Albany is a cute old little town, with a neat looking downtown area of old and reconstructed buildings, all laid out in a grid on the Willamette River. We aren’t too sure what to do in town, except we did stumble upon mention of an Historic Carousel museum. So we head there.
What we find is not what we expected! We were expecting a museum where we would learn about carousels, etc. But the museum is actually a working Capital Project, where volunteers donate their time to build a carousel. Seriously build it – as in hand-carve and hand paint wooden animals, chariots and alternates. It is amazing.
Founded in 2004, the goal is to build a carousel with 52 animals operated by an antique 1909 Dentzel Carousel Corporation Mechanism in downtown Albany to draw visitors from around the world. Gustav Dentzel was a famous carousel maker in Europe, and brought the first carousels to America. The museum actually has the world’s largest collection of original Detnzel carousel pieces (including one scary bunny carousel animal that I refuse to take pictures of, much less sit on). The Albany carousel will be created following the tradition and craftsmanship of the Dentzel family.
Anon-profit charity has been created to support the project, and they have already raised $5.1M toward their goal. The museum is free, and wide open to virtually all areas except the painting area, so we wander freely – looking at all the animals in progress and the drawings from which the carvers are working.
The detail is incredible. We could stay here for hours just gazing at the work. We do end up staying for a while, because we get into a conversation with one of the carvers who has been working on the project for a few years now. He is so sweet, and kind, and talented! Then we get into another conversation with one of the volunteers in the gift store who tells us all about the founder, and the woman who started the whole project – as well as regaling us with stories about mishaps and wood delivery – and just great background and history.
We continue our tour by looking at the miniature mock up of the finished carousel…
..and then out into the paint area, where they detail the animals and then deliver them to a body shop here how puts the final lacquer finish on the pieces.
The detail and the whimsical nature of the animals and the carousel itself as breathtaking – what a great diversion to stumble upon!
After the Carousel Museum, we wander around the shore of Willamette river for a bit, watching the ducks…
…then head back to the car to continue our trek up I-5.
Salem isn’t all that far away, just about 1/2 hour so we make it to the hotel in no time. After a little rest, relaxation and gym time – we head out to dinner at The Shack. We have a restaurant.com coupon so we figure, why not? And why not indeed. This is a great hangout spot – total dive with pool tables and outside garden for smokers. Great atmosphere! And the food….they have a steak for $16 that you can’t beat – it is huge with salad, veggies and fries. We both opt for the steak since we have the coupon – and end up – yes, you know what I’m going to say – taking it with us for lunch tomorrow. Too good – and too fun. Oh, and way too local for me to take any pictures. 
Back to the hotel, we prepare for the Columbia River Gorge tomorrow.
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