A week into our North Dakota exploration, and we are a happy, tired bunch. We even managed to sleep in a bit this morning. As I'm starting the blog a bit later than usual, I'll make it a short one.
Yesterday we traveled from Medora to Williston, through miles and miles of "National Grassland," with a stop in Dickinson to visit the tiny Ukrainian Cultural Institute, where Kate filled us in on the history of Ukrainians in North Dakota and the dozens of families currently living in the area, some ranching land their families have lived on for generations, others recent immigrants who work as dishwashers or on the chuckwagon in nearby Medora. Many of the families continue to create the quilts and decorated eggs that are part of their tradition back home, and the Institute proudly displays them.
 |
| Miss North Dakota was crowned Miss America |
We had heard from one of the locals at the Rough Riders Inn that Williston, where she grew up, is now too big ever since the oil boom, most recently in 2008, which ballooned the population there 225% from about 1700 to 6200 (the stats we got from Google, the tales of dismay at all that growth from the local). The working oil rigs dotting 85 provided the visual evidence, as do the photographs gracing the Sheraton that provided us - and many dozens of men who likely work these rigs - with shelter last night.
Before arriving to Watford City and Williston, the two towns most impacted by the oil boom, we explored the North Unit of TRNP, and boy does it deliver. There was nobody manning the entrance gate, as I guess very few people visit this portion of the park, and there was never more than a car or two pulling off the road with us to gawk at the majestic bison just far enough in the distance for safety. While we didn't do as much hiking as we had the previous days, there are still ample opportunities to take short walks to awe-inspiring overlooks, and we took advantage of every one of those.
 |
After a short stop in Watford City to check out the ample new construction (new schools, new banks, new apartment complexes, new houses, new ice cream store - had to linger there for just a bit!) and to contemplate buying some land in these parts, we arrived in Williston in time for a quick walk through the downtown which was hosting some sort of classic car event, a delicious dinner at a local brewery and then a pilgrimage to one of the reasons Williston was on my radar - its statue of wheat commemorating those who work in agriculture in North Dakota.
 |
| Loved all the cow art (and puns )at the Wild Cow ice cream shop |
While we're here after the harvest, I love that our last state is a fitting place to close the "Amber Waves" tour. We still have several more days to explore the fascinating and beautiful state of North Dakota, but I can definitely say that, if not the "best," we saved a pretty darn great one for last.
No comments:
Post a Comment