Trolls have a nasty habit of skulking around in dark places such as caves or the underbelly of bridges. Rumours of troll sightings have been floating around the Fremont neighbourhood of Seattle since the Aurora Bridge first went up in 1932, but it wasn’t until 1990 that a troll showed up under the bridge for all to see. Conveniently located on Troll Avenue North …
…the Fremont Troll is a popular spot for tourists to have their photo taken, standing atop one of his giant hands or peeping through his one good eye. The Troll provides a theatrical venue for Shakespeare at the Troll in the summertime, and an altogether spookier affair, Troll-a-ween, in October.
Easily overlooked, however, are three very sneaky Billy Goats Gruff, stealthily evading the hungry troll by scuttling through shrubbery a block down the hill.
What clever little goats.
xxx Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
Very cute!
Hee hee, thanks TRS, I just love those goats, they may be a little rusty but they certainly have their wits about them. 😉
I have really got to find that troll (and the goats) next time I’m in Seattle. Our relatives there never told us about it. While in Norway last year, we saw trolls everywhere, from giant sized ones you could pose with, to pint-sized ones you buy at the souvenir store. Apparently the Norwegians really like their trolls.
The troll is pretty easy to find, Jennifer, so look for him the next time you’re in town. The goats are a little more elusive. 🙂
Love it…
How fabulous! I want to go to Seattle now just for that 😀
Oh Bev, it’s such a great city, and this is just one of the many reasons to come visit! 🙂
whimsical fun!
Fremont is full of whimsy, it’s one of my favourite neighbourhoods to wander around in with my camera, there’s so much to discover there. xxx
All goats are good goats… all trolls are?? 😉
Aww, poor trolls, they get such a bad rap, I’m sure there are good trolls out there somewhere 🙂
Under the Samuel Beckett Bridge?? 😉
Waiting for Godot 😉
Love the billy goats.
Me too, Mrs C, they look so cheeky peeping out of the shrubbery 🙂
Thought trolls were only found in Norway, and on the Internet! Thanks for correcting me! 😀
Haha, I prefer this troll to internet trolls any day, travelrat 🙂
Love it!!
🙂
Clever little goats indeed Ailsa! I wonder if a witch turned the nasty troll into stone. 😉
Great shots and post hon. 😀 *hugs*
I’ve heard a rumour that the troll was turned to stone when it accidentally encountered sunlight – I’m not sure if that’s true, though, there’s not that much sunshine in Seattle most of the year 😉
Then it must have been a witch..hehehehe
Wonderfully clever post Ailsa. Isn’t it amazing how many of us know and loved that silly story!! The sand troll is fantastic!
Glad you enjoyed it, Tina, I loved the Billy Goats Gruff when I was a little one! 🙂
Awsome! I will put that on my to see list if I ever get to Seattle! Thanks for sharing.
Yaay, it definitely belongs on your list of Seattle highlights, Darla xxx
🙂
I definitely will visit when I am in Seattle next time. Great photos!
And get your photo taken standing on his hand, Amy – but be careful, I hear that the spell that turned him to stone could be lifted at any time, so be prepared to run for cover if he starts to move! 😉
I lived in Fremont just before moving here to Portland— still one of my favorite spots in Seattle! I kind of miss that troll…
I know what you mean, he kind of grows on you, doesn’t he? 🙂
I like it. That billy goat gruff coming out of bushes is not so little, but then compared to real troll I suppose he is.
Yes, by comparison they’re pretty tiny, Chris, and awfully cute 🙂
Whenever I see a troll I want to help it become a nice troll 😉
Aww, that’s adorable! Troll rehab. 🙂
Clever and humorous!
Thanks Marilyn, glad you enjoyed my little walk down fairy tale lane. xxx
Such whimsy!
“Shakespeare at the Troll” “Troll-a-ween” and sneaky goats. Thanks for the giggles!
Hurray, glad I could bring a giggle to your day, phil. xxx Ailsa
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Seattle, but nothing as great as this. I love the goats, and climbing on the troll and peering through his one good eye sounds like tons of fun…even for adults; a chance to be young! You have helped me put it on my bucket list. (Maybe I will make it to the west coast when I go back to visit family in NYS) in January).
It’s one of my favourite US cities, Taste of Brazil, there’s always something quirky and fun to do, I hope you get to visit soon! xxx Ailsa
Me too!
I’ve been by the troll tons of times, but HOW DID I MISS THE GOATS??!!!
They’re skilled at subterfuge, Megan 😉
Very cute! Somebody certainly has a great sense of humor. Love the clever little goats!
Fabulous – urban art is so much more accessible in climates where it doesn’t snow 4 feet in winter!