Still in North Dakota June 16-18 Minnewaukan, Pekin, Hope

We were off of Highway 2 today, on back roads. It was lovely with so many ponds which came up next to the road. When I pedaled by, I heard many surprised water fowl flapping their wings to get away. We saw families of Canada Geese; dad and mom shepherding the babies away from the road as we came by.

Pelicans at Devil's Lake ouside Minnewaukan

Devil's Lake Sunset

In North Dakota, there are many roads, but most are not paved. When I stopped for breakfast at the Esmond Cafe I asked some locals about the road to Minnewaukan. I was wondering about traffic or hills. But the answer I got was, "Oh, it's a good road, black top all the way, you won't have any trouble." This is the standard in North Dakota.

Louis Arnold, Diane Streifel, Rod Wolf, Helen Arnold ($10 donation)

Esmond ND

We continued on back roads through wetlands on to the little town of Pekin. This town's population was so small a number was not listed on our map, and there was no sign announcing its appearance along our road. I was concerned about us not having a place to stay there, because Pam's contact was not available. By the time I arrived, Pam had secured luxury accommodations for us at the Prairie View Lodge. Again, no need to worry.

Welcome to Pekin

When we walked the block to town we discovered Pekin was the home of the largest judged art show and sale in North Dakota. Since this would occur two weeks later, we were treated to a sneak preview. It was especially meaningful as so many of the scenes were of things we were seeing along our route.

Iris blooms in Pekin, ND

Pekin is also home to some beautiful Iris gardens. Gene Gunhus enthusiastically directed us to his gardens and let us know he shipped these plants all over the US. He even had an Iris bloom that smelled like chocolate. If you travel to Pekin to buy your Iris plant, you will be on the honor system to place your money in a jar and carry your Iris away in a paper bag. This is what life is like in Pekin, population 72.

Gene Gunhus, Pekin ND

Irises on the Honor System

The only thing Pekin lacked was a store. The only food available was a bar which served frozen pepperoni pizza. Luckily we were carrying some food with us.

On our ride to Hope we again spent the day flushing water fowl out of the wetland ponds as we passed by. The sounds were amazing with the clicking of frogs, honking of geese, flapping ducks, even the bark of a fox as Mom ran across the road in front of me after she warned her baby to hide in the tall grass below the road.

At the rest stop in Cooperstown I enjoyed the Coooperstown Antiques and Coffee Shop. I had an interesting visit with Connie Swensen. She not only runs this business, she is also an insurance agent for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. She is in the process of selling the shop, because she is trying to simplify her life. I understand that, but I thought people in North Dakota had already mastered this problem. It turns out, Connie is also Mayor of Cooperstown. Yes, she is a busy lady. But, she is loving all the things she is doing. None of them feel like work to her. She even offered me the use of her computer to check my e-mail.

Connie Swensen, Cooperstown ND

In Hope we were invited to spend the night in the fire station. We had a hot shower, a kitchen and private sleeping quarters above a garage full of fire trucks and ambulances, but no fire pole. And luckily, no fires. Though we did hear an alarm go off every three hours during the day, the last one sounded at 9:00 PM.

Hope Fire Hall aka Home for the Night

Antique fire truck as clothesline

We were again presented with a museum which depicted life on the prairie 120 years ago. But, this was a working museum. Pam took advantage of the opportunity to take a weaving lesson on a real loom. She made herself a rag rug that she mailed home. 

Pam's Handiwork

Carol and I poked through all the interesting items at the museum. One thing that caught my eye was a tray full of antique dental instruments. They were BIG and scary. It was an incentive for Carol and I to keep flossing our teeth. I think in those olden days, the only instruments the dentists used were for extractions.

Antique dental instruments in Museum in Hope, ND

This was our last night in North Dakota and I feel grateful to all the people who have touched us so deeply. Anna Hoffman had told me a story which captures the essence of the generosity of North Dakotans. Senator Byron Dorgan, used to regale his Capitol Hill Colleagues with stories of his home town. When he drives his truck into town he never locks it and leaves the key in the ignition. His fellow congressmen asked, "Aren't you afraid of someone stealing your truck?" No, what if one of my friends needs to use my truck?" I'm learning so much about how beautiful America is.