The Flat Earther's Might Be Right

It’s Day 6 and I’m currently writing from a laundromat in Regina Beach, Canada – at a gas station no less. Twelve dollars Canadian for a wash. At least we fit everything in one drum? Crossing my fingers that the $1.75 per dry number is accurate.

Sailboats and the John J. Boland Laker ship passing underneath the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge.

It’s been an interesting last few days as we’ve made our way across middle America – and middle Canada for that matter. After a lovely night in Duluth exploring downtown and getting to see the John J. Boland cross under the Aerial Lift Bridge, we set out for Devil’s Lake, North Dakota.

During our drive across the rest of Minnesota and into North Dakota we enjoyed a few stops at some worthwhile roadside attractions including the World’s Largest Northern Pike and Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Are we real road trippers now?

The World's Largest Northern Pike in Erskine, MN and Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox in Bemidji, MN.

I have also now come to know a new meaning of the word flat. However, North Dakota really is beautiful: open sky and views to the horizon line. Plus, it’s a bird paradise! Who knew? The state is a massive flyway for hundreds of species and we sure saw our fair share. This included the yellow-headed blackbird – which Brian truly thought I was lying about. But the biggest surprise? A white pelican. That’s right, there are pelicans in the prairie. As we drove, Brian and I thought we were seeing lots of swans... nope! Pelicans!

Our overnight in North Dakota took us down a very long dirt road to the edge of Devil’s Lake where we backed into an overnight spot next to someone’s house… interesting. The “campground” was a long-term spot for summer vacationers with some pretty impressive rigs sporting all manner of permanent porches, decks, and lawn ornaments. But the best part? Baby goats at a farm nearby who were more than happy for attention. My favorite quote of Brian’s from the night, “Nixon had the war on drugs, I have the war on dirty feet.”

Our campsite in Devil's Lake ND, complete with baby goats.

Yesterday we made a massive trek across truly some of the flattest land I’ve ever seen in my life. I’d liken our drive yesterday to flying – you know you’re moving, but you also don’t feel like you’re really getting anywhere. After crossing the exact middle point of the North American continent in Rugby North Dakota, our GPS seemed to keep taking us up and across, up and across, up and across, until finally, we reached the smallest border crossing hut I’ve ever seen in Elmore, North Dakota. When I tell you it was a garage, I’m not lying. Our border agent was incredibly chill and seemed to wonder if she really needed to ask us any questions. We were on our way in less than five minutes. Onto the plains of Saskatchewan.

And let me tell you… the plains of Saskatchewan go on for a very long, long, time.

The geographical center of the North American Continent in Rugby, ND. The plains of Saskatchewan, including a section that looked like the original Dell computer background. I also love the motto of Saskatchewan: "Land of the Living Skies."

At last we arrived at our campground in Regina Beach. It's a lovely spot tucked away just 40 minutes north of the city. We will enjoy a stopover day here to rest before continuing on tomorrow into Calgary and then up into Banff and Jasper!

Looks like my wash cycle is done!

More soon.

Sam & Brian