I know some folks are really happy when the temperatures reach the 90’s and even 100+ degrees in August; I am not one of those folks. The other day I was checking in at the Magic City Gate and the conversation between the 2 security officers was a discussion on whether a heat index of 100+ degrees or a wind chill of minus 40 degrees was more tolerable. I gave them a bit of my North Dakota knowledge saying that you can always add clothes when it is cold outside, but there is not much you can do about “hot”. It was 2-1…hot was better than cold. Keep in mind that this conversation took place around 10 AM in the morning, and the temperature on my car thermometer was only 77 degrees. Could be a different story around 4 PM in the afternoon.

Medora Not Forgotten
My friend Curt sent me a text after reading my last column about places to visit in North Dakota before the seasons change. “Does Medora rank in the top 10?” he asked. Because the Medora Musical ends it’s 2025 run on September 6th, I chose not to list them. We are certainly Medora Musical junkies in the Wilson family, hardly missing a Medora Musical. This year we will be in the audience for the September 4th show, and the next morning we plan on seeing my friend Joe Wiegand as President Roosevelt as he presents Brunch with the President. I have heard that the Medora Musical and Joe’s presentation are great again this year. I just checked online and there are tickets available to all remaining performances, although Friday, September 5th appears to have quite a few tickets sold. So yes, Curt, there is a Medora Musical…and it is in the top 10 of for sure places to visit before September 6th,
Bacon & Brew
Looks like the VIP tickets for Bacon & Brew are almost sold out, and the regular tickets are also going fast. The stars of the show on September 4th at Roosevelt Park Zoo will be the Amur Tiger cubs, all 4 of them, and I am sure they will put on quite a show. Go to the Roosevelt Park Zoo web site, https://rooseveltparkzoo.com, and get your tickets today.
Better Late
Seems that gardens in the area are a bit late this year, but word is out that the late rains have made a trip to the local Farmers’ Markets a “must do” for those who crave fresh fruits and vegetables.
Anne Gates or Northern Prairie Farms is pretty sure that this Saturday will be a record for her boasting fresh broccoli, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, banana peppers, cabbage, kale, onions, zucchini, squash and possible other produce depending on the week. (hot weather usually ripens things in a hurry).
Not to mention that Anne usually has her freshly milled whole wheat bread and North Dakota raw honey.
As before, fair warning, the early produce shopper gets the produce…so be in line at 11 AM when all of the vendors at North Prairie Farmer’s Market opens for business. Tell Anne Rod from the Northern Sentry sent you. (LOL)
Someone at Minot AFB asked me about my sailboat on Lake Sakakawea, and why didn’t I take it across the road and sail in Lake Audubon?
The simple answer is, Lake Sakakawea used to the Missouri River, until they built the Garrison Damn back in the 50’s. As you sail Lake Sakakawea, it’s not unusual to have water depths of over 100 feet deep. Lake Audubon was more of a shallow lake until they built the Snake Creek Pumping plant which took water from Lake Sakakawea and transferred it across Highway 83 to Lake Audubon. It’s not an optical illusion that sometimes, and in fact most of the time when we have a dry year, Lake Audubon has a higher water level that Lake Sakakawea. If you some time take a drive around Lake Audubon, including the South Shore Auto tour. It certainly is worth your time as the Lake Audubon area is certainly home to a lot of wildlife.
This Week’s Got To See Secret
Again, probably not a secret, but just a reminder. All of the beautiful sunflower fields will face east when the sun comes up, giving you about an hour of great photography from about 8 AM to 9 AM, and from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Get those family photos with the natural beauty of sunflowers in full bloom behind you. It will surely be all North Dakota when you share those photos with friends and family.
This Week’s Chuckle
The hardest part about your 20s is realizing your parents don’t understand anything. The hardest part about your 30s is realizing your parents understood everything.