---

You just never know what you might find ‘til you take a closer look. Rural Chisago County is full of hobby farms. Some are owned by newcomers who bought a few acres so they could get away from “the city” and keep a horse or two. Some are longtime residents who’ve been here forever and know all the area residents by their nicknames.

Dave and Joyce Nelson fit into the second category. From Furuby Road, the Nelson place looks a lot like the others in Shafer Township. Their home is set back about two blocks from the asphalt. As you pass between the gargoyles guarding the driveway and pass the pond and a few of Joyce’s numerous perennials, you’ll likely be greeted by two large, menacing canines.

The dark brown lab-mastiff mix would look big if she wasn’t dwarfed by the year-old, waist-high, 100 pound lab-pyrenees cross. Both are big enough to give anyone second thoughts about getting out of the car. But fortunately, like Dave, both are big and friendly. (I made the same mistake I usually do...I petted the big beasts and they became my constant companions until Nelson caged them for my own protection).

Safe from being mauled by the dogs, Holstein, a small, friendly, black and white cat appeared for her share of attention.

Joyce Nelson came home in time to lead a tour of the barn. The tour was highlighted by her peacocks, including Big Blue who loves to display his 12 foot fan for guests and a donkey who has “plenty to bray.”

Two huge touring motorcycles are parked in the garage. Dave shared the history of Joyce’s big Honda. They bought it in the Spring of 2005 on ebay. But, it was in Massachusetts. So they both climbed on Dave’s BMW road bike and headed for New England. “On the way, it was wet and cold and she never complained, once,” Dave commented.

However, the gleam in Dave’s eye grows as he starts talking about his latest creation. That creation is the reason this reporter went to the Nelson home in the first place.

“My son and I started going to BIR (Brainerd International Raceway) when he was only nine. That was 1989. The campground’s about 3/4 mile from the track. We walked for a while. The next few years we tried all different methods to get over to the racetrack,” Dave said.

Over the next 16 years, Nelson and his son walked, took bikes, rode motorcycles or drove a golfcart from The Zoo (campground) to the raceway. “I got the idea after seeing people ride ‘motorized everything’ from The Zoo to the raceway. I’ve seen motorized picnic tables, bar stools, grocery carts and even bathtubs. We love to go see what’s new. After the races, people just ride round and round ‘til the cops shut it down about midnight.”

After thinking about it for about 10 years, Nelson started working on his project eight years ago. “It started as a ‘72 Craftsman lawn tractor. I bought it used for my wife and used it about 15 years before we parked it out in the weeds behind the garage.”

Neighbor Matt Swenson gets a lot of credit for helping. “I’m not a metalworker. I work mostly with wood. But, he can weld almost anything,” Nelson continued. Son Erik, who’s now 26, put the bright blue paint on the machine.

“Two motors and three transmissions later, we finally have it running. The only original parts are the front axle and the chassis. The tunnel (hood) alone weighs 40 pounds. We took extra tools and parts, spare wheels and even a welder when we went up to BIR. We didn’t want to go all the way up there and not be able to use it. BIR requires lights now, so we had to put lights on it this spring,” Nelson explained.

The go kart has occupied a lot of Dave’s spare time over the years. “Twenty years in the planning and eight years in production,” said the rural mail carrier. “Joyce has put up with me playing with this thing all summer. But, now my honeydo list is a lot longer. We put a purple string of lights on the cowl this summer and I have a wing (spoiler) and some other improvements planned for next year.”

Besides cruising around at BIR, Grandpa’s Go Kart doesn’t get used much except when Nelson delivers corn to his neighbors. Top end is about 13-15 mph on for the 10 foot-long dragster wannabe. “It just fits into the pickup with the tailgate down. The toughest part is keeping the grandkids off it, especially the 14 year old boy.”

Nelson’s interest in unusual motorized vehicles goes way back. In the 60’s, his dad, Marvin made a homemade snowmobile for his kids. Dave said, “He started with barrel staves and used whatever he had layin’ around.”

If you see a big guy driving around on a bright blue dragster, take a good look and give Dave a big thumbs-up.

---