Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown
I can tell you as a native North Dakotan that there aren't a lot of ways to sugarcoat it. A drive through the state of North Dakota can be pretty boring. The nice thing is that we let you drive faster than most places, and you won't be fighting any traffic, so even though it may seem like a lifetime, it won't actually be that long.
That said, a couple of tips.
First, I'd go in late July, even though it can be pretty hot, dry and windy. North Dakota when the flax fields (bright purple) and canola fields (bright yellow) are in bloom is actually very beautiful.
Second, the trip into the Teddy Roosevelt national park from the east can startle you. You'll be driving for miles across dry, rolling hills without a tree in sight. Suddenly it's like you emerged into terrain that combines southern Utah with the painted deserts of Arizona.
If you're trying to knock off Iowa, Nebraska and ND in one trip, and you're coming from the east, here is how I'd do it.
I'd take Interstate 80 into and through Iowa. You'll hit Iowa City where the U of Iowa is located, as well as Des Moines, the capitol. You can take little side trips to see quirky attractions in the state, like the Bob Feller museum in Van Meter.
I-80 will take you into Omaha. At that point you'll have a choice.
I'd either head north along the Missouri river and follow that all the way up to Bismarck, ND, or head west into Nebraska to get more of a flavor for that state.
Assuming you do the latter, I'd turn north at either Grand Island, NE or North Platte, NE. You'll get a real good look at the sandhills of Nebraska, and you'll pass through some Indian reservations that will be eye opening. Eventually I'd shoot for the Missouri river in northern South Dakota, and follow that up to Bismarck/Mandan in North Dakota. It'll take you past Fort Lincoln, where Custer was headquartered before he headed west.
Once you get to Bismarck, head west on the interstate until you get to Medora in the Teddy Roosevelt park.
Originally posted by FlagDUDE08
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That said, a couple of tips.
First, I'd go in late July, even though it can be pretty hot, dry and windy. North Dakota when the flax fields (bright purple) and canola fields (bright yellow) are in bloom is actually very beautiful.
Second, the trip into the Teddy Roosevelt national park from the east can startle you. You'll be driving for miles across dry, rolling hills without a tree in sight. Suddenly it's like you emerged into terrain that combines southern Utah with the painted deserts of Arizona.
If you're trying to knock off Iowa, Nebraska and ND in one trip, and you're coming from the east, here is how I'd do it.
I'd take Interstate 80 into and through Iowa. You'll hit Iowa City where the U of Iowa is located, as well as Des Moines, the capitol. You can take little side trips to see quirky attractions in the state, like the Bob Feller museum in Van Meter.
I-80 will take you into Omaha. At that point you'll have a choice.
I'd either head north along the Missouri river and follow that all the way up to Bismarck, ND, or head west into Nebraska to get more of a flavor for that state.
Assuming you do the latter, I'd turn north at either Grand Island, NE or North Platte, NE. You'll get a real good look at the sandhills of Nebraska, and you'll pass through some Indian reservations that will be eye opening. Eventually I'd shoot for the Missouri river in northern South Dakota, and follow that up to Bismarck/Mandan in North Dakota. It'll take you past Fort Lincoln, where Custer was headquartered before he headed west.
Once you get to Bismarck, head west on the interstate until you get to Medora in the Teddy Roosevelt park.
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