Monday, June 20, 2022

Temperature 79 Degrees, Rain and Thunder Storms

Travel Day

The time had come for us to leave the wilds of the far north and return to civilization. Our time here with friends will be remembered for a long time to come. We hated to part but we both had miles to go and lots of places yet to see.

We were up early and made ready to go. The plan was to leave together at around 9 am. Well, we were ready and just waiting for Isaac to return from emptying his tanks. That’s when I heard a yell, a scream, that sent me running. I had no idea what had happened. It didn’t take long to find out what caused such a primordial scream. Isaac had failed to turn wide enough coming out of his site and had driven straight into a swamp. The back of his rig was down to the axle in the muck and mud. Nope, it was going absolutely nowhere.

Thankfully, he had roadside assistance. But would they come this far? He placed a phone call and to make a long story short they would be willing to dispatch a wrecker. That was the good news. The bad news was that it would take them about 2 hours, maybe more, to get there.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t wait around for it to arrive. He also didn’t want us to wait. He said he would be OK, he’d just sit back, relax and wait. So at 10 am we started out for our next stop. With hugs and waves we said our goodbyes and we were on our way. We were headed back to Minnesota. A bit after noon time he called to tell us that the rig was free and they were finally on their way toward their next stop.

Today’s ride was an easy 4 hours with a fuel stop. The road was good, traffic was light and we only encountered some light rain along the way. Our route was a straight shot east on Route 2 from North Dakota to Minnesota.

Compared to some states we’ve entered and the signs that welcome you this one makes you wonder if they really want you in their state! Come on now folks, a little bit of a bigger sign, some color and it would be a whole lot better of a welcome to your fine state of Minnesota.

The directions to this campground per their web site were a bit strange. They wanted you to take the first exit after the bridge, then go a couple of blocks and turn into the mall parking lot, then follow the avenue of flags. Sounded interesting.

The directions were spot on. In a matter of minutes after following their instructions we were at the campground registration office.

We’re at Sherlock Campground which is part of Red River State Recreation Area.

Our new home for the next two nights. This is a really nice campground. The roads are all paved, wide and in excellent condition. The campground looks well maintained and has lots of green grass everywhere. Our site is a pull-through with a gravel base. It was level front to back but not side to side but the jacks quickly took care of that issue. The site spacing is fantastic with sites really separated from one another. What a pleasing change from where we had just come from. And the best part, no mosquitoes!

When we arrived the sun was out but the weather report said that that was about to change. I quickly got us set up and then went in for some supper. That was it, the heavens opened up. But hey, who cares we’re inside enjoying a great meal. But now, its 9 pm and the sun is again shining bright. What a weird day in terms of the weather.

Some more good news. I received a phone call from Isaac letting me know he had also arrived at this next stop without further incident. Plus, there appeared to be no damage to the rig from its mishap in the swamp. I breathed a big sigh of relief.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Temperature 90 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine, Clear Sky, No Wind

Foursome – Isaac, Shelia, Barbara, Myself -Sightseeing

What attractions we wondered could there be in this region to see? Could it be that the Gardens were the main and only attraction? Well, we turned to the executive secretary and trip wizard in the Republic of Newmar – meaning Ms. Barbara to answer that question. The following is the result of her internet sleuthing and our travels over the past several days.

Our first trip was to the town of Rugby in which we found the following attractions.

First up is the Geographical Center Monument. The story behind this is this: in 1931 an employee at the U.S. Geodetic Survey Office placed a cardboard cutout of the US, Canada, and Mexico on the tip of a pencil. The point where it evenly balanced was here in Rugby. It was thus determined that Rugby, in a loose sense, was the geographic center of North America! Rugby was delighted. With help from the Boy Scouts and other volunteers a year later they erected a 21 foot tall pyramid shaped fieldstone monument to donate Rugby’s Geographical distinction. American mappers have, from time to time, protested that they haven’t established the geographical center anywhere, but Rugby is having none of it. The center has to be somewhere so why not Rugby. Thousands of visitors now come each year to snap photos of themselves at North American’s Geographical Center.

This is the native America Writing Rock. The rock is said to have been inscribed by early Native Americans. It is inscribed with the imprints of a human hand, an owl, bear paws and more.

This is the Northern Lights Tower. It is an 88 1/2 foot tall steel structure dedicated to the spectacular Aurora Borealis.

The Niewoehner Bell Tower. There are about four tons of bells in the steel bell tower. The two largest bells at the top are 40 inches in diameter and weight about 1,300 pounds each. There is also a 36-inch bell, two 34-inch bells, a 30-inch bell, a 26-inch bell, and a 24-inch bell.

Our final stop in Rugby was at Prairie Village Museum. We toured 20 historic buildings and six exhibit halls filled with antique cars, farm machinery and thousands of household, trade and personal items.

Our next stop was in Bottineau where we found Tommy the Turtle guarding the town’s tennis courts. Tommy is 30 feet tall, weighs 3 tons and sits on a snowmobile that is 34 feet long. The artist who created him wishing to economize on his construction only used six colors of paint on Tommy – yellow, black, white, green, brown, red and silver. Through the cold of winter and the heat of summer Tommy survives and continues to stand tall.

One day we went for home made ice cream at Pride Dairies. Oh man, that was some delicious ice cream.

Continuing

Also on the list of must see attractions in this region.

This is a solar calendar that marks the end of a season and the beginning of another. A solar calendar gives us our seasons and year.

Winter Solstice marks the beginning of Winter

Vernal Equinox marks the beginning of Spring

Summer Solstice marks the beginning of Summer

Autumnal Equinox marks the beginning of Fall

Not sure yet how exactly it works but I’m going to try and find out.

Finally,

for Father’s Day we decided to go out to eat at a local pub that had good reviews. We were not disappointed for the food was first class.

Well, our time here has now come to an end. The four of us have had a great time together. Indeed, its not the attractions but family and friends that makes life so worthwhile. And I can think of no better friends than Isaac and Shelia. Parting will be sweet sorrow come tomorrow. We’ll not say goodbye but rather till we meet again.

Time to go there is packing to do and odds and ends to attend to. Have a good evening, sleep tight. Till tomorrow.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.

Saturday, June 18, 2022

Temperature 83 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine, Strong Winds

International Peace Gardens, American & Canadian Border

Today we went to the Gardens to see what we can see. Unfortunately, they proved to be somewhat of a disappointment. I was expecting to see per their web site row upon row of colorful flowers. That was not the case. The simple reason being the weather here has been both unseasonably cold as well as wet. Speaking of which, last Tuesday we were told they received 3 1/2 inches of rain in just one hour. Therefore, they have been unable to plant most of the flowers during the past month. And a lot of what they had already planted was heavily damaged on Tuesday by the rain and wind. We were also told that if one comes the around mid-July much of the flowers will be planted or replaced and finally in full bloom. Well, we don’t have that long so lets go for a walk and see what we can see.

This stone cairn was placed here at the dedication of the gardens in 1932. It is just inside the actual entrance to the gardens.

This large clock was received in 1966 from the Bulova watch company. It is 18 feet in diameter and displays a unique floral arrangement each year. The number of plants can range from 2,000 to 5,000 depending on the type of plant and the design on the face of the clock. As is obvious some flowers have been planted but there are numerous more that have to be. When will they all bloom is anyone’s guess right now. I’m sure, though, that when they do it will be stunning.

Beds of flowers which have recently been planted.

This is the Sunken Garden area with an octagonal pond as its focal point. Remember the rain I mentioned in the beginning that fell last Tuesday? The water in the pond was 2 inches up from the bottom of all the planters.

The pond has two adjoining pools, this one on the American side of the pond. And across the pond you can see the other pool

which is on the Canadian side.

This is the 49th Parallel which marks the boundary between Canada and the United States. In the top picture, Canada is to the left and the United States is to the right. This small brook runs along the 49th Parallel through the whole length of the Gardens

Trees, shrubs and flowers encompass the pond.

We did find some of the beds which had recently been planted with flowers.

Within the Garden you’ll find

The Carillon Bell Tower which plays on the quarter hour.

And my favorite The Peace Chapel. The Chapel anchors the west end of the Formal Garden.

The Chapel is definitely something special. As you sit here in quiet and solitude you find rest for your soul.

On its walls are though provoking quotes by world leaders on many aspects of life.

Quotations such as this encircle the chapel and are written on its walls.

Though the Garden was not in full bloom I still found it to be a very special place that is hard to describe. As you walk slowly through the formal gardens and view the various exhibits you feel a certain sense of peace within that goes with you when you leave. I would definitely love to come back again but this time in late July or early August.

Yes, I would encourage you to put this on your bucket list of places to visit. It’s a long trip and a bit out of the way but definitely worth the trip. Come in late July or early August and you’ll be blown away by the thousands of flowers in bloom.

Oh yes

Yet another new T-shirt.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.

Friday, June 17, 2022

Temperature 79 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine, Clear Blue Sky

International Peace Gardens, American & Canadian Border

Yes, we’ve found a new home for the next few nights. We are now as far north as we are going to go on this tour.

Our new home is the campground within the International Peace Garden. The Peace Garden sits on the border of Canada and the United States. Depending on what side of the garden you walk down will determine what country you are in.

The garden began in 1928 with the vision of Dr. Henry J Moore of Ontario who conceived the idea of a formal garden on the border of America and Canada where peace could be celebrated. He wanted it to be a living monument to the ideals of friendship and cooperation among nations. A year later he proposed the plan to the National Association of Gardeners who approved his plan for the International Peace Garden. In 1932 50,000 people gathered to witness the groundbreaking and dedication ceremony.

Manitoba donated 1451 acres and North Dakota donated 888 acres. By 1934 work was well underway and the Civilian Conservation Corp descended upon the area to perform the physical work of transforming the existing prairie and forest into a garden to celebrate peace.

Within the garden, on the American side is the campground. But before we get there I want to share something interesting we saw on the way here.

This is one giant turtle! The turtle is made up of 2,000 steel wheel rims welded together. The head alone weights a ton, and is mounted on a pivot so if you’ve been working out you can even pull it up and down. Nope, didn’t even try!

Back to the Campground. I came here solely on the recommendation of a friend who had been here last year. Unfortunately, I failed to ask a few crucial questions, such as: were the sites big rig friendly? Did they have a dirt or gravel base? What happens when it rains?

OK, it is big rig friendly. OK, the sites are dirt. As to what happens when it rains?

Well, to make a long story short, due to the rains here over the last several weeks most of the campground has become a swamp. And you know what grows in the swamp? Lots and lots of mosquitoes! When you walk out of your rig you can hear them saying Here comes another meal!

Fortunately, our site – #6 – is dry. Sort of. Each site is dirt with a short concrete pad. You can’t see it in this picture but our back wheels are on the pad and the front are just off of it. The site is level so no problem there. We only have water and electric which is fine for a few days. We also have Albert on his table and doing his thing.

But the really best part of being here is that our good friends Isaac and Sheila who we first met in Florida this past winter are in a site adjacent to us. We actually consider ourselves one big, happy family. We have been so looking forward to seeing them again, enjoying their company and getting caught up on what’s been going on in their lives. They make it so worth being here, no matter how bad it is.

Toward that end last night we all gathered together in our rig for some wine and cheese and a time to catch up. Well, we quickly lost track of time – which is not hard to do when it doesn’t get dark until around 10:30 pm – and before we knew it we were all yawning and ready to call it a night. We had a great evening and decided the following day we would get out and do some sightseeing together.

Now, we both were supposed to stay here until Tuesday. But oh those mosquitoes have sure forced a change in plans. We’ve decided that we’ll both be leaving on Monday. We’ll be going east and they’ll be going west.

So that is where we are on The Road of Retirement. We’ll be touring the gardens in the next day or two. We’ve already done some sightseeing in the area. All in all, life is really good.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.