I’m not a native of the state but am very pleased to call
this place home for the past 18 years. It’s true we only have two seasons up
here- winter and NOT winter. But honestly the state is beautiful no matter what
day of the year you might want to drop in. We are one of those states hip deep
in history. You can’t go more than a few miles before you see one of those
little signs “point of interest straight ahead”. I’ve been waiting for them to
put one of those at the end of my street but I think they lost my request to be
a point of interest. Teddy Roosevelt had a huge impact on the state during his
lifetime. When not in the white house or traveling abroad he was in or around
North Dakota and his two ranches. “It was here the romance of my life began” is
supposed to be a quote about his love of this state. We owe a great debt to
Teddy and even today we have the town of Medora that is only open during the
summer. It has a dinner show and a very quaint atmosphere. It’s not hard to
imagine what life was like back before running water. Our primary source of
income these days is oil but we’ll always have Teddy’s legacy to share when the
well runs dry. 
We are also the epicenter of some really amazing scientific
finds. A few years ago we were fortunate to find the first “Dino Mummy”. They
named him “Dakota” and he was featured on all the NatGeo channels. For nearly a
year everyone was abuzz about the first and only dino autopsy. Since then more
and more fossils have been unearthed giving scientist valuable data about what
dinosaurs REALLY looked like. I’m not sure there will ever be a definitive
answer about what they looked like as each generation of explorers 
In addition to all the official accolades we also have the
unofficial ones of being the state with the most car farms and abandoned farm
houses. I’m sure we’re going to end up on some vintage car TV show or pickers
delight hour with all the treasures we have hidden in the overgrown brush. It
was the prospect of what I could find in an abandoned farm house that gave me
the idea for my book “The Ghost Story”. Between General Custer’s old home front
and a leaning three story farm house at the end of a dusty dirt road I found
while exploring my characters sprang to life. 
Barnes and Noble bookstore in December 2016.
Nook Book: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/reviews/the-ghost-story-aeryn-traxx/1026636840?ean=2940149581689
Website: http://www.aeryntraxx.webs.com/
Bio: Aeryn Traxx writes gay romance with a hint of the
paranormal. Along with three dogs and a life partner she has put roots down in
small town North Dakota, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the big
city. After a lengthy break from writing Aeryn is back and hopes to have a
follow–up novel ready for fans of “Were is He” by 2016.
Aeryn gives two journal pen and pencil gift sets to the lucky people who comment and win the draw! Good luck!
(all info provided by author)
Aeryn gives two journal pen and pencil gift sets to the lucky people who comment and win the draw! Good luck!
(all info provided by author)
I have never been to North Dakota but have always considered that a failure of my character. More convinced by this essay than ever that it is a place to drive though, I am considering purchasing a clunker and planting it somewhere — from the sound of it anywhere in the sate will do — and wait for it to turn into oil; presumably the natural produce of car farms is petroleum. It may be a rough ride, but will surely be worth sticking to it. (All puns intended.)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your vivid description of North Dakota. We in the lower states get as far as South Dakota and stop. We need to visit Teddy Roosevelt's great love.
ReplyDeleteTeddy Roosevelt's writings about his ranch days and history were among favorite readings in my boyhood. That, along with interest in the Lakota and other native peoples and the dinosaur, should have brought me to your state long before this. Enjoyed your insights.
ReplyDeleteNice! I grew up in eastern Montana, so we were neighbors with ND! My college roommate was from Dickinson. I know what you mean about winter and NOT winter! Good luck with your writing and marketing!
ReplyDeleteWe've made it as far west as South Dakota, and even had the time to spend a couple of days in Wyoming one year...but we've never been to North Dakota. We hope to change that someday. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete