Top Ten's for ND

Top Ten Ways You Know You're in North Dakota

10. You've been driving for no less than 12 hours and you cross the state line (after you stop to take a picture of the "Welcome to North Dakota sign) and your GPS shows nothing but a STRAIGHT line for the next six hours. If you're lucky, you may see a little standing water off to the side of the road.

9. After driving approximately 3 more hours, you see the largest cow ever made off to the side of the road. Welcome to New Salem, North Dakota. You know you've been here a few times when your children no longer have any kind of reaction to the giant cow. And, if you don't have a clue about the giant cow, you have no business being here.

8. After the sun sets gently in the west, you now have to keep your eyes peeled in the distance for those dumb deer that think they own the highways around here.

7. You pull into a gas station at 11 pm and literally cannot see through the windshield becuase of all thebug guts. You have to spend an extra 15 minutes just cleaning your windshield.

6. After several days of being in North Dakota and being with your sisters all day, everyday, they are already showing signs that your children are driving them nuts. Admit it, Brenna. I know you're annoyed.

5. After several days of being in North Dakota, you don't care that your sisters are annoyed with your children and you leave them with your sisters anyway to adventure into the closest city with a Wal-mart. Walmart has never looked so good.....did I mention that we had to drive at least 45 min to get to that Walmart? Okay, it really was like 1 1/2 hours because my mom drives like an old lady...seriously, mom....you CAN drive the speed limit. It's allowed!

4. On the third consecutive day of being a return "North Dakotan" you catch yourself mid sentence saying "Yah, you betcha!" or "Don-cha know?" Tonight, I caught myself saying the "correct" pronunciation of "tacos"......"taaaahhhh-cos". It's all coming back to me now. Next thing you know, I'll be asking for a "bay-g" (bag) or a "soooo-da" (as in soda pop for you non-North Dakotans).

3. After a few days of being in ND, you think you've seen it all and then Mother Nature shows you what it's like to REALLY have a storm. Lightening, thunder, and hail the size of softballs. Maybe, if you're really lucky, you'll get a tornado warning!! (Seriously, the last few trips we've had here, we've had some rockin' storms!)

2. On your way over to the next largest town (Lisbon, where I grew up), you see white caps on the slough. You then have to explain the term "slough" to your sheltered brother-in-law who has no clue what a "slough" is. And, if you don't know what a "slough" is, you probably don't belong here....

1. And, the #1 way to know you're in North Dakota is.....drumroll, please..... you have a mosquito bite on every square inch of your body!!

**I have plans for a "Tour of North Dakota" for the month of July....please stay tuned for a photo post of all the lovely things that I do LOVE about being here. It's home....always has been, always will be. And, although I jest in fun, I do LOVE it here. There are going to be a bazillion things to show you, but, I can only get dressed and leave the house a few times while I am here. So, stay tuned. I'm sure you're just itchin' to see all there is to see about the great state of North Dakota.**

P.S. I am not being paid as a tourism guide from the state of North Dakota. However, I will entertain offers....