My north central loop

[kelpie]

This trip isn't til September but I am so excited! maybe because I haven't been anywhere since last September and have a sever case of wanderlust!! Anyway my former MIL and good friend is actually going to go with me. We have talked about taking a trip together for years but never done it. She keeps retiring and then taking other jobs! We are going to Iowa and tour the Amana Colonies, stop in WaTERLOO to visit the Sullivan Bros. Memorial. Next to Minnesota where we will visit the Albert Lead doll and toy museum and the Mall of America. We kinda want to explore Minneapolis a bit and talked about renting a car but I got a tourism book yesterday from the MOA and they have a public transit that will take us downtown so we'll probably do that instead. Next we head to North Dakota, one night's stop in fargo, then west ot Medora where we will explore the heck out of Teddy Rooselvelt national park and the historic town. She is over 62 so will buy the Senior Park Pass. Next we head south to the Black Hills area. Probably going to stay at Custer state park. We may rent a car there for the touring since I'm afraid the rig may be a little big and/or cumbersome for the hills and curves. My son is doing a summer internship for Enterprise and may continue thru the school year and can get us a great deal. As we leave SD, we will stop to visit the Wounded Knee memorial, then head further south to Nebraska where we will stop at Scottsbluff and Chimney rock, significant landmarks on the Oregon trail and several other pioneer trails. Then we turn back east through Nebraska with a stop in Hastings, the birthplace of Koolaid, and home of a pretty cool looking museum. back through Iowa, where we may try to ride the Heritage Carousel in Des Moines, on through Il and IN back home. I have never traveled with anyone like this before (well, my kid to St Louis last year) and am excited. We are very compatible and share many of the same interests but are also willing to do things the other likes or just wait with a book. She is going to help with expenses too! We are already planning NEXt year's trip and we haven't even left on this one.

[HorizonSeeker]

OK, that is an awesome trip. I got excited and I'm about to leave on my own trip later this week. You gave me some ideas about places to see. Hope you and MIL turn out to be great travel companions and have a fantastic trip with LOTS of pix posted here!

[kelpie]

Okay, ladies. I need more advice. It has been suggested to us that we take a more scenic route from just south of Minneapolis to Fargo, by traveling a scenic byway along the St Croix River. and also that we detour to Bimidji to see paul bunyan's birthplace or something. What do do you think - is it worthwhile? It pretty much doubles our travel time but we aren't really in a hurry and Fargo is just an overnight stop, rather than a destination. We are headed to Medora and teddy Roosevelt National Park. Also, anything interesting to stop and see around Bismarck? I know some of you have traveled this way.

[kdmac]

I just loved the Black HIlls...If I remember correctly Custer State Park loops through, or is very close to, The Needles, YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE THAT!!!!!!!!!! it's just a small area of vertical spires and very impressive...part of the movie "National Treasure" with Nicholas Cage was filmed at a little lake there that is just beautiful. And all of that is so close to "Crazy Horse" a must see...Rushmore too, it's all so close. Wish I was doing that trip again.

[mitch5252]

..

Speaking of Mt. Rushmore, thought you guys might like to see a couple of photos my Dad took back in the early 30s...






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[Rufflesgurl]

Awesome pictures Mitch. Guess the work on the Presidents is ongoing.

Linda

[snowball]

I was going to mention the Needles as well and if you do you will differently need a different car as it's narrow and curvy but oh so pretty! and on your way through Iowa there is the Amana colonies and a President's library not that I can think of the name of him right now but thinks its at West Branch can't find my map either and too lazy to find the atlas may need to edit this tomorrow when things might come together better
sheila
Ok asked dh it's Herbert Hoovers library and I was right it is West Branch IA just east and south of Iowa City not far off the interstate

[kelpie]

Thanks for the input ladies. Amana colonies are already on our list and the Sullivan Brothers memorial in Waterloo. Definitely want to see needles, we are hoping to rent a car for a couple of days in the Black Hills. We are staying at Custer state park. My MIL who is going with me says the Crazy Horse Memorial is overpriced and a waste of time so we weren't going to do that one. Anyone know about bemidji?

[RitaMc]

The St Croix scenic route that is the most interesting lies between St Paul and Winnona, which is south east of the Twin cities. From Minneapolis north you don't follow too close to the river, although Interstate Park at Osceola is very pretty. You could take HWy 10 north out of Minneapolis and go to
St Cloud and tour the Munsinger and Clemens Gardens then go to LIttle Falls and tour the Chrales Lindberg Home and then Hwy 10 would take you to Moorehead/Fargo. If you choose you could go I 94 to Saux Center and tour Sinclair Lewis home ( which unfortunately closes after Labor Day, I don't know when your travel dates are) If you take I 94 you could still take the Munsinger and Clemens Garden tour in St. Cloud. The I 94 route is the faster route between St Cloud and Fargo. We were in Fargo last September and loved it. A few miles sw of Fargo is the Fort Ransom Historic site with a beautiful campground we hope to camp at someday. (The Shasta is renovation is nearing completion so soon we hope). Which ever route you choose be sure to wave when passing St Cloud. I'll be watching and wave back. Have a great trip.

[JudyJB]

I enjoyed the Crazy Horse site, but that was 30 years ago. One nice thing was that they let you take a rock away, and it is the same rock as for Mount Rushmore as well. My son still uses that rather large rock in his science classroom, along with a ton of other rocks he has collected with interesting characteristics. It is a very fine granite, which is one reason for all of the carving in these very old mountains.

I do remember the needles road as being very curvy. Do they post warnings on roads so motorhomes can avoid them????