North Dakota or Bust... The Travels of Frannie & Joe

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When Joe suggested to me in a fleeting by-the-way- kind of tone he uses so often that we travel to North Dakota this summer, it never occurred to me to ask why. Two years ago I began traveling more and more so to think I could stake a claim on the Midwest left very few reasons for considerations. Although I never asked why, I did wonder what we would do for 10 days in a state. I knew I would appreciate the Badlands, the vastness, and the peace but how much vastness can a Jersey girl take? It amazed me each time our trip came more into play that the Badlands were only one morsel in the cornucopia in the Peace Garden State. As we planned our routes, made our reservations, and found the most obscure and outrageous things to do, we knew our journey would be full of everything that make us Joe and Frannie, our alter egos. On our list of things to do we logged the Enchanted Highway, The Teddy Roosevelt National Park, A trip up the Missouri River, and a stop in Montana and Canada for good measure. The trip took six months to plan and now after all our hard work and planning we are ready to go. Still, even moments before we leave family, friends, and even strangers ask “Why North Dakota?” All we can say is “Why, Not?”