Rugby ND to Grand Forks MN

My plans were to finish the blog, shower/eat and run out of town.

Rugby just turned out to be an interesting little place and I got side tracked as I do a lot. 

 First off its the center of North America (dead center). I meet the director of the visitors center, Dondi Sobolik. This is one heck of a guy and a natural for several things. He ran a restaurant, then became director of this visitors center. Eleven years and he made a big difference. I suspect this guy will run for mayor some day, and win!

His plan was to have information on all 50 states, Canada because Rugby is the center of North America. He also got rid of all the gift type stuff because it competed with businesses in town. 

He said don't leave town without seeing the Prairie Village Museum. Run mostly by volunteers as I could gather..

in the rear is Gerald, front left is the curator Pamela Schmidt, center is Richard (95 young) and the right is Rose Klatt

 It was filled with the history from all around Rugby and surrounding townships.

 Everything that you could imagine that was part of my grandfathers era and even the time my own dad grew up on the farm. It took a lot of time, love and effort for this kind of place to come together. 

Most of the acquisitions were of donations.

 I met the original guy that developed and ran the place for a number of years. Richard is 95 years young, fit as a fiddle so to speak and still smokes cigarettes. I asked are you sure, you had better check it out while you are here.

 Also about an hour north is the "International Peace Park" bordering North Dakota and Canada. It has special exemption from both countries in regards to passports. Its kind of a neutral kind of place without interference of borders just co operation. (I restrained my self from the Peace Gardens) Also stop by Devils Lake right along the way to Ken's place could work. This lake had grown in size so  much that they have moved highways and houses out of the way. Since 1993 the lake has risen 28 feet and is at a 

peak (2000 year high from geology record)