Husband and I are both 55, love to travel. 12 years ago we started taking 5 to 9 day long trips, covering 1000- 1500 miles by car each time. Our goal-see "50 states by 60" years old! We fly to a major destination, then do a circle round trip from that point. To count a state, the rule is we must stop, see someone/something there. People are always interested in hearing where we're going next. When we said "Fargo ND in December", stunned, they replied "WHY?". Usually it's the journey getting to the destination that creates the beautiful memories.
To see North Dakota is tough. Fargo ND was our ultimate destination. We started in twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul MN, about 4 hours from Fargo. Doing the Mall of America when in Dec.shopping mind set was great. One evening we traveled to town by subway train from the Mall to catch Macy's Christmas lights parade ( 3 degrees). In St. Paul's we visited a National Parks station on the history of the upper Mississippi River which overlooks the river from their Science Center. On to Fargo- our plans were to see a seasonal Christmas village found through the internet. Info on the 'net made it sound on going through the holidays & failed to mention it was only on the weekend prior to our arrival. ( new lesson- verify events by phone with Chamber of Commerce). Fargo ND and Moorehead MN have become northern 'twin cities'. Tourism Center was a replica of a grain elevator as seen in the heartlands of America. They were very helpful. They directed us to Moorehead where we visited the Norweign Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center, complete with a viking ship that had sailed the Atlantic Ocean and a Stave Church outside, covered picturesquely in snow. "Why are you here? Usual answer,"You're the last state we need to do." Visit was between 2 snow storms. Bitter cold, our return trip to Minneapolis with glistening snow crystals across prairie fields was just like arists paint. Thanks Fargo. Six states to go!