Radium Hot Springs, informally and commonly called Radium,
is a village of 1,339 residents in the East Kootenay region of British
Columbia. The village is named for the hot springs in the nearby Kootenay
National Park. From Banff, Alberta, it is accessible via Highway 93. |
On entering Radium Hot Springs from Kootenay
National Park, the two RV Gypsies immediately noticed a number of life-sized
wood carvings on the roadside. The house was located across the street
from the restaurant the two RV Gypsies mentioned on the previous page
of this website. Plus it was the studio of local artist Rolf Heer who
spent years carving from stumps, driftwood or any other kind of unique
wood found in the area. He will always be Radium's most colorful resident
and artist, Rolf Heer.
The house shown below was located across
the street from the restaurant shown on the previous page of this website. |
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Because
the outside of this house was so amazing, The two RV Gypsies paid mere
$3 a person to go INSIDE the house. Although once inside, it still looked
like they were outside. |
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Below: In Rolf's Art Shop the two RV Gypsies saw hundreds of carvings, from
gigantic Chainsaw Sculptures, arrays of clocks to the Abstract, and every
piece was completely unique. Lee and Karen Duquette were totally amazed
at the spectacular array of carvings, from the smallest to the largest,
each with their own distinct character. Rolf's woodcarving has been seen
by people around the world and he was featured on the popular TV series
"Weird Homes". You would have to see it for yourself in order
to fully enjoy this unique experience... It was Worth the Trip! |
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Below The two RV Gypsies
had fun "getting behind the wonderful carvings"
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| Below: Many doors
were quite intriguing - so Lee Duquette followed the written directions.
Lee Duquette got a big surprise every time he opened a door. A video is
posted and can be seen by clicking here,
then choosing the Red Letter U. But first, please
continue on down to see the photos. |
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Below: Lee and Karen Duquette were amazed
at the spectacular array of carvings, from the smallest to the largest.
They all had their own distinct character. Rolf Heer's woodcarving has
been seen by people around the world and he was featured on the popular
TV series "Weird Homes" and on "The Travel Channel."
The two RV Gypsies do NOT call his house weird, they call it
amazingly unique and so worth experiencing. |
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About the woodcarver: Rolf's
eccentric appearance may fool many into believing he is something he is
not. He is a mountain man with a love for nature and art. Many of his
sculptures are done by a unique carving tool - the Chainsaw! Rolf's pet
goats live on the roof of his house and Craft Shop. Complete with all
the amenities, their own "goat chalet", a green meadow, everything a goat's
heart could desire. Rolf's roof provides it all. He is well known for
his chainsaw sculptures and for his unique looks and style of dress. Rolf's
eccentric appearance may fool many into believing he is something he is
not. He is a mountain man with a love for nature and art.
Many of his sculptures are done by a unique carving tool - the Chainsaw!
Rolf's pet goats live on the roof of his house and Craft Shop (Although
parts of the house did not even have a roof).. Complete with all the amenities,
the goats have their own goat chalet, a green meadow, and everything
a goat's heart desires, Rolf’s roof provides it all.
He lives and does much of his artwork in Radium where he is as well
known for his chainsaw sculptures as he is for his unique multicolored
hair and style of dress. |
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Rolf has often traveled during the winter months to such
places as South America, Asia, Central America and of course Europe where
in Austria he also did his woodcarving. |
 Rolf
Heer, the woodcarver who built and resided in Radium's iconic Home of
a Thousand Faces until it was destroyed by fire in November 2018. Sadly
Rolf died Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at age 66. Close friends were able to
spend time with Heer during his last days.
But while Heer, and his home, may be gone, his legacy will live on in
a public park and a local celebration. Heer was already suffering from
terminal cancer when his home was destroyed in the November 2018 fire.
The house, located at the busy intersection of Highways
93 and 95, was a landmark in the B.C. mountain village and represented
Heer's work for more than 40 years.
The towering wooden structure jutted out of the earth like
a marooned ship, and was covered with faces, each one hand carved by Heer.
There are Community plans to build a public park where his home once stood,
in his memory with the help of a GoFundMe page.
Lee and Karen
Duquette feel very blessed that they not only got to explore his unique
house and but they also got to meet Rolf Heer, the man
that lived here and did all these fabulous carvings. He had such a talent
and a great sense of humor. Karen Duquette actually had her photo
taken with him, as shown below. The photo is blurry, but Karen will always
treasure it and the memory of Rolf Heer and his amazing house.
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| Below - Although the picture of
Karen Duquette and Mr. Heer did not come out very well, it was still worthy
of being posted because it was an honor to meet him. Rolf Heer did all the
fabulous carvings shown above and more. He has such a talent and a great
sense of humor. |
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