recycled spirits of iron, sculpture

We thoroughly enjoy stopping at Recycled Spirits of Iron because the artistic designs are enthralling. This is one of the stops we make whenever we have out-of-town guests because you will never see anything like this anywhere else.

Beauty is in the eye of beholder. You know it when someone like me or others like me think this place is magnificent and others think "not for me".I stayed in Ashford 4 nights with my itinerary like many others - to see Mt Rainier and Mt Saint Helens and those places take all day so when you get back it is usually late or at least dinner time. This place closes at 5:00 pm and they might have a night or two where they stay open later. I do know she stayed open for me later than normal. I arrived around 4:30 purposely cutting my day short to make it back here. I left around 5:30 pm all the while asking her if she needed to close up and she said no.I gave a donation and made some purchases inside for her kindness of staying open. The donation is not a requirement but he has a very funny sign dealing with politics and if you like my work and such .... $5. As for the gift shop inside - all hand made - she only accepts CASH or CHECK. No Credit. They also had a wonderful horse hanging on the wall and I asked if she shipped and she said no things get broken too easily on something like that and she is right. I don't think Ashford has a UPS but Montrose or Packwood - both 30 minutes away might.I took so many pictures it had to be as many as I took hiking on any given day. This guy's mind thinks outside the box. I truly wish he was close by me because I would visit very often.As you drive by, remember he has a lot more stuff on the sides and in the huge backyard.For some reason, I just can't believe the tiny town of Ashford is so lucky to have this business. I have told numerous people back home of this place.

I love what this guy has done with scrap metal.. It is extremely artistic, and he has a fabulous imagination. And he is always adding to it! Stop and take a look! and if you can afford it, buy one!

This place is unbelievable...the sculptures are awesome. We weren't going to stop and then decided to pull in as we had extra time and so glad we did. The sculptures were put together with all sorts of stuff.....sewing machines, jacks, wheels, etc., just amazing. I couldn't stop taking pictures! Something free, just give a donation, wonderful visit.

It was a wonderful stop before heading to the west entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. I am impressed by the skill with which Dan Klennert has recycled scrap metal and other materials into stunning large works. Some are more conventional (such as horses), some a touch macabre (cowboy skeleton) and some quite humourous (an outhouse with the urinal on the outside). The Klennerts have a shop where one can buy smaller pieces by various artists. There are prices to fit every budget.I left a donation out of respect for his decades of work and admiration of this outdoor museum. Dan Klennert told me that professional photographers have used his work to make postcards and posters without giving him credit, let alone payment. Not cool. However, Dan Klennert has no objections to visitors taking pictures to post on Facebook or Tripadvisor. :)

Incredible lifelike sculptures out of junk. This guys use of scrap iron to form his figures is nothing short of genius.

Really creative place to walk around outdoors. Very cool animals (and other creations) made out of recycled materials and drift wood from the Nisqually River. Fun place to take photos.

We passed by this sculpture park and it looked interesting, so we turned around to check it out. The grounds and sculptures were amazing, I would highly recommend stopping to check out this sight if you are in the area. Recommended small donation for the sculpture park.

I loved my morning walking amongst the sculptures. It is amazing to see what the artist has created and the setting is charming. I would recommend everyone stop and enjoy this exhibit. There is also a gift shop with interesting items, some handmade.

Daniel Klennert is the extremely creative visionary whose stunningly evocative pieces of art caused us to u-turn our van on the way to Mount Rainier. We passed them on the road and had to stop in for what was going to be a short visit. We spent well over a hour touring his expansive gardens and photographing the clever, whimsical and deep sculptures. I had my dear 8.5 pound pooch with me, Shayna, and he was very gentle and friendly with her. Because she is small she has a tendency to be a little skittish. She like him a lot. Of course he also smells like deer and elk antlers and honest sweat. He uses natural resources and also recycles a myriad of metal and other materials to create fantasy and depictions of natural phenomena as well as abstract subject matter. Nice little gift shop and toilets too. Lovely summer day visit and a great place to stretch your limbs and brain cells too. Small entrance fee which also affords a laugh.

This was an amazing place full of such exceptional artwork. We spent over an hour walking through the grounds and taking pictures...(-: Wish we could have purchased one of his pieces!!!

This was a fun visit.....large property full of iron sculptures made out of iron odds and ends. Amazing to see the creativity of the artist. No entrance fee, but donation requested, which is worthy. Was a fun way to fill the evening hours.

Walking about the sculpture park is just like entering the sculptor imagination. The images are both realistic and haunting.We stopped coming back from Mt Ranier, and we were not disappointed. Also meeting Dan was a pleasure for all of us he was so interesting to listen to and to see his feelings for his works.DO NOT JUST DRIVE BY _ STOP AND EXPLORE!

It was a bit of a quick stop for us and we looked around to see the place. Some of the sculptures were really good and does deserve a good look in. If you do visit the Mt. Rainier area, try to catch the iron sculptures as well.

We went in Oct 2012. The place was super cool and very interesting but the owners were very standoff-ish. Maybe this is because they have tons of visitors walking on their property but it seems that is the whole purpose of their exhibit. Maybe we just caught them on an off day. Worth stopping by if you are in the Ashford area. Not worth driving miles and miles to see.