Volunteering, North of Normal 1-25 Aug 2023
- thewanderwomanrv
- Oct 7, 2023
- 6 min read
Like Minnesota, this is my first trip to North Dakota; only this time, I was able to spend the entire month of August exploring the state. My first stop was Grand Forks to visit one of my best friend’s daughters and her family. They’re stationed at Grand Forks AFB so I stayed at the FamCamp on base.
It’s small but has full hookups, a bathhouse and laundry and was only a mile or two from Carly’s house.
Carly had all the dogs in her lap, including Sage. RoseMary is "styling" Charlie's fur while James is watching.
It was fun spending time with them and seeing how big the kids are getting. I’ve been friends with her parents (Pat & Susan) for over 25 years!
Me and Carly. RoseMary loving on Fitz. She loves kitties.
Who knew olives could grow in North Dakota? There were several olive trees in the campground. Family of deer strolling around near family housing.
After spending a few days with them I headed north to Icelandic State Park for my first volunteer project with the non-profit, A Year to Volunteer (Y2V). Y2V is an RV centric volunteer organization that brings together volunteers from all over the country to help improve parks and other community benefiting programs. The founders, Phil and Shar, are full time RVers whose goal is to volunteer in all 50 states for a total of at least 365 days. To learn more about this organization go to www.ayeartovolunteer.com. You don't have to be a full timer to volunteer!
Icelandic State Park is located near Cavalier on Lake Renwick where you can boat, fish, kayak, and swim. You can also explore the 3-mile trail system through the nature preserve. During the winter you can snowshoe or cross-country ski the trails. They even have a dog park! Sage really enjoyed having a place where she could run and chase her beloved ball. I’d take her there every morning before work and again in the evening to work off all her energy.
The campground was really nice. The only thing I didn't like was the utilities were on the camp side instead of by the road. We had to run our power cords under our rigs to plug in. The water spigots were placed between the campsites so you shared with your neighbor. It's a good thing I have two water hoses or it wouldn't have reached. I just don't understand why they built it like that.
We spent two weeks working at the park. The group I was in stained the entire Heritage Center, trimmed vegetation along the walking/cross-country ski trails, stained the windbreak at the picnic shelter and did some landscaping.
The other group replaced the siding and windows on the Akra Hall. It was hard work but so rewarding and everyone we met was so appreciative of our efforts.
Every evening Shar and Phil would have a campfire where we'd gather and visit. I was so tired the first week I didn't make a single one. The second week I was used to the schedule and was able to go.
We worked Monday-Friday with the weekend off. The campground had a "Kids Weekend" event scheduled and was sold out so we all had to give up our campsites and move to this big field in their service area to dry camp. Luckily the weather cooperated and wasn't too hot so no need for air conditioning. We had a pot luck brunch Sunday before we moved back to our campsites. There was so much yummy food!
Sine we had the weekend off, Shawna and I went to Pembina Gorge. The gorge runs from the Canadian border to west of Walhalla encompasses 12,500 acres.
At one point we were so close to the border, Verizon sent me a “welcome to Canada” notification! They also have a Pembina Gorge State Recreation area where you can hike, horseback ride, or ride ATVs and are planning to open a state park there in the future.
I thought this picture was cool. We walked a little ways down the hill and on the way back I caught Sage in mid-jump. She enjoys exploring as much as I do.
We would’ve visited Manitoba while we were so close, but, 1. I didn’t have my passport (I’d sent it off to be renewed) and 2. the entire province bans pit bulls! It’s the only Canadian province that does that. Boo Manitoba! #dontbullymybreed #proudpittiemom
After the project was finished, I headed to Fargo to visit my friend, Debra, from Georgia. She’s originally from Fargo and moved back the beginning of August.
I stayed at Lindenwood Campground, the only RV park in Fargo, right on the Red River. It’s a small campground and I was lucky to get a spot for three nights. I wanted to stay longer but they’re booked solid. I was also lucky enough to get a site on the lower level by the river. The ones up the hill are packed so tightly together it’s ridiculous.
I really enjoyed Fargo. It’s a quirky city with murals all over town.
Just a few of the many murals around town.
The visitor’s center is in an old grain elevator. It has the Celebrity Walk of Fame where an eclectic group of celebrities have their handprints and signatures in the concrete walkway around the park. And of course, the most iconic movie prop in history – The Woodchipper from the classic Coen brother movie, Fargo. You can’t come here and not get a picture with the chipper.
Celebrity walk of fame
When the Fargo Theatre first opened in 1926, movie tickets cost just 25 cents for adults. It was an era of silent cinema – one year before the movies learned to talk. The first film screened at the Fargo Theatre was The Man on the Box starring Syd Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin’s brother). The Theatre also had a vaudeville stage for live entertainment.
The Theatre has been in operation for 93 years, constantly evolving with the film industry and the city it calls home. It is now the region’s only art house cinema, specializing in independent and international film programming. The Fargo Theatre is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Deb took me to an Irish Pub called the Blarney Stone where I had my first espresso martini. Now I know why my daughter raves about them. The food was really good too. I had the Shepard's Pie and it was delicious!
Another day I had a craving for fish and chips (I rarely eat fried fish) so we went to another restaurant called Beer & Fish. I had walleye for the first time and it was really good too. Both places get 👍👍
We also went to the Hjemkomst Center (pronounced yem-komst which is Norwegian for Homecoming). The Hjemkomst is a full-size replica of a Viking ship. It is the brainchild of Robert Asp. In 1971, while researching his Norwegian ancestry, he came across the story of the Gokstad Viking ship that had been buried near Gokstad, Norway as part of an elaborate Viking burial.
Asp had a dream to build a replica of this ship and sail it to Norway. It took almost 10 years to complete and was built in Hawley, Minnesota. In August 1980, he was captain for her maiden voyage throughout Lake Superior but died of leukemia that December. Nearly two years later, on June 14, 1982, Asp’s three sons and daughter, along with eight other crew members departed New York City and arrived in Bergen, Norway on July 19th.
Everyone slept on deck in the bunks. Can you imagine how cold it was? Brrr
Behind the center is a replica of the Hopperstadt Stave Church located in Vik, Norway. The name comes from the vertical support pillars (staves) to construct wooden building. Only 28 stave churches survive today in Norway, including Hopperstadt which is nearly 900 years old!
I introduced Deb to letterboxing. There was a couple of them hidden in this cemetery and we stumbled across Roger Maris' grave. If you don't know, he was a baseball player who is famous for hitting a record (at the time) of 61 home runs in 1961 while playing for the NY Yankees.
Sage made herself at home at Deb's apartment. Buddy doesn't look too thrilled to not be in his mom's lap.
I really enjoyed my short time in Fargo and spending a few days with Deb. I hope to get back there when I can stay longer.
Next time we go onto the capital city of Bismarck and explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
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