Roger Nelson has created more than 30 ice sculptures – with the support of Mother Nature
MAIDEN ROCK, Wisconsin – When he bought his hunting land in the Rush River Valley in Pierce County, Wisconsin, Roger Nelson was drawn to the scenery.
“A little bit back to Mother Nature,” says Roger.
But it was only a matter of time before nature joined forces with Roger.
“It’s amazing,” says Barb Milburn as she walks around Roger’s property.
Barb and her husband Steve are dwarfed by nearly three dozen ice sculptures they have seen that are nearly 30 feet tall.
“I think maybe nature had a little help here,” says Barb.
And it turns out that the helper of nature knows water.
“Well, I’m a plumber,” says Roger. “So it was kind of natural.”
It really is the perfect marriage. The owner of Nelson Plumbing has just bought hunting land on top of an artesian well.
Roger opens the valve on an outer pipe, and without a pump, water flows at a rate of 1,000 gallons per minute from a depth of 650 feet.
A tiny ice sculpture accidentally created when Roger left a smaller pipe open has inspired more than 30 others – all connected by the plumber to his artesian well and quietly feeding his growing giants around the clock.
“It’s all from the pressure of this artesian well, 25 pounds of pressure all the time,” says Roger.
Each of the sculptures begins as a standing pipe – basically a flagpole – into which Roger drills holes.
Roger drills the holes and nature decides the shapes. “You never have a clue,” says Roger.
Impressive as they are in sunlight, Roger’s sculptures take on the aura of ice spirits at night when the lights he has installed light up.
Roger laid more than half a mile underground pipe to satisfy nature’s creative appetite.
Long-time friend David Deiss says Roger’s efforts don’t surprise him.
“I’m surprised that there aren’t any more of them,” says David. “All or nothing.”
After allowing nature to create the sculptures, Roger invites all comers to come and see them.
On busy days, a steady stream of cars arrives from early morning until well after dark.
“It feels like a fairy tale,” says one visitor while taking photos.
As long as the earth sends up the water, Roger will honor the gift.
“I love it when people come out and see them,” he says.
Editor’s Note: Roger’s Ice Sculptures are located on N2696 County Road A, Maiden Rock, WI. For further information, click here.
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