Of Flowers, Farms, and Memories

 We have stumbled into a state at a time of year famous for a universally loved flower. The last week of July and the first two weeks of August see a burst of bright yellow from the thousands of acres of sunflowers in North Dakota. 

The state was inhabited for thousands of years by various Native American tribes, the Mandan, Ojibwe, Cree and Lakota, finding a hospitable land covered in prairie grasses, a staple of the Buffalo diet. This fertile land has continued to prove to be a great place to grow crops that are vitally important to our country. North Dakota is the largest producer in the U.S. of cereal grains and 53% of the country’s sunflower seeds. Today was sunflower day.

We headed north out of town along the Missouri River, along ND1804, enjoying a cloudy, cool day.

Thousands of acres of sunflowers, soybeans, and corn flanked our journey.

Along the way we stopped at a couple of historical points of interest. Painted Woods, and the story that was told, was particularly touching.

We also stopped at Double Ditch Indian Village. This encampment was in use from the 1400’s to 1785 and had a population of about 2,000 people. Little remains of the earth mound community on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River other than a plaque identifying the area. The name derives from the defensive ditches that were dug around the perimeter of the village, an outer one and an inner ditch apparently dug as the village became smaller.

Just north of Washburn, ND, we happened upon a statue commemorating the friendship that developed between Lewis and Clark, and the Mandan chief Sheheke during the first winter spent by the Corps of Discovery in 1804.

Along our journey we came up and personal with grain crops nearly ready for harvest.

The elevators used to store grain are quiet now, but will be busy in a few weeks.

We could not get enough of the beautiful sunflowers!

Our day has been saddened by the memory of our late Sister in Law. Today was her birthday. Linda was a vital member of an extended family, and a joy to be with. She is missed.

I trust there are joyous and abundant sunflowers in heaven, Linda!