search of the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan. The interpretive center is an impressive log structure with many artifacts, and a history of the Clark Family, as well as artwork. The Corp of Discovery constructed Fort Mandan as a winter home during their stay here in 1804-05. Built entirely of cottonwood trees, seven rooms housed the men of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It was interesting to see the rooms, the buffalo blankets, fireplaces and clothing. (I didn’t realize they had uniforms to wear, but they were military.) Our home for tonight was Sakakawea State [View Full Entry]

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Well, here's the biggest buffalo one can see in the world, I guess. Located at the National Buffalo Museum/Frontier Village in Jamestown, ND. The "artifical" buffalo is 26 feet high and 46 feet long. It is a 60 ton concrete monument and was dedicated in 1959. Overlooks the city of Jamestown and its prairie hills. There's also a live buffalo herd in residence roaming throughout the hills which also includes a rare white albino buffalo called "White Cloud". I always enjoy seeing these creatures who still look like they probably did centuries ago. Much, much bigger in person. You wouldn't wan [View Full Entry]

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I'm still out and about trying out my new camera and its killer lens. Passed through Valley City on my way to Fort Ransom. Decided to check out some of the things Valley City had to offer. Valley City is home to a number of different styles of bridges because of the Sheyenne River weaving through the City. I stopped first at the Valley City footbridge which is a wonderful bridge built in 1901 to connect Valley City State University to the other side of the River. According to the Visitor's Site, the Bridge "is a three-span, 150 foot long suspension [View Full Entry]

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After leaving Valley City, I took the Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway south. Very, very pretty drive of the rolling hills throughout the valley and trees. So green this early in summer. Some of the road is paved but a good portion of the south end is gravel. I stopped at Fort Ransom to see the Historic Site and State Park. I did a short nature walk in the Park which was so incredibly peaceful! So very quiet with a small creek running through most of it and the Sheyenne on the sides. In visiting with the Park attendant, I found [View Full Entry]

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Not sure if other states have the same number of oversized animals that North Dakota does. I've never stopped to get a close look at "Sandy" the Sandhill Crane located near Interstate 94 in Steele, ND so as I was driving around looking for things to photograph with my new camera, I decided to take a closer look. Here are some pictures. The crane was apparently erected because of the number of lakes located in Kidder County which have a number of cranes in residence at certain times of the year. Anyway...I can now cross off another crazy animal off my [View Full Entry]

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I've always been meaning to drive down the so-called Enchanted Highway. Had the chance today, but with failing light I was only able to view a couple of the sculptures. The Highway is located between Interstate 94 and Regent, ND. According to its web site (http://www.enchantedhighway.net/), it contains the "world's largest metal sculptures". There have been 6 created to date with more apparently on the way. I was able to get photos of 2 before I ran out of sunlight. Below is some info from information stands at the sculptures and on the web. The deer is made from some rusty [View Full Entry]

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As a North Dakotan, I love exploring my state when I get the chance. Went off to test a new camera lens and trekked up to the Killdeer Mountains since I had never been there before. I must admit, I really appreciate North Dakota giving the "mountain" thing the effort but they really aren't mountains. More like bluffs or oversized hills. Still very, very pretty, but not mountains. Took the gravel trail that circles the mountains and got good views of all sides including some deer. Very pretty when green like it is this time of year. Very quiet and peaceful [View Full Entry]

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Needed to go try out my new camera so went out exploring! Decided to head up to Garrison Dam since I had never actually seen the Dam before. I've been to Lake Sakakawea before but never Garrison Dam. Lake Sakakawea is one of the largest man-made lakes in the US. According to the Lake Sakakawea State Park site, it's about 368,000 acres and is 178 miles long. The Lake or resevoir happened when Garrison Dam was completed in the 1950s. The Lake and Park are named after the Native American woman who was the guide of Lewis & Clark. Lewis & [View Full Entry]

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Here are just a few quick pictures of a small section of Routes 1804 & 1806 which make up the Lewis & Clark trails through North Dakota. Some pictures I took today...need to get some pictures sometime of the trails further north near Williston which is really, really pretty. [View Full Entry]

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Had the chance today to tour both the North and South Units of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park located in western North Dakota. North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a true hidden gem that doesn't get the notice that its more popular cousin "Badlands National Park" in South Dakota gets. Having seen the each state's version of the Badlands, they are quite distinct from each other. Where South Dakota's Badlands have vivid oranges, beiges and pinks and a more arid look to them, North Dakota's are much greener with pinks, beiges and even some blue hues to them. North Dakota [View Full Entry]

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