prairie dog town

As I drove through Theodore Roosevelt National Park I came across several flat areas inhabited by prairie dogs.  They had built quite a large town with many holes dug all over the grassy area.  The prairie dogs were having a good time running everywhere and some were just standing by their burrow and eating.  The prairie dogs were a lot of fun to watch as they scurried about.  I imagined one of them was the mayor of prairie dog town, too.  I just wanted to say that.  haha  

where the buffalo roam

Look at that buffalo!!  Roaming the prairie, munching the grass and living freely.  Not bad.

the Badlands

Driving west along I-94 in North Dakota brings a wide open stretch of prairie that offers a beauty in its simplicity.  But, seemingly out of nowhere in the far western part of the state the terrain changes dramatically.  Here lies the Badlands.  Originally it was called the bad lands by both the native settlers and the people moving west because the land was too harsh for living.  It was bad land.

It is also a very beautiful land filled with layers of ancient rock formations, free roaming buffalo and other wild animals and enough peace and solitude to refresh a wanderers sole.  It inspired a president to enact conservation measures to protect these and other natural beauties for us and our posterity.  Come see the wonders of the Badlands (they're not so bad) that inspired Teddy (and me).

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

This national park, which is operated by the National Park Service, is located in western North Dakota.   It holds the distinction of being the only park in the national park system that is named after an individual.  It stands today as a memorial to this great preservationist.  Before he was president Theodore Roosevelt came to the Dakota Territory to hunt, reflect and to ranch.  His time here helped form his conservationist and preservationist ideals that he carried into his presidency.  He established the U.S. Forestry Service and created national parks and forests as well as federal reserves and monuments totaling over 230 million acres of protected lands.  Enjoy your drive through this rugged land.  It's a beauty!

                                   Words to ponder.             Rightly said.              Thank you.

the wooden horse

This model of Theodore Roosevelt riding a horse was constructed entirely of wood. That is, the horse is made out of wood.  It is very finely handcrafted, shaped and polished.  It is on display at the south unit visitor center near Medora, North Dakota.

the Maltese Cross cabin

In 1883 Teddy Roosevelt came to the Dakota Territory to hunt bison.  In 1884, while grieving the loss of his wife and mother, he returned to this area and established his first ranch.  The cabin is a simple three room cabin.  The desk in the picture was used by Teddy Roosevelt when he stayed here.

heritage center in Moorhead

The Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center in Moorhead, Minnesota houses a replica Viking ship built to full scale based on ruins discovered in Norway.  Hjemkomst means Homecoming.  The ship was built in the 1970's and launched into Lake Superior in 1980.  The ship made its voyage to Norway landing in Bergen and then sailing on to Oslo.  It now has a permanent home here at the center.  Come and see the ship and all of the rest of the wonderful displays of Norwegian history and culture at the interpretive center on the banks of the Red River.

stave church

The Hopperstad stave church sits on the grounds of the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minnesota.  It was built in 1998 and is a reproduction and the namesake of the stave church in Norway.  Having seen both an original old stave church while traveling in Norway, it is exciting to see this hand built reproduction done with such accuracy.  Stave refers to the construction technique of building with vertical boards instead of the more commonly used horizontal placement of the boards.  And the carved dragons.....well, they're just perfect.

a sign?

This is actually the name of an antiques store in Livingston, Montana but it sort of feels like my life from time to time.  I have done a really good job of downsizing household goods.  Now.....about my car.     hmmmmm

Holbrook UMC

I went to church today in Livingston, Montana.  What a beautiful old church with a warm heart and a friendly congregation this is.  It is World Communion Sunday.  The communion was served.  The message was about friendship and making amends for the past.  I hope to pass this way again.

stung by a bee

I was stung by a bee two days ago.  I didn't even see it coming.  I brushed what I thought was a bug from my arm and realized there was a stinger laying on my skin.  It hurt.  I'm not allergic to bee stings.  I'm just fine.  But, my sting wound itches really badly.  I'm trying not to scratch.  Trying but not necessarily succeeding.  o-o-o-o-o

the LAKE

I love a small town theater.  I enjoyed a movie the other night at the Lake.  The refreshment counter is right inside the front door (drinks are in the vending machine outside) and the only auditorium is about two steps away.  I saw the last showing of the current movie and by the time the show ended, the marquee had already been changed.  The lit sign just sparkled in the night.  And then, in a blink of an eye, the light was gone, waiting to come alive for the next weekend show.

hug a teacher

If you ever run into one of your former teachers (especially your first grade teacher) be sure to say hello OR, better yet, give them a hug.  They made an impression on you because they were one of your first teachers and, believe it or not, they will remember you.  Maybe it was me or maybe it was because I was one of several children from a large family with a distinctive last name that attended the school but my teacher knew me even after all these years (decades) later.  And when we talked and I told here about things I remembered from her class, like the giant Dick, Jane and Sally books we read from in our reading groups, she was delighted.  She was only 27 when she first taught me and I looked up to her.  She was a good (great) teacher.  And, she got a hug.  We both did.

it's still there

On my way through Paynesville I stopped by the DQ for a chocolate dipped cone.  It's sort of a tradition for me.  As a child my family would stop by for a treat on our way to the cabin at Villard.  The DQ sits along highway 55 and it looks as if things haven't changed a bit here.  It's the same building.  Some things don't change and they don't need to either.  Love it!!  Oh, and the dipped cone...tasty as ever.  The curl on top?  I licked it off right away.     refreshing