North Dakota

EXPLORE IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS – The Lewis and Clark Expedition spent an entire winter in North Dakota, more time than in any other state. Follow their footsteps at numerous locales throughout the state, including Knife River National Historic Site, where they first met Sacagawea, near present-day Stanton. There are reconstructed Native American lodges here, an archaeological site, and a 1 _-mile self-guided walking tour.

ACROSS THE PLAINS – North Dakota is a good place to get a feel for the Great Plains, which stretch from here south and west. Vast stretches of the plains, with elk, antelope, coyotes and, of course, prairie dogs, cover many parts of the state, but especially the area between Dickinson and Little Missouri in the west. You may even see some bison, which some groups are actively trying to re-introduce to the plains.

ZERO HOUR – It’s not your typical tourist attraction, but the Oscar Zero Missile Site near Cooperstown, and many others like it across the West, is pretty signifi cant for baby boomers who lived through the Cold War. Since the U.S. and Russia scaled back their nuclear arsenals, many missile sites have been dismantled. This one was turned into a historic site, where you can tour the underground launch facilities.