About a year ago, after a trip to the mountain west region of America, I mentioned I'd been to all but two U.S. states -- North Dakota and Alaska. The North Dakota deal is a little crazy really, since I grew up only about a half-day drive from its southern border. But I never got closer than northern South Dakota. (Is everyone keeping up directionally here??)
So now an update...I've only Alaska left to visit, after taking a side trip earlier this summer from Minneapolis to Fargo, North Dakota. What did I miss from a life having never seen North Dakota?
It turns out, not a lot. Typical upper midwestern landscape of farmland and prairie grass. Also: Flat.
I did find the city of Fargo to be quite pleasant. I was there on a Sunday, and the downtown area was modern and vibrant. It even looked like one establishment was setting up for an early-evening outdoor concert.
Fargo is also the home of North Dakota State University, which I'm sure is a great economic engine for the city. Lots of school colors (green and gold) and school mascots (bison) to be seen. And don't forget the Fargo Dome, which predictably had lots of hotels and restaurants around it.
Remember now, this was summertime. I can only imagine, and hope never to see, what the city looks like when it's a snow-covered, below zero temperature climate. I guessing no one would describe the downtown area as 'vibrant' then.
Be that as it may, I'm glad I visited, and glad to have only one more state to go. Alaska seems like a great place for a retirement cruise sometime in the not-too-distant future.....
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