We do a thing…
When I married my husband, his mom handed me a paper map of the U.S.A. It is the kind of map you use to teach a kid the 50 states, letting them color in each one once they have memorized the name and location.
I was told to color in any state I had been to and then continue doing so until I have all 50. I did exactly that, rejoicing each time the map became more and more colorful!
We have rules—you cannot fly over a state to count it. You have to touch down AND step foot on the land in that state. There is some controversy whether you have to leave the airport to qualify or if you can stay in the airport. In my case, I’ve actually left the airport each time. What remains, as of August 30th, is one—North Dakota…the last colorless state on my map!
This past Christmas, my son gave me a mother-son trip over a long weekend. We did something similar a few years back when we went to New York City. He said, “Mom, where do you want to go this time.” I knew where I wanted to go. After a little coaxing, he finally acquiesced. So here we are—Labor Day weekend, and I can soon OFFICIALLY color in North Dakota!
Let the journey begin!
We flew into Minneapolis, rented a car, and started our 4+ hour trek to Fargo, ND. And we saw some big things along the way!
1st stop…
The 28 foot tall Viking is a symbol of the town’s pride as they believe Norsemen visited in 1362. Big Ole was built in 1965 for the New York Word’s Fair by sculptor Gordon Schumaker. After the fair closed, Big Ole made his way to his permanent home.
2nd stop…
3rd stop…
4th stop…
The best for last…
Welcome to North Dakota!
While I first stepped foot in North Dakota the evening of August 30th, we went to the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor Center on Saturday morning, August 31st. Today marks the completion of my map…#50! And when North Dakota is the last, you join their “Best for Last” Club 🇺🇸 and receive a certificate and a T-Shirt!
Btw we ran into Benjamin from California again—there’s a geocache by the visitor’s center!
Note about Fargo, ND – founded in 1871, its population is over 133,000 people today. Moorhead, MN is its twin city and together there are over 250,000 residents. Fargo sits on the western bank of the Red River of the North. Today you’ll find North Dakota State University and lots of references to Fargo, an Academy award-winning 1996 movie directed by the Coen brothers. A television show followed in 2014.
Christina’s Journey Journal 
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