Last night (Aug 11) I had the pleasure of meeting Col Mike Taylor and his spouse Amanda. Col Taylor is the new Deputy Commander of the 5th Bomb wing, transferring in from Barksdale Air Force Base.

Col Taylor was representing the 5th Bomb Wing at the Military Gallery Open house held last night at the Beowulf Golf Course. As conversations normally go, we got around to “so how has it gone at Minot AFB so far” and “what have you done exciting in North Dakota so far?” Having been in Minot for only 2 months, the Taylors have had limited time to tour the area, but with that being said Amanda was really interested in possible places to visit before winter.
Well folks, I did some serious thinking and came up with 4 “can’t miss” places to visit, you know the kind of places that you would feature on your Christmas Card from North Dakota.

1) Lake Metigoshe State Park- It’s only a 2-hour drive to Lake Metigoshe State Park. Within the park there are several hiking paths that have been re-built after the Northern Lights Council of the Boy Scouts of America sold their summer camp to the state of North Dakota. There are also 4, 4 season cabins that can be rented at the camp. I think of all the areas that has a variety North Dakota experiences, Lake Metigoshe State Park is the most diverse. Right now, there are a lot of summer events like canoeing and kayaking but soon fall will hit and the trees will start to display their beautiful fall color foliage.

2) Cross Ranch State Park- Located about 90 minutes south of Minot along the Missouri river, this park lets you walk amongst tall cottonwood trees that are over 100 years old. Follow the path along the river and soon you will be taken up into what was once native North Dakota prairie to the Cross Ranch. Cross Ranch is located along the only free-flowing section of the Missouri River in North Dakota. The river is bordered by some of the most extensive floodplain forests left in the state. Farther away from the river are uplands that are covered by mixed-grass prairie, a small remnant of what once covered millions of acres before agricultural development. Although the natural flow of the river has been greatly altered by the operation of Lake Sakakawea, several endangered species are found in the river and along its banks. Least terns, piping plovers and fall-migrating whooping cranes still use the sandbars in the river, Pallid sturgeon cruise its channels and bald eagles fish the waters.

3) The Pembina Gorge Recreation Area & Icelandic State Park- Located in the north eastern tip of North Dakota, the Pembina Gorge recreation area, and soon to be Pembina Gorge State Park has become a top destination for adventure seekers throughout North Dakota and the surrounding states. The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area encompasses over 2,800 acres of public land in the Pembina River Gorge. With steep valley cliffs towering over small, isolated prairies and pocketed wetlands surrounded by the largest continuous, undisturbed forest in North Dakota, its stunning beauty is simply unmatched.

Looking for recreation trails? With over 30 miles of trails, the Pembina Gorge provides visitors with an exceptional outdoor experience. The trails at the Pembina Gorge are open to horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and off-highway vehicles (OHV). There are also opportunities for non-motorized recreation on groomed trails in the winter season. Kayak rentals and transportation are available by contacting the on-site staff.When fall comes to the Pembina Gorge, so do the fall colors. It’s a photographers’ dream.

4) Fort Ransom State Park- Maybe the longest trip, closer to 3 hours, Taking its name from a 1860s military fort, Fort Ransom State Park is located in the midst of the scenic and heavily wooded Sheyenne River Valley. The river provides abundant opportunities for canoeing, fishing and bird watching, while within the park can be found a short segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

During the summer, horseback riding and camping are favorite activities, while cross-country skiing is a popular winter sport. A farmstead within the park is the setting for the annual Sodbuster Days celebration with demonstrations and exhibits of homesteading life.

Check out the many rental opportunities in the park including the modern yurts and The Percheron Wagon. The Percheron Wagon is a one-of-a-kind experience. While the Percheron has a rustic exterior, the interior is quite homey. The wagon has a king bed and a set of twin bunk beds. It also includes a refrigerator, microwave, four barstools around a wagon wheel table, heat and air conditioning.

If you have questions about destinations in the area, you can always drop me an email at northernsentry.com. I enjoy sharing…

Must Do Events!
The Downtown Minot Fall Festival is only 4 weeks away. Be in Downtown Minot Saturday, September 13th from 10 AM to 5 PM. Check out downtownminot.com for more details.

Today’s Chuckle
Everybody has a dream, but most of us sleep right through it.