Seven Reasons Why to Visit North Dakota
Seven Reasons Why to Visit North Dakota
May 14, 2010 by Taylor Studios
We just got back from visiting our North Dakota clients. We are currently working on two projects in ND. One is at Fort Totten, near Devils Lake, and the other is at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn. We have worked in North Dakota several times. However, I haven’t had a chance to go there for many years. The last time I was there I visited Ft. Abe Lincoln, the Lewis and Clark Center and Cross Ranch State Park. I appreciate the opportunity to work in this state for many reasons.
1. **Lewis and Clark slept here.**
How cool is that? They actually stayed here longer than anywhere. They built Fort Mandan and stayed for the winter. Elise and I toured the replica fort. It is an impressive replica. We had the pleasure of having an interpretator show us around. They lived in close quarters that winter.
2. **Fort Totten is amazing, plus you can sleep in a historic Inn.**
Sixteen of the original 1870 fort buildings still exist at this site. Being here transports you to another time and place. I woke up and walked around the fort at 6:00 a.m. I really felt like I went back in time. It is a wonderful place to experience history.
3. **The landscape is beautiful.**
Driving through scenic North Dakota is a wonderful experience. The rolling hills and farmland are beautiful. We were surprised at how few houses there are. Given the lack of buildings, it is easy to imagine the landscape over a hundred years ago with 1,000s of bison roaming the hills. North Dakota was our serrengetti at one time, with many variety of animals covering the grasslands.
4. **It is the friendliest state in the Nation.**
The people of North Dakota are great. Everyone is friendly and helpful. According to a Cambridge University study it is the friendliest state in the U.S.
5. **North Dakota had Dinosaurs!**
6. **There is great art in North Dakota.**
We loved the outdoor sculptures we saw. In front of the Heritage Center in Bismark there is a life-size Bison made out of rebar. Wow! At the Fort Mandan there is a metal sculpture of Seaman, Lewis and Clark’s dog. There are beautiful sculptures everywhere. Plus, I got to see the water colors of Karl Bodmer. Bodmer’s watercolors and Maximilian’s written descriptions are considered the most complete and reliable eyewitness account of the Upper Midwest Indian cultures.
7. **North Dakota has giant Cottonwood trees.**
These are just a few reasons to visit North Dakota. There are many others, like their state drink is milk. Have you ever been to North Dakota? What is your favorite thing about the state?