Fargo, North Dakota

Most people when they hear Fargo think of the Joel and Ethan Coen 1996 Oscar-winning movie by that name.  And, most likely few people would even know there was such a place before that movie was made.  The movie made Fargo famous and I just had to go see one of the main characters of the movie – the Wood Chipper, who received no credit when the words went up at the end of the movie.

Here it is, the very same chipper that they used in the movie.

Okay, I have to admit, I was pretty giddy standing next to it taking pictures.  The few other people in the tourist center weren’t the least bit impressed.  One little boy asked his mother what it was and why a leg was sticking out of it?
“Oh it was something that was in a movie. Go over there and stand with your father.”

The only thing that would have made it perfect is if they hadn’t cleaned the fake blood from it.  But I suppose too many protective parents complained about it and some cleaning had to be done.

Outside they had a “stunt double” on display just in case a visitor stopped by to see the real deal and the visitor center was closed.  That was considerate of Fargo but if I hadn't been able to see the real wood chipper used in the film, there may have been tears.

If you have not see the movie, I recommend it.  Funny, well done, and truly depicts the character of people I have seen the last few days in this area of America.