The best things happen when you get off the interstate and start cruising the backroads. The Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway, which runs parallel to I-94 in the central part of North Dakota, is no exception. I have nothing against the interstate system. It's efficient, I'll give it that. And sometimes you really do just need to get somewhere fast. But the scenic route is just more fun. And it's usually much less stressful too. You can slow down, unclench your shoulders, relax a

“The is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Scandinavian Proverb On this, the 200 millionth day of social distancing, I’m restless. So I’m doing what I always do when this mood hits. I’m getting outside, even in winter. I know it seems counterintuitive to be active in the cold when you’re worn out and run down. It’s hard to get motivated when you need a sweater just to sit in the house. Hibernating is necessary sometimes. I get it. But when that weird, jittery k

North Dakota has some truly random roadside attractions. But the Enchanted Highway is something special. It begins with the World’s Largest Scrap Metal Sculpture and ends with dinner or an overnight stay at a a castle on the border of the badlands. I couldn’t make this up if I tried. And it’s totally worth a pilgrimage to see the sculptures in person. “Geese in Flight” is the cornerstone of The Enchanted Highway Where is The Enchanted Highway? You’ll find The Enchanted Highwa

There are so many ways to enjoy North Dakota State Parks in every season. We usually think of getting outdoors during the summer, but some endorphin boosting exercise, quality time in nature and a little vitamin D-inducing sunshine can do us a lot of good during the long dark days of winter as well. Many North Dakota State Parks include winter recreation and outdoor opportunities. You can also rent gear at the park if you don’t have access to your own. (Just make sure you wea

For screwball comedy, zombies, assassins, epic parties, family hijinks, espionage, and mistaken identities and the occasional sing-along, dive into obscure Christmas movies and Christmas adjacent films this year. They’re a whole lot weirder than the Christmas classics and more fun too. A black comedy, action movie or film noir can serve as the perfect palate cleanser after too much artificial sweetness. Lush fantasy films, quirky musicals and nuanced foreign films can transpo

“…This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year’s threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath, the door of a vanished house left ajar…” Margaret Atwood Eating Fire: Selected Poetry 1965-1995 Image by bluartpapelaria from Pixabay Today marks the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. It’s been observed by many cultures all over the world since time immemorial. It’s also the b

This is a year for reimagining holiday traditions. Visiting some of the best Midwest holiday light displays is a stellar way to celebrate the season. So mix up some hot cocoa (and maybe grab some of my favorite Christmas cookies, if you want to be a little extra) and set out into the night for a little holiday cheer. The Midwest holiday light displays list Every attraction on this list has been recommended by readers like you — writers, bloggers, business owners and busy peop

This is a season of giving. But it’s also been a weird, depleting year. So give yourself a break and look for easy Christmas gifts to make and give. (Or maybe just them to yourself. You’ve earned it!) And I’m using the term “make” very loosely. The last item on the list just needs a recipe and a bow, so when I say easy, I mean it. This year has been hard enough. Let’s not make things any harder than it needs to be. As with everything in 2020, please practice pandemic safety w

Winter is usually a season of rest and realignment. 2020 has been mentally and physically exhausting, so we need cozy winter things to lift our spirits more now than ever. When I feel frazzled and feel like my energy is going everywhere at once, it helps to slow down, get comfortable and focus only on my senses. When I’m stressed, it helps to turn my attention inward, take in my surroundings and practice mindfulness in quiet, simple ways. Nothing grounds me in the present mom

Autumn is fading into winter in the northern hemisphere. The pandemic still rages. Social distancing hobbies can help keep us focused during the chilly days of winter, when nights are long and our restlessness is strong. When the pandemic first pushed us indoors, my feeds were flooded with images and stories of people making the best of an unprecedented situation, diving back into pursuits they’d loved as kids or discovering new hobbies for the first time. We need to recaptur

I took a little art field trip to see The Photoville FENCE in Fargo-Moorhead and West Fargo yesterday. My parents and son came too and it was the perfect way to spend a warm, socially distant afternoon. If you need a new experience (or just want to get out of the house for a bit) I highly recommend it. You can easily see the photos on foot — or even drive by them in your vehicle at two of the three locations. And if you live outside of the area (or want to revisit your favori

Online shopping is easy, but sometimes you crave a more curated experience. That’s why I love giving Midwestern gift boxes. Sending popular pre-made gift boxes (or packing your own creation with clever little extras and unexpected indulgences) is a fun way to support Midwestern businesses and give a unique gift – even if it’s just to yourself. Marketed as care packages, mini-retreats, portable parties or vacations in a box, these gift boxes burst with thoughtfully selected ar

If you love art and being outdoors, take an afternoon to check out public art in downtown Grand Forks. This is the perfect time for a road trip. The weather is crisp and sunny, you might still see some fall foliage on the way and everything on this itinerary is outdoors, so you can stay safe and practice social distancing. There are stops on this route where you can go inside to pick up food, drinks, new art for your house or just warm up for a bit. But please practice COVID-

Union Market Mankato is bringing a whole new shopping experience to this Minnesota River city. It features more than 20 Minnesota brands in one convenient location. This eclectic market stocks a homegrown selection of art, clothing for men, women and kids, gifts, accessories, home decor, vintage items and more. You can buy houseplants to feed your oh-so-2020 hobby/addiction and stock up at the apothecary. Home goods and gifts at Union Market Mankato Photo by Lauren Krysti Fas

“This is unreal.” My husband Derrick is standing at one of the highest points in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, surveying the sweep of the Little Missouri River Valley below. This part of North Dakota is quite arid, but the cottonwoods are lush and green. “It’s like a painting,” he says, shaking his head in wonder. Then he and our son are off, scampering down yet another trail. River Bend Overlook My favorite National Park Most people have a favorite National Park. Theodor

We’re all craving a little novelty these days. But we also need to stay safe. Roseville in Bloom gives us the best of both worlds. The Minnesota city launched this very cool public art project back in July. But there’s still time to see it. Just get to the Twin Cities by the end of October. Lydia Anderson sculpture at Roseville in Bloom The Roseville in Bloom project features 20 rose statutes created by local artists. They’re strategically placed outdoors all over the city so

Yes, North Dakota has trees. The Pembina Gorge and Tetrault Woods State Forest are two of the prettiest places to spot them. And if you love fall colors, there’s no better time to go than right now. If you can arrange an impromptu trip, I promise you won’t regret it. This place is a balm for forest lovers in any season, but it’s spectacular during the last days of September and early October, when the tree canopy bursts with orange, russet and gold. Pembina Gorge Masonic Over

It can be hard to find safe ways to celebrate together during a pandemic. The Make Your Own Mural Fest in Northeast Indiana has a found a fun way to connect us. The Make Your Own Mural Fest combines art, the outdoors and history. From September 8-18, 11 artists will be creating 11 totally new works of art in 11 different counties in the region. You can create your own road trip, or follow one of the 11 different road trip itineraries laid out for you. Breathe mural in Fort Wa

I’ve seen a lot of delightfully random public art combinations in my day. But the public art in Devils Lake, North Dakota boasts one of the oddest combos I’ve seen yet. I was struck by this small city’s ghost murals the last time I visited. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, a ghost sign is the faded image of an advertisement painted directly on a building. Ghost signs are part art, part ad and part time capsule, preserving the look and feel of the moment for post

I wrote about some of my favorite North Dakota and South Dakota road trips in a brand new anthology and I’m so excited to tell you about it. It’s called Midwest Road Trip Adventures: Highways and Byways and it details some of the best routes across the Midwest. Routes cover North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas, Ohio and Missouri. Some of these destinations and byways might be familiar. But there are a whole bun