There are so many beautiful churches throughout North Dakota. And it's no surprise considering North Dakota has the most churches per capita in the U.S. Let's take a look at 10 of the most beautiful churches in North Dakota.
1. A country church in Grand Forks County, North Dakota.
2. Vang Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manfred, North Dakota.
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3. A picturesque church in Chaseley, North Dakota.
4. Cathedral of St. Mary in Fargo, North Dakota.
5. The First English Free Lutheran Church of Lostwood, North Dakota. This church was built between the years 1922-1923.
6. An Episcopal church in Linton, North Dakota. Photo taken in 1909.
7. Eastern Orthodox Church in Wilton, North Dakota.
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8. A charming church in Bentley, North Dakota.
9. Caanan Church in Addison, North Dakota.
10. An abandoned Lutheran church located in the ghost town of Arena, North Dakota.
This is just a short list of the many beautiful churches located in North Dakota. There are so many more than this. Is there a church (not listed) in your town/city that you consider to be absolutely beautiful? If so, please share.
If you've ever found yourself cruising along I-94 and passing Exit 200, you might have noticed something a little odd on the not-so-distant horizon. It's an enormous statue of a sandhill crane and, upon first glance, one doesn't usually get the whole picture of just how large it is. Upon coming closer, however, the full scale of this North Dakota roadside attraction becomes clear; standing at an impressive 40 feet high, this particular sandhill crane's name is, appropriately, Sandy, and she's the town of Steele's way of honoring her fascinating and resilient species. This sandhill crane statue in North Dakota has a truly interesting reason for being, and her construction was one heck of a labor of love.
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The wildlands of North Dakota are a wild and beautiful place; it's definitely one of those states where you ought to expect the unexpected at all times.
This particular region is known as the Coteau Rangeland, and it's a favorite location for nesting migratory birds - namely, the beautiful sandhill crane.
Tucked behind the Cobblestone Inn and Suites just off Exit 200 on the I-94, a monster of a crane looms overhead, watching the surrounding world, waiting for something that will (probably) never come.
The sandhill crane is a remarkable species, having gone relatively unchanged for more than 2 million years. This evolutionary perfection, so to speak, offers it tremendous benefits in terms of survival. After all, we don't fix what isn't broken, right?
So, what is this giant sandhill crane's story? A local farmer-turned-artist by the name of James Miller was contacted about the creation of an enormous monument to one of North Dakota's most intriguing critters.
He enthusiastically accepted the challenge and got to work; soon enough, he sent his drawings and plans to create a giant steel skeleton, which he spent months building upon and perfecting.
Miller had his own shop, and he created all three pieces of the statue there.
The body was one segment, the head and neck another, and the legs the final. The legs were fabricated with pipe, and the rest of the bird was created with rolled sheet metal. James was the right artist for this job, though; his experience in creating sheet metal art ensured that this project would go very well - and it did.
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This North Dakota sandhill crane statue was officially erected where it stands in 1999, after at least a year of building and preparation.
The statue was funded by - and is taken care of to this day by - members of the world's largest sandhill crane foundation, which is located right here in the town of Steele.
Come hang out with Sandy the Sandhill Crane in ND, and take some pictures; she loves the attention!
Sandy is a reminder of how lucky we are to have these beautiful, ancient birds in our little corner of the world. The (perhaps unintentional) irony of the statue being made of a steel frame and sheet work in the town of Steele, North Dakota, isn't lost on us, either.
Have you ever wondered about this sandhill crane statue in North Dakota? Have you ever seen it? Our state's willingness to support monuments like this make us proud of our North Dakota roots. How about you? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. Need some more offbeat things to do in North Dakota? Check out this road trip that takes you to some of the best weird hidden gems in our little state!
A castle in North Dakota? It may be unbelievable, but there is the Enchanted Castle in Regent, ND that stands out. This majestic school-turned-castle has become a hotel destination as well as a dining one. Hiding inside is perhaps the best steakhouse in North Dakota, not only for the cool atmosphere but also for the food itself. Check it out:
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The Enchanted Castle in Regent, North Dakota turns heads.
The castle was built out of an old school in the town and transformed into a medieval-themed hotel, tavern, and steakhouse.
Both inside and out, it is all things medieval, including suits of armor, swords, banners, and all sorts of royal décor awaiting discovery by visitors.
Inside the castle, the Excalibur Steakhouse is certainly one of the most unique in North Dakota.
As you'd expect with a steakhouse, their main staple is thick, juicy steaks.
Prime rib, filets, ribeye, sirloins, and more are all available and always cooked to perfection. Carnivores will love it!
Along with great steaks, Excalibur also has plenty of fish, crab, chicken, and burgers, too.
There is also Medievals Tavern, if you enjoy beer, to quench your thirst and eat a fine selection of food, as well.
Finish off your meal with a dessert fit for royalty.
In the end, you'll be glad you came and experienced this enchanting castle and fantastic eatery.
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For a full menu, hours, reservations, and contact information, visit the Enchanted Castle website. You can also see more delicious pics on the Enchanted Castle Facebook page.
Have you ever been to the Excalibur Steakhouse Would you agree it's one of the best steakhouses In North Dakota? If you've been here before, we'd love to read about your experience in the comments section!