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Trolls Greet the Wandering Tourist

© Jerri Brooker

The secret's out. Seattle Magazine's March 2000 issue covers the beauty of Troll Haven in rural Gardiner, Washington; it's now in print (I was saving my story for something special later on; they beat me to it - live and learn). So I bring you my version of this Gardiner surprise for the meandering traveler. I'm not certain it's the same neighborhood, but if you visit Pacific Northwest Gardening at Suite 101, you may see one of the troll family folks visiting with our own writer, Herbert Senft.

The magic of trolls glistens in the spring rains of Washington at what was once a pretty secret place, but is now a published location for all true troll adventurers to see. On Rondelay Road in rural Gardiner a surprise awaits you. Trolls. Lots of trolls. A great haven for the weary to enjoy, alias "eye candy alamode," when taking a small detour off Highway 101 North. This is not a tourist trap, it is not even an advertised tourist destination.

What is it?

A troll neighborhood created by a California native for Washingtonians to enjoy - dreamed up and created by Gary Bandy, owner of this 150-acre wonder. A place where trolls live, a place where dreams live and a magical place he created for his family to relive his Norway troll experience. His creation is our gift, too, as he has given us a magical place amidst his farmlands to view as we please, with no fees for the pleasure.

If you want to read up on some troll history so you understand where these trolls began, go to this site. You will learn the Norwegion history that makes these fellas so interesting and appealing. They've always intrigued me, now I know why.

Bandy has been pretty secretive about his Troll Haven Farm creation until now. The Seattle magazine calls Gary Bandy a private person. What he created on his farm is anything but private. Bandy says he created the wonder neighborhood to return the fruits of his life labors to others and also to share his experiences with his children, so he created a magic place where his love of Norse Mythology, woodwork and the outdoors shows in his offering of troll magic for the trail.

He hired woodcarvers and builders to create this place after a fishing trip to Norway. He brought the Norse architecture and stories to Washington in his mind, and set out building this wonder place. He says the trolls are looking for refuge from their Norway full of hardships.