August 3-7 (Minot ND)

We’re back in Minot for the next five days to catch our breaths and take a break from moving about. We had stayed at the Astoria Hotel previously when we made our way east and knew the king rooms have both a microwave and refrigerator. This makes it easy to eat in in order to save a few calories and money. Plus the location is perfect with Walmart (I got a haircut) and Home Depot within walking distance. The nearby mall also has a theatre so we were able to see the new Jason Bourne movie. While here we also gave the bikes a much needed scrub down, did a load of laundry and Jay was able to temporarily fix the starter switch on my bike that allows me to start the bike in gear. (the mechanism will need total replacement when we get home)

We are also a day ride from the International Peace Garden at the heart of the Turtle Mountains situated on the US/Canada border in Dunsieth, ND & Boissevain, Manitoba Canada. The botanical gardens are situated on North America’s 49^th Parallel, surrounded by 2, 339 acres of prairie wilderness, adjacent to Metigoshe State Park in North Dakota and next to Turtle Mountain Provincial Park in Manitoba.

The Civilians conservation Corps, the CCC, developed the site in the 1930’s and built the Historic Lodge and a number of other sites at the Garden. The International Music & Sports Camps were added in the 1950’s.

The Towers weren’t added until 1982 as a symbol of peace that reaches across the longest undefended border in the world. Unfortunately the managers of the Garden have had to erect a fence around the Tower as it has already begun to deteriorate and huge chunks of concrete have started to fall off. According to the signs a new monument will be erected but the timing and design have yet to be determined.

And for those of you who want the experience a border crossing this is a good place to do that. Even though you are only approx. 200 ft inside Canada we have to complete an "official" pass through Customs outside the garden entrance before heading back to Minot.

Misc factoid: this border crossing station plus the one we used in Sault Ste. Marie were undergoing extensive upgrading/construction. Sign of the times perhaps???

For fans of the International Peace Garden… binge on.