur.
So what are you waiting for?
Adventure awaits in Post Mills, Vermont.
And it’s shaped like a really, really big dinosaur.
Don’t forget to use this map to plan your dinosaur-hunting expedition!
Where: 104 Robinson Hill Rd, Post Mills, VT 0505
Life’s too short for ordinary road trips.
Make yours extraordinary with a visit to Vermontasaurus.
Your inner child (and your Instagram feed) will thank you.