Giant Structures of the Plains

Sandy the Sandhill Crane - Steele, ND (image property of Realnd.com)

This weekend was the opening of crane season in North Dakota, and while hunting has nothing to do with this post, crane season always reminds me of one of my favorite metal behemoths of the plains … Sandy, the sandhill crane in Steele, ND. I had just finished playing basketball for the Steele-Dawson Pirates when Sandy was erected. The fact that she and I shared the same name didn’t escape many of my friends, and a few years of good natured teasing has made her a forever memory I will not give up.

Sandy (the crane) isn’t the only structure I feel tied to in North Dakota. We’ve all grown up looking for the Buffalo as we passed Jamestown, or New Salem Sue going the other direction. These giant metal structures are part of our cultural landscape and I am challenging us all to embrace them. I’ve heard many talk down about these “crazy” structures, but is “crazy” really bad or “crazy” at all? I think not! It is a part of our history, our landscape and the memories we evoke in people tied to North Dakota and with that … I give you an Ambassadors Top 15 Prairie Giants in North Dakota list and challenge you to tell me where they are located or add any that I missed.

The first person to name their locations in an email to me at smcmerty@nd.gov wins a Lewis & Clark Bicentennial t-shirt.

Ambassadors Top 15 Prairie Giants in North Dakota (in no particular order)

1. The Enchanted Highway – 15 larger than life structures
2. Wee’l Turtle
3. Tommy Turtle
4. Wally the Walleye
5. Wheat Monument
6. Wahpper the Catfish
7. Salem Sue
8. Sandy
9. World’s Largest Buffalo
10. Seaman the Dog
11. Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Mandan Chief Sheheke
12. Rusty the Turtle
13. Viking Statue
14. Northern Lights Tower
15. Zombie Golf Giant

Worth Checking Out: Little Boy Big Blades

Photo by Clint Fleckenstein, Bismarck-Mandan Blog

With photography like this, not to mention the cool story, I just have to recognize one of our Ambassadors. Clint Fleckenstein of Bismarck, has a regular blog in the Bismarck-Mandan area. His most recent post features the photographic (and journalistic) journey of he and his son checking out the progress on a wind farm.

I have to admit, I feel a little like a kid again looking at those giants of the prairie and Clint you captured it best out of all the perspectives I’ve seen so far. Thanks for being a great Ambassador! Go check out Clint’s post now at: http://bit.ly/2BsTsM

The Golfing Good Life in North Dakota

Golfweek Magazine

Golfing in North Dakota is a serious matter for all those who think otherwise. Golfweek Magazine featured a great story on North Dakota in its latest edition and highlighted 17-year old Amy Anderson of Oxbow, N.D.  Amy is the latest winner of the U.S. Junior Girls championship and a great example of what the good life in North Dakota can offer. Check out the story at:  http://bit.ly/1NpcZH

Why Does Leaving Always Bring Appreciation

I had the pleasure of driving to Wisconsin this weekend. It was a lot of driving and I must admit, much  beautiful scenery as the leaves are just begining to think about turning there. While I enjoyed the new scenery and the visit, I couldn’t wait to get home. It seems I always appreciate things more once I’ve left them behind for a few days … North Dakota, my family, my pillow, etc.

In the three days I was away, I missed many things, but the one that surprised me was not being able to see a mile on the plains. The fact that we could drive by whole towns and never see a watertower, church or school as they were blocked by trees was a little clausterphobic. I also missed familiar things, my home, family, friends, neighboors … and the other comforts that are often taken for granted. When your butt is numb from hours of driving, there are many things you miss.

The point of all this is, many people come home to North Dakota after leaving for the same reasons. They appreciate much more what our state has to offer, once they have left and seen what else is out there. Sometimes the experience of going somewhere new just reminds us how much we really loved what we already had. The less-is-more lifestyle, a slower pace and the closeness of family, the safeness of communities and quality of life become big wins for North Dakota.

If you are someone who has left and is looking for even more reasons to come home, or maybe you are just looking for a new place to be, see what others have had to say about North Dakota. Visit: http://bit.ly/3wlITY for great relocation stories from across the country for people who call ND their place to be.