2007 Vacation: Day 1 Summary

Day 1 Summary
Brainerd, Minnesota to Bismarck, North Dakota

The first day of my 2007 vacation found me following a route I’d already followed twice before – Brainerd, Minnesota to Bismarck, North Dakota all in one day. I actually decided to do this on purpose, since I had wanted to venture once more through North Dakota. I’ve really developed an affinity for the countryside that surrounds Interstate 94 as it meanders 352 miles through the Peace Garden State.

Because the path I took this year between Brainerd and Bismarck closely resembles the one I took last year, it’s probably best to direct you to the report I wrote last year around this time. There really isn’t that much that I would add to that report, and I think it makes more sense to include a link to it rather than writing the same thing over again.

With that out of the way, it’s still worth noting that even though my report may not have changed from last year, my photos and video from this portion of the trip are all new. It’d actually be pretty hard to go out to this region year after year and not continually find new and interesting subjects to photograph.

Pictures:


A westbound empty coal train descends the "peak" of the Alta Ridge east of Valley City, ND


The same train pictured above going across the big bridge over the Sheyenne River in Valley City, ND


The train once more, this time making a stop in Berea, ND to pick up a locomotive


The landscape near Berea, ND along with some spooky clouds


Even spookier clouds just east Sanborn, ND - those white specks in the water are geese

The following four photos were taken near the Crystal Springs Waterfowl Production Area about 43 miles west of Jamestown near the city of Crystal Springs. The area is accessible from a rest area along the westbound lanes of Interstate 94.









Was this picture taken in Burleigh, ND or Menoken, ND? It's Burleigh if you ask the railroad, but Menoken if you ask local residents or consult a road map. The dual names have existed since 1891, when the Northern Pacific Railroad decided too many places on its lines began with the letter M and renamed its Menoken station Burleigh (after the name of the county the town lines in). The townspeople weren't impressed, however, and continue to stick with the name Menoken.


The Menoken, ND post office

I returned to Menoken/Burleigh the following day, so look for more photos from there in the next entry

Videos:

An overview of the Crystal Springs Waterfowl Production Area

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oKQDcmrZwU