Seven Wonders of North Dakota

I'm actually sad that Nathan's stint in North Dakota is over. I had a lot of fun while I was there. Maybe it was the fact that I got to pack up and get out of Rochester every few weeks, or discover a whole different way of life - just two states away, or maybe it was just being able to see my husband at least once a month. I don't know what it is about North Dakota, but I loved it. It's probably because I love doing new things and despite its reputation thanks to National Geographic of being the "empty prairie", I never went up there once and didn't find something exciting and new. I definitely hope to get back there someday.

You, on the other hand, might not be convinced of North Dakota's worth. Well, you're in luck! I've comprised the definitive list of the Seven Wonders of North Dakota, that you, yes, YOU can view just by driving down I-94. Read on and I'm sure North Dakota will Steele your heart. And that's no bull.

#7 The World's Largest Sandhill Crane
Located in Steele, ND, the World's Largest Sandhill Crane is visible from I-94 - a proud tribute to the only species of crane that isn't very close to extinction. Surrounding the colossal bird is the Jim Miller Memorial Garden (lucky guy), a donation box, a very questionable bar, a sign that says "Not Responsible for Accidents", and a registry. Yes! If you stop there, not only can you not sue the...uh....crane...for any problems you may have, you should also check for my name in the registry notebook - I really did sign the Crane registry on 6/1/08. My name will probably be located about three people above where you sign it.


#6 - Salem Sue
Salem Sue is a pretty famous cow. She is in fact, the world's largest Holstein. I didn't get close enough to see the giant veins on her fiberglass utters, but just check out this picture and I'm sure you can imagine them.


#5 - The Enchanted Highway
Stretching from Exit 72 (I-94) to the town of Regent 32 miles South is the Enchanted Highway. Artist Gary Greff, brilliant guy really, decided that the only way to get people to his home town of Regent, ND was to lure them there with several gigantic metal sculptures. I never got to drive the whole thing, but his I-94 sculpture, Geese In Flight is my favorite man-made thing in all of my road-trip history. Check out his website to view the other sculptures: Enchanted Highway


#4 - World's Largest Buffalo
Do you see a pattern yet? This bison is in Jamestown, ND. Nathan knew someone from there, who told him that their senior prank involved a pick-up truck full of manure and this bison statue.


#3 - White Cloud & Her Calf
White Cloud is an albino buffalo, who just had an albino calf. She's the main attraction at Jamestown's Frontier Village, where #4 is also located. I've only seen her from I-94 as even pigment-less bison need to hide from the sun on a hot day. This picture is from the National Buffalo Museum website:


#2 - Medora Musical
Luckily we got free tickets to see this on opening night, otherwise Nathan wouldn't have let me pay $30 for each ticket. Despite the rave reviews from past audience members, it was extremely fun(ny)! Best line: City Slicker: "I'm from the big city." Country Bumpkin: "Oooh, New York?" City Slicker: "No, Bismarck." Best Act: The Cloggers!! Is there something for everyone? Of course, if everyone likes either fiddle music, boots, questionable singing and dancing skills, Teddy Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt getting half his volunteer army killed in Cuba, pyrotechnics, good, old-fashioned Lutheran old lady comedy, someone reminding you that Medora is 125 years old over and over and over again and/or a fascinating plot involving the inevitable displacement of a city slicker into Medora. But who am I to judge, I wish I were back in Medora too.


#1 - Teddy Roosevelt National Park
Where everything else in this note is an ingenious (and sometimes gaudy) way to try to attract more people to the state using artificial means, Teddy Roosevelt National Park is the real deal. It's beautifully rugged and I've never gone inside the park and not seen at least one bison. I understand why Teddy Roosevelt said he would not have been president if it weren't for the time he spent in North Dakota's badlands. I can't explain it, but just like after my first trip to Glacier, I want to make sure everything in Teddy Roosevelt is preserved just the way it is for a very, very long time.