July 30 – Aug-5, 2022 – More North Dakota State Parks …
The first stop is Lewis & Clark State ParkLocated at one of the upper bays of the huge Lake Sakakawea – a man-made reservoir.Next stop is Lake Metigoshe State Park in the Turtle Mountains – it is located along the U.S. / Canadian border.In the Turtle Mountains – everything is “turtle” here ….. everything 🙂Our nice private campsite …The park has miles and miles of beautiful trails for hiking, bicycle, kayaking and many smaller lakes.Our first trail — goes to the Canadian border.So, one of our bikes is in the US … and one in Canada !!Also you can paddle to Canada …… and we did !!! 🙂At our campsite a family of (I think) Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers – picked, every late afternoon, for hours at the same tree. What a sight!The way to the next stop … along the road “dotted” with lakes!Next stop is the very interesting Icelandic State Park. It got it’s name from the settlers from Island.We got a super nice campsite – and the park is not much visited during the week.The main feature at this park is the Pioneer Heritage Buildings. Imagine moving to a new land, traveling across grassland on foot or in an oxcart. Everything you and your family own is in one trunk. The only clothes you have may be the ones you are wearing. If you are lucky, the soles of your shoes do not have holes – if you have shoes. There is not a house waiting to be occupied or a town eager to welcome new neighbors. This is a new land. There is not another family for as far as you can see. To build a house you need land! Pioneers could acquire 160 acres of land, provided that they live on the land for five years and cultivate a portion during this time. A fee of $14-$18 was required to file and another $4-$8 was required when they made the final proof of title. —- For us is was very impressive to hear what risk immigrants took way back than – not knowing anything about the “new world”.This replica of a 12′ x 16′ log cabin was home for a family of six to ten people !!The Gunlogson House … a very unique homestead for a family from Iceland – it was lived in for 100 years.Many schools like this with one room for eight different grades at the same time! Amazing !! We also learned about the Dunce cap 😉The Hallson Church was build in 1897Across the road from the state park – an even more interesting museum.With many very interesting collections !!! … one of the collection fills two barns – full of classic cars !.. and I liked the Puppe Cook Car – a restaurant on wheels – provided food for the families working on the farms.Very nice trails in the parkOur next stop is the Turtle River State Park.. again … a very nice campsite... and nice trails !
