EMPTY NORTH DAKOTA - And The Surprising Small Towns I Found There

[@cecoya]

209 sw 1st ave $200k and under contract 4 bd 1 1/2 bath, beautiful inside as well

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Sounds pretty good!

[@69eddieD]

Nice! $200K wouldn't buy the lot my house sits on. What a bargain!

[@kevinlupson6063]

I live in New Zealand this house is quite impressive i'd live there. love these videos

[@AllenGraetz]

Sounds great until you try paying that mortgage with an $16 / hr job at the beet plant.

[@AllenGraetz]

Note that the median family income for people living in the city limits of Hillsboro is $42K.

[@paulwangler]

I grew up in North Dakota. Amazing, peaceful state that, due to lack of "things to do," forces a person to become self-sufficient in finding ways to enjoy life. I love it.

[@zombieapocalypse3837]

It sounds splendid, any room for a retiree looking for a small-town values.

[@carolmoline6490]

I got a couple of horses

[@shyviking]

Looks very different than Denmark, where I am from. A lot less compact than the typical small town or countryside in Denmark. The interesting thing is, that - as I understand it - many of the inhabitants in North Dakota are descended from scandinavians.

[@KaLiGr]

Hey, Id like to ask you whether gays can also live in North Dakota. How is that place for gays and lgbt community? Would you accept me living there with my husband or would you have a problem with me?

[@zombieapocalypse3837]

@@KaLiGr I don't live in North Dakota, but I couldn't help but notice your home page has a picture of Mount Rushmore, which is in South Dakota. Is that your home state or do you just like Mount Rushmore?

[@JohnTreadgold-es8og]

Really respect these people in small towns who keep things looking so nice. Thanks for showcasing these small towns

[@DanR-d5w]

It's mostly the (high) taxes doing their thing through the government.

[@sonpham-hc1sv]

Because 91% white

[@jockorabeni4618]

Because of 89 percent Germans and Swedes and Norwegians (St. Olaf Lutheran Church!). Plus there are no potholes on the roads.

[@ericscottstevens]

One of the only videos without junked cars precariously parked or piled high upon each other. North Dakota is doing it right!

[@jamesroberts2115]

I was stationed at Grand Forks AFB 1971-72 and worked security on the Minuteman missile sites spread out over eastern North Dakota. Went through many of these small towns. Bleak in the winter time but surprisingly nice during the summer. Those vast fields of amber grain waving in the wind always impressed me.

[@erikthorne]

The control center on the Dahlen road off of Highway 32 is less than a mile north of where my grandparents farmed.

[@marksnyder8697]

Stationed there in 1976-1980, nice summers as you say. I worked in Air Freight, we worked 3 on 3 off. A bunch of us would go to Minnesota to a lake and camp and fish for 3 days,each week during the summer. Went to the boundary waters in Minnesota and canoed for a week. Do not miss the winters, live in Indiana now.

[@xlerb2286]

I just drove past Hillsboro and Mayville a couple weeks ago and am going to be driving past them again today. All those small towns along I-94 and Highway 2 are nice towns. They're all quiet, low crime, affordable housing prices. Job opportunities vary with the smaller towns having fewer opportunities. But if you can work remote that's not so much an issue. For all the talk winters here aren't really that bad. It's cold yes but the houses are built for it. So you go from a warm building to a warm car. And it's only a few weeks of the year where you may get the bitter cold weather. It's all in what you want. For me the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

[@68hitnmiss76]

It’s amazing how all the grass is mowed. Very neat and clean little towns

[@MadelineRose-ep7fj]

Not one piece of litter or graffiti!😊

[@edgregory1]

Not amazing. It's expected.

[@daydays12]

that is not ecological - eliminates flowers, insects, butterflies etc...like the rest of the place it is car dominated asphalt and concrete waste land - the hatred of organic life is palpable

[@68hitnmiss76]

@@edgregory1 I guess it’s expected where I am also but I guess it depends a lot on society and income maybe, a lot of towns around me (I’m in the country now Thank God) the town I grew up in 1/2 or more of the houses are now falling apart or down and look like the slums. needless to say those neighborhoods look like jungles. People have no pride anymore. That’s why I say it’s amazing. Those places remind me of how my hometown used to be. 🥰

[@fumanpoo4725]

​@@daydays12Turn that frown upside down!😂

[@anubisgodofgods]

What I noticed is the lack of litter. I live in the metro Atlanta area and you can't go five feet without seeing trash on the ground. Its in all the streets and blows into all the yards. People ride around throwing trash out the window and other people leaving convenience stores and gas stations on foot throwing their trash on the ground. I'm glad to see that their are still decent people who respect their community left somewhere in this country.

[@9876karthi]

🤡🤡🤡

[@DanR-d5w]

A very few people live and go out to the streets there. No humans = no litter

[@toma5153]

No graffiti as well.

[@markpreston6930]

The locals in rural states dump trash in forests and lakes. Mainers dump tires, junk and trash deep in the woods where it can’t be seen from roads.

[@KristNi]

I moved to the Dakotas from Atlanta and I'm enjoying fresh, clean air and streets

[@lisaadams6753]

My niece and I live in Grand Forks and we often do small road trips to the small local towns. This has put a fire under us. We are ready to go!!

[@daydays12]

🙂

[@rickolson-51]

I'm from GF (many years ago) also now living in Oregon. Still have family there.

[@jonathanlee5185]

👍Hey, Joe, the geezer on the lawnmower waved how-do at you. Nice folk 👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You're right!

[@dopeMike_]

I waived with my pointer finger in the air and nodded because I don't know him.

[@Mekinhumbel]

@@dopeMike_ If you know you know lol

[@hzhz3469]

I just love small towns where everyone knows each other. Where time doesn't pass quickly. When you are aware of all the events of the town. When you are part of a community and have a voice that truly has power. Thanks for the video! As always, very interesting to watch.

[@marzymarrz5172]

A guy who grew up there told me it was a great place to grow up. Hunting, fishing, wild and open spaces.

[@jppagetoo]

My dads family came into the US through Ellis Island from Sweden. They were sent out to North Dakota to build a life there. Nekoma is the town they were sent to. That was tough in that era. Sod houses, brutal winters. In the 1930's the dust bowl came. Most (but not all) of my family left Nekoma for the auto industry in Michigan. I have been to Nekoma to see where my family was from. There was a military base in Nekoma in the 1960's. That is gone now and Nekoma is slowly fading to nothing.

[@erikthorne]

It was the 1970's. Your ancestors chose to go to North Dakota and the dust bowl never really affected that area like other areas. What drove people out was crop prices and the Depression. I am a University of North Dakota grad with a history degree, geography degree and a master's in human geography from there. What you are talking about is what I studied. You say your dad's family went to Michigan? Usually people went west not east. Considering during the 30's it was not like Detroit was booming.

[@ffarmchicken]

They are going to use the pyramid to store computer data. The problem will be keeping workers. There is nothing to do out there like Austin or the Bay Area. And the weather is brutal most of the time.

[@jppagetoo]

@@erikthorne I spent many hours with my grand mother asking questions about her childhood out there in ND. I asked her "How did you end up in Flint?" She told me. She said the dust bowl in Nekoma was horrible. She described what happened. Crops failed, animals starved, and dirt everywhere blowing into peoples homes. There was no way to make money so you can say it was economics that drove them away but they were also pushed along hard by the dust bowl conditions. Her brother had a job in the auto factories in Flint Michigan and he got them in there over a period of a couple years. I never thought to ask her how he did that (I realize it was the depression) and my Great Uncle who did that was long gone. I have a really neat book my uncle Melvin (my grammas brother) got at a class reunion called "Nekoma - the first 100 years" It tells the story of how Nekoma was founded and the people. My family is in the book. I still had family there into the 1990's.

[@erikthorne]

@@jppagetoo I will put it very simply your grandma was feeding you BS. I have written research papers on the subject and all four sets of my great-grandparents were farming with 30 miles of Nekoma going back to the 1890's. I still own farmland there.

[@jppagetoo]

@@erikthorne OK. I have no reason to doubt her story other than your assertion. Maybe she felt it was worse than it was? Possible, she was a very young woman and peoples memories are far from perfect. I can't ask anymore, all of the Nekoma part of my family are gone (my gramma was born in 1917 and died in 2012 and she was the last of the Swanson children). According to the Nekoma book, all but 2 of the family left Nekoma by the end of 1936 (ish). If she was gone by '36 that meant she was at most 19 when she came to Michigan. Surprisingly the Nekoma book discusses the early sod busting and the miltary base eras quite a bit but large swaths of decades the are left undiscussed. I quote from the Nekoma book "Crowded on three sides by settlement the pre-Nekoma area was part of a VEE shaped formation shunned by settlers due to it's reputation for frequent and early frosts." So the area was a more difficult place to grow anything. So add in some drought and the area was likely a tough farming proposition in the 1930's. How big was that VEE? I don't know. Was it dust bowl bad? I don't know, but it there is evidence that this little town had a handicap that other nearly communities did not. BTW: This book was written by the residents of Nekoma and published in 1980. The authors are given but I do not know much about them. The family histories in the book were related by the families. They are first hand accounts.

[@poowg2657]

I 've been through North Dakota numerous times. Great people, great state. Thanks for another excellent tour!

[@roberthenry9319]

All of Joe & Nic's videos have been enjoyable, informative, and very much worth watching. This one in North Dakota seems especially good. Perhaps it because it is a look into what may be the least known and least understood state in the U.S., but it may also be because Joe & Nic's filming, editing and content keep getting better and better. "Joe & Nic's Road Trip Videos" are becoming an American treasure in much the same way as author William Least Heat Moon's awesome book on little known yet marvelous American places "Blue Highways" has. Am looking forward to all that is to come from Joe and Nic. Cannot thank you folks enough. R. Henry, M.D.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you, R Henry!!!

[@JimBEATTIE-os1jk]

Yes Blue Highway was the great travel book you just reminded me to read it again I have it sitting on my bookcase

[@marcodebarkingville1827]

Classic beautifully preserved Americana. Hollywood could come here to do 40's, 50's, 60's movies and hardly spend a dollar on sets. Really liked this one.👏👍

[@jgringo5516]

Keep them away. They’ll ruin it.

[@edwinbergstresser7779]

I loved NOrth Dakota for its history. My son was called to Grand Forks Air Force Base. We visited few towns around. We love them there. I will love to live there when retired from Lutheran deaf ministry. My stress relieved when visited there. I asked my son if he would settle down. He would not. Too cold! I understand. North Dakotans, enjoy your life as I am impressed.

[@shanew.williams]

My though exactly. The scenery with the huge grain silo's & flat terrain reminds me of the 50's movie "Picnic" with William Holden.

[@KaLiGr]

@@marcodebarkingville1827 Hey, Id like to ask you whether gays can also live in north dakota? How is that place for gays and lgbt community? Would you accept me living there?

[@Yawndave]

"The moral of the story is be nice to people." -- How true, especially when traveling. Being pleasant and courteous to the folks you meet along the way makes for a good experience all around. As far as these towns "checking all the boxes", I'd agree with you...except for the the box that says "freezing cold about 4 months out of the year" 🙂 But seriously, despite being "empty", my visits to North Dakota have always been most enjoyable. On to the land of 10,000 lakes...happy trails!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Right!

[@atatterson6992]

You sound as if "empty" is a bad thing..??..

[@dopeMike_]

@@atatterson6992 Thats Texan for "I agree with you"

[@darthwiizius]

Most of all don't be a snob, don't read a book by it's cover.

[@ThePossumfan]

My Great Uncle Clem Gust built that oil can tree many many yrs ago. It was out by I 94 interchange yrs ago. I am from west fargo my family were all farmers from page down south to Durbin N.Dak.. love the video!

[@janetwika6002]

We watch your videos and enjoy seeing all the places that you visit. Was totally shocked to see that you visited Hillsboro and drove by our home. You do a great job telling about the towns. Safe travels.

[@atatterson6992]

Oh how I envy you Janet... Enjoy your peace :)

[@deanhoward8155]

I noticed Doolittles Grill had walleye on the menu. I was hoping one of you 2 would order it. I live in Knoxville and in the south the only sure way to eat walleye it seems, is to first catch one in the lake. I HAVE heard of walleye being sold in the grocery stores occasionally but have yet to see it for myself. Northern restaurants seem to have more varieties of delicious fish on their menus, including bluegill for instance.Take advantage of it lol.

[@tumbleweed57]

I visited the Theodore Roosevelt National Park on the west side of ND several years ago. Such beautiful landscapes and wildlife! The people of ND were so very nice and pleasant to talk with. Would love to go back again.

[@atatterson6992]

Did you notice the correlation between those people you saw and talked with in ND, compared to the big city people you see but can't talk with? I do.

[@jburnett8152]

So fun visiting small towns. North Dakotas are quant and charming. I thought you might see more folks out and about on such a beautiful day.

[@Motovationnation]

Quant and charming? Yeah right. I've lived in North Dakota my whole life. Neighbors don't even talk to each other.

[@jburnett8152]

@Motovationnation So sad. Surprised to hear that.

[@delvictor7570]

They’re all at work or in school.

[@codymoe4986]

@@Motovationnation Me too. And I talk to many of my neighbors, daily... Ever think that the problem, was YOU?

[@codymoe4986]

@@jburnett8152 You should be, because it is absolutely false.

[@darranbrown270]

nice to see that cinema in Mayville still in operation

[@mikesaunders4775]

I have made two fairly extensive trips to the USA but I have learnt so much more about this vast country from Joe and Nic's road trips. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to visit hitherto unknown small towns as well as the major cities ,with knowledgeable commentary on the history and the architecture of these places as well as a great visual feast of the surrounding land. Many thanks from England.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Mike!

[@brianquilty687]

I live in southern Manitoba Canada just 13 miles from the North Dakota boarder. Have been to many of their towns and cities but not the ones you have visited except Fargo. Same thing here ...... brutal winters.

[@atatterson6992]

Brutal winters vs. Crime ridden hell hole Give me the brutal winters

[@gary5717]

Texting from Ireland, beautiful little town, absolutely spotless and the buildings immaculate. That’s the way I think of American small towns.

[@dopeMike_]

Slainte!

[@buckeyedav1]

Its the way it use to be I miss that.. preteen we lived in a small town called Richwood, Ohio. Population even today is only 2000 in part I think because of the Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio brought in more people to my small hometown. Anna In Ohio

[@curtiseggemeyer5681]

Amazing towns with culture that is still carried on, they care about their communities. I know most of America used to have much of this. I loved the video , it was awesome.

[@allendiaz9031]

Love you spend time looking at the old architecture and it"s beauty, which will never be done again.

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

Wow. I played a round of golf in Hillsboro with my father in laws friend back in the mid eighties. My wife grew up on the other side of the Red River in a small town of maybe two hundred called Hendrum. The wife still has relatives in the area.

[@cecoya]

Some beautiful towns for sure and worth looking into for living full time. I can handle the cold alot better than the heat any day. Have a great day

[@bettyb1581]

Same here I love cold weather

[@WillLavelle1]

I used to deliver for FedEx out of Fargo, ND and Mayville/Portland were the first towns I would hit on one of my routes. I love those towns, very peaceful, everything is kept in nice shape, and everyone there is nice. And there are so many towns just like them. Peaceful way of life.

[@catlover614]

An awesome video ! Great little towns, and some lovely old theatres and churches ! Beautiful old buildings downtown ! Thanks so much, Joe and Nic, enjoyable as always.🥰

[@claregale9011]

It facinates me that Americans consider early 1800s old , I'm from England and our local church is 1080 . 😊

[@darthwiizius]

@@claregale9011 My town is not much older than 100 years old but still has a 12th century church in use (Larry Olivier's dad was the vicar there when the town was still 3 villages and watched the town get built over the one it's named after, the one with the 12th century church, in the early 20th century. The other two ore on the edges and still retain their village feel), we do have a couple of chavvy new builds from like the 15th century or something too though (in the other two villages) can't all be nice and classical I suppose.

[@DrewJess717]

Hillsboro was a fun stop, Joe. Really enjoy your journey and bringing us along. Your show is MUST SEE TV for me. Appreciate it!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!!

[@PattyHamilton-kv1pz]

Beautifully kept homes and properties. Very impressive. ND, keep it going great work.❤

[@craigj5403]

When visiting downtown St. Paul the James J. Hill house is impressive. I live in Fargo, yes the weather sucks in the winter, come spring everyone comes out of their hibernation and the mingling starts up in our neighborhood again.

[@713tilidierippimpc5]

I'm huge on weather, I assume it's dry year round out there? I'm from/live in Houston TX and we're humid 80% of the year it sux lol

[@poowg2657]

​@@713tilidierippimpc5 They get their fair share of blizzards and severe thunderstorms. We get some of that here in Northern Wisconsin too.

[@belle6219]

@@713tilidierippimpc5 I live in Fargo. It does get up into the 80's and 90's in the summer, but you're right, it's dry and breezy. I rarely turn on my air conditioner.

[@713tilidierippimpc5]

@belle6219 makes me wanna move up there. Houston is wayyy too humid and I've lived here all my life. Can never get used to it. Plus it makes our food go bad way quicker than in drier regions smh

[@tomfields3682]

@@713tilidierippimpc5 🥵

[@ryan70100]

Great video from a resident of Michigan ND 👍🏻👍🏻 have visited all these towns many times. Very cold winters but we make do. Wouldn’t live anywhere else, thank you for making this video

[@mattkirk2482]

The nicest towns I have seen so far. What a beautiful university building. Great channel. Loving, loving it

[@Mariel_Moon]

Beautiful small towns. I would love to take pictures there. I'm from Sweden so I would not have problem with winters there 😅👍🏼

[@donborvio]

Lots of Swedish and Norwegians settled in the area (ND, SD, MN, etc) because of the similarities to home.

[@charlest.tatumjr.7241]

Yep, I was a Texas-born Air Force Brat, but my forever home for the last four decades has been North Dakota!

[@Islandgirl2133]

Hi! I’m a Texas born AF Brat too! Carswell AFB 1960. 🖖🖐🏼

[@evanorthcliff2782]

Whenever we see a town with those silos it seems they make more money. Good paychecks working there.

[@MillennialSmark2]

Can't get anymore cowboy than that 🤠

[@UncleRobsGarage]

I moved out of North Dakota to Texas.

[@Kitalpha100]

Wow, absolutely blissful. Thanks Joe for the lovely video.

[@NewHaven203]

I’ve been watching this channel for years and I can’t believe the amount of small towns and cities you guys have covered! I don’t think any other KZbin channel has done what you have done!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I actually counted a week ago, and we've visited 668 small towns and cities so far!

[@billyhuskey333]

If not for the frigid winters this is where I would love to be. The tranquility would be amazing, some people would call it boredom!

[@michaelvandyke6715]

The winters keep the riff Raff away ..

[@rajeevdeshpande7666]

Hi Joe Thanks for this wonderful piece of video of small towns in ND. Enjoyed.

[@406dn7]

My mother was born and raised in Mayville. My grandparents immigrated from Norway and settled in Mayville. I graduated from high school and college in Fargo. I left North Dakota after college and don't get back very often. I knew you were in the Red River valley, as soon as the video started.

[@Nigmax1991]

why you left ND?

[@cdeschrevel5341]

Thanks again for your dedication and super videos!

[@gaylordfrancisco8928]

It's so nice to see the guy in the mower waving hi. Higher in crime but they are friendly for sure. Thanks for the wonderful trip Joe and Nic

[@atatterson6992]

Higher in crime? In ND?

[@rhondahaux2799]

​@atatterson6992 and where is this crime rate at, in. My town no one locks doors windows or even. Their cars, no. Crime rate in central North dakota our kids are safe to play out side our schools do not have security like other states and cour schools. Always rank high in state wide tests it's a great safec place to raise a family it may get a bit breezy at times and cold but that is bearable, the 9nly time. We hear police ormedical or fire sirens is at parades. And people are friendly and helpful if a person. Gets sick or something terrible happens someone from. Theirctown. Always sets up some type of benefit to help. Collect funds or needed items for them. And most towns. Church's out number bars. So. If. Some one would be living in a area of northdakota with crime all they need to do is. Check out. The small towns in the state that are. Less populated and. Mostly seniors that is where the good life is

[@morganm9040]

Excellent presentation as usual. North Dakota has it going on for sure. Charming and healthy small towns. That molten cake looks incredible.

[@danielhutchinson6604]

I hauled a few pieces of machinery into the Beet Plant there. The Union Jobs do seem to be pretty well rewarded. In January when the wind is blowing, they need to pay you a good wage, to convince You to Face it going to the Plant.

[@chrisaufdermaur]

Dear Nic and Joe thank you for that great video. Once I lived in Canada (BC and Saskatchewan) and we visited North Dakota a few times. Your video brings back old memories ...I think North Dakota is a great state.

[@BrianMurfitt]

Hillsboro looked a really nice town and it was quaint with a Midwestern character and I loved the old movie theater in Mayville. That's American heritage that should be protected.

[@BrianMurfitt]

@HarisP000 Unfortunately a lot of it has now been demolished or left to rot. What gets me about the American government is they don't think twice about spending billions of 💵 on space missions, but won't spend a penny on American cultural heritage like the old movie theaters! 🙄💸

[@skylersadventures]

Small towns out in the middle of nowhere. These are your best videos Joey. I just watched your video on fort Sumner NM for the 6th time. You show these towns that no one else is recording these videos will be watched for generations!! Right now for adventure purposes then later on for historical purposes.

[@thecolneranger1588]

Whenever i watch these videos i love the wide roads and large detached houses, such spaciousness we in the south east of uk can only dream of. There are many countries in the world with so much land, US, Australia, Russia etc I think we all need to spread out a little more!

[@freetrailer4poor]

1000 people own 90% of the uk. You should limit land to 1 acre.

[@ericscarfe8543]

Lovely clean towns, no litter, no graffiti. Nice to see people taking pride in those ND locations.

[@rolandbosley1174]

Yep, it's sure clean 'cos I don't see a single person out and about...... it's dead!

[@yonmusak]

@@rolandbosley1174 They're at work dingus

[@MrKongatthegates]

no kids. no jobs, unless you find one somewhere. Too cold to survive without shelter. No government help, so if your family cant help you, you better move somewhere warmer or with jobs. Its not good government, its just harsh circumstances. You have to earn your keep, which is a good thing, but people have a bit of a twisted view of themselves in these little towns. Cliques and sometimes nose in the air a bit

[@keithhyttinen8275]

"Clean". Uh huh

[@SajjadKhan-jn7cw]

wonderful video thanks for sharing joe and Nic 👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks 👍

[@dfree1here]

My goodness, North Dakota has come a long way! Those plates looked delicious!❤ Not what I would expect from a small town there!😱🙂

[@atatterson6992]

You are sadly misguided. Small towns like that are exactly where you find plates like that. You really need to get out more.

[@dfree1here]

@@atatterson6992 Sorry didn’t mean to offend. I am from CA and we no longer have that type of meal much anymore, more into ethnic variations. Maybe you need to get out more.

[@atatterson6992]

@@dfree1here Thanks, but I'll pass on the ethnic variations. I'm a comfort food kinda guy as well as an Americana kinda guy. I miss the culture I grew up with, as did my parents, and their parents, and their parents, and theirs.. ad infinitum. Its a shame we're the only ones not allowed to revere, appreciate and respect our culture. We're instead expected to embrace "ethnic variations" and many of us are over it. Thanks anyways.

[@45AMT]

Lived in ND from 2004-2009 When I was in the military. I remember those Hardware Hank stores in eastern ND. Not a lot of people there because the winters are terrible. Chicago winters ain't got nothing on ND. Just about every restaurant has Walleye on the menu, but no trip to ND is complete without a plate of lutefisk.😏

[@janderson2556]

You don't understand the winter till you experience them. Best 7 months of the year... And yes, lutefisk, torso, and lefse are a must!!

[@johngalanti1010]

What the heck is lutefisk,torso and lefse???

[@jons.14]

Lutefisk is fish that has been fermented using lye. It's smell is off putting and it's texture is questionable. And taste is acquired. Lefsa is a thin doughy pastry with cinnamon sugar and butter. The other I cannot help with, but knoephla soup is amazing!

[@dopeMike_]

@@jons.14 Almost sounds Macedonian.

[@joeroganjosh9333]

@@dopeMike_Swedish. The food is good but don’t get the lutefisk, get meatballs!

[@bar9973]

I was stationed at Minot AFB, ND (1963-1967) and my wife and I enjoyed living downtown after we married in 1965. She worked at a nursing home and I was a Pharmacy Specialist (862nd Medical Group). I mostly worked at the base dispensary but sometimes at the John Moses Air Force Hospital in town. Minot was a good place to live back then but many of the smaller towns I visited were somewhat hostile to outsiders. Although the state is mostly flat, Minot had some nice hills around it. It's known as “The Magic City” and the local radio station would play a song called “Why Not Minot, That’s My Wonderful Town”. My Aunt Elaine was from the small town of Enderlin where the people were relatively friendly. I’ll be checking to see if you have videos about Minot and Enderlin. I was born in DC and lived in Maryland until we moved to St Paul MN in October 1956 when I was 12. So I’ll be watching your St Paul video also. In 1964 I bought my first vehicle, a 1956 Dodge Coronet. I drove it up to Winnipeg with my future wife and decided to see how fast it could go between Grand Forks and the Canadian border. US 81 had virtually no traffic and the Dodge reached a speed of 108 mph. A light rain was falling in Winnipeg making the evening more gloomy as we parted for her to take the Great Northern Winnipeg Limited back to St Paul. “The Kid” written by Buddy Mondlock (also sung by Peter, Paul & Mary) reminded me of that sad April evening with the lyrics: And as we’re walking toward the train station There’s a whispering rainfall ‘Cross the boulevard you slip your hand in mine In the distance the train calls I drove the Dodge across Manitoba and tried to cross into ND at The Peace Garden but the rain turned to snow in the higher elevations of the Turtle Mountains. I ended up sleeping in the car at the border because a big truck was blocking the highway on the U.S. side. In the morning I drove back into Canada and took Hwy 83 down to Minot.

[@ztl2505]

Isolation and bad weather keeps it cheap. Interior Alaska is probably the only place you’ll find in the US with colder weather than the Red River Valley.

[@yeoldmetalhead6592]

great insight, thanks

[@darmony9153]

Amen to that. I grew up there and now live in LA. After 50 years in California I freeze if it gets below 60.

[@dopeMike_]

Steve Wallis would agree.

[@mrmarkymark77]

@@ztl2505 yup , cold cold!

[@codymoe4986]

The record low temp was set in Parshall, and no where near the Red River Valley.

[@stephens9462]

I grew up in a small city in neighboring Minnesota in the 70s-early 80s (Winona) so a similar environment to ND today I’m guessing. Although it’s more rural there and it’s farther north. Has a lot of good points but yeah I now live in the South, where a brutal winter day is in the 50s, for a reason.

[@buzzsah]

Back in 90-91 My bride and I stayed in a little town of 160 called Wasta SD. On the way we stopped at a little town that had a building made with corn cob siding and artwork.

[@theamerican7131]

you are talking about south dakota and the building with the corn is called the corn palace in Mitchell SD

[@Patti-xh6bu]

Thank you for sharing Joe, beautiful state. Awesome the food 👀 looks , so delicious Awesome video.🤗

[@kevinhoock9742]

The Scallops & Veggies get's the nod ! Enjoy all your adventures and learn a lot !

[@johngalanti1010]

I agree. Looked super delicious 😋!

[@towertone]

Last few years I have criss-crossed the Dakotas and Minnesota and seen how nice and well kept almost all of the rural areas are. Even the few dying town towns were mostly in good shape. Then I went through the Turtle Mountain area....Night and Day. Thanks BIA!! Don't see THAT on your website... 🤔

[@yvesfrancoisritmo]

You two should print a book about the restaurants you go to! I want to go to this restaurant in Fargo - both main dishes (grilled scallops are the best and that fish looked incredible as well) and the desserts sounds AMAZING! Thanks for this episode - did not know of this area in North Dakota.

[@dopeMike_]

Joe and Nics Culinary Guide of The United States

[@marge3157]

My daughter graduated high school in 2016. Went to ND a month later with a boyfriend. Wages are low but cost of living is really low. She came back to Oregon and currently in Washington. She is planning on going back, without the boat anchor boyfriend. It's my birth state so i totally approve. Mayville is where my family lives.

[@dirkvanerp7332]

Don't forget the famous people who hail from there too? Like Evil Knutson, the famed North Dakota dare devil! Holds the record for not jumping over 27 manure spreaders on a John Deere model D tractor!

[@chosipian]

another excellent video, I also enjoy the restaurant meals and reviews....

[@cormacnolan9727]

Wow, loved this. Chilling out here in Ireland seeing and learning parts of your vast country that I have never heard of before. Thank you.

[@Victory1981]

I’ve been to South Dakota, but not ND. Yeah, nice towns. I was impressed with the lawns especially at that chapel and courthouse in Hillsboro. The only drawback is the extremely cold winters.

[@atatterson6992]

I would happily go through the winters in exchange for the safety, security and extremely high quality of life.

[@jennifurhead]

@@atatterson6992This is not how all of ND is though. Born and raised and still live in ND. Cost of living is not like this everywhere and either is the income. And we have brutal winters. Takes a unique person to deal with -30 to -70 wind chills 7-8 months of the year along with feet of snow. And where I live, highest crime in the state. So no, not all of ND is how this video was portrayed.

[@opiumdensRus]

I really enjoy the basic simplicity of your tours. It is relaxing and motivating me to want to be more involved in my community. Paula's restaurants made me consider getting involved in some type of business. We were meant to do more than we limit ourselves to. Something about smalltown USA though,and industry makes for a wholesome and less stressful lifestyle as a business owner and operator I imagine.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I like this.

[@brucesmith9144]

“If you can deal with a little cold weather.” That’s an understatement. My former physician lived in North Dakota and told me during the winter you don’t venture off without an emergency kit in your car in case you get stranded. It’s a matter of life or death. Everyone has electric engine block heaters to keep the oil from thickening. Remember all those Weather Channel wind chill reports. 🥶

[@chrissyrose8184]

I laughed when he said that, too. The winters here are brutal.

[@andrewward5891]

I spent 10 years in Maine. I prefer Phoenix winters.

[@poowg2657]

I'll take 2 feet of snow instead of an 8 foot storm surge.

[@ffarmchicken]

Well, the winter is the longest season in that part of the country. And you have sub 0 temps for weeks at a time in January and February. You don’t go outside unless you need to. Summers are beautiful though, just short.

[@jons.14]

It's not that dramatic. We go outside. We have jobs. Sure, we don't go traipsing around in shorts and flip flops(although some do) during winter. When it's -20 or -30 with 30mph winds, it is most certainly cold AF. And most people keep a winter kit in the car because, yes, you can get stranded if the weather gets ugly. But if you don't like massive cities and prefer a chill (no pun intended) place to live without having a million people stacked on top of each other, it's glorious.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I've visited all of these except Hillsboro. If you saw the school mascot, you know one reason I like Casselton. Mayville and Casselton are really nice towns with attractive downtowns. Casselton struggles a little because it's so close to Fargo. Businesses are not so well supported because it's so easy to drive to bigger and better down the interstate. Portland is, of course, overshadowed by its much larger neighbor. I love to visit new small towns in North Dakota. Most are clean, even if there are abandoned buildings, and there is always something to see!

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

I’ve never been to ND. These towns look nice. I especially like Hillsboro. I love the story of Mr. Hill and the rail way. I love the Carnegie library. Some very nice architecture in these towns and beautiful homes. Cool wood chipper. Thank you for a great video on ND! Looking forward to MN!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Alexandra!!

[@martinkelly8875]

Here in London learning so much about rural us thanks for all your videos

[@maggiebugden9463]

Interesting Love the tour! What’s with ‘the wide roads ‘love those too..

[@roneagle8038]

Thank you for this fabulous video of North Dakota. I've always hankered to visit there, but this will suffice to fill that wishing, as I'm much too old for that trip now. I really would like to see Casselton in the winter. I probably would try to find the local pancake house though! Many thanks!

[@chrissyrose8184]

Bismarck ND has one of the highest crime rates in America! 37 per 1,000 residents! I'd love to see a video about Bismarck and maybe some of your observations about why Bismarck has such a high crime rate.

[@FixIt1975]

I thought the cold was supposed to keep the riff raff out. I guess not

[@marge3157]

All the out of staters who came for the oil boom.

[@aaronkidd9450]

​@marge3157 Your right on with that.

[@jm329]

What kind of crime rate? Violent crime? Property crime? All crime? If we are talking all crime, it doesn’t even come close.

[@andyjay729]

@@marge3157 Alaska's oil industry is part of the reason why Anchorage also has a pretty high violent crime rate.

[@pablomanginelli]

Man, I am from Brazil and lived in Orlando FL between 21-22 and I have to say something - Good memories coming while watch your videos. Someday, if God help me, I will go back to America. Good job and THANK YOU FOR MAKE MY DAYS HAPPIER.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That is awesome!

[@wendellgollop8753]

Joe, thank you from Barbados 🇧🇧 for the videos and trips tru small and big town America.

[@1951Roy]

Thanks for sharing, I have visited South Dakota where i found the people very friendly.

[@robertwatkins364]

Where are you from?

[@1951Roy]

@@robertwatkins364 Florida/Texas

[@robertwatkins364]

@@1951Roy We are less crowded here, than you those states. I'm glad to visit with anyone, but some of their politics scare me.

[@daltonbrasier5491]

​@@robertwatkins364 What politics?

[@robertwatkins364]

@@daltonbrasier5491 Liberals!

[@rosanneshinkle4133]

I spent 9 winters in North Dakota when my husband was in the USAF. Minot and Grand Forks. Many good points but the winters are brutal and there billions of mosquitoes in the summer. But crime is low and schools are good.

[@mukhumor]

Sounds like Siberia.

[@FairyHyacinth]

I remember Laura ingalls book... I think she lived there when she was child

[@marcforsyth9610]

I lived in that area for 13 years. Wonderful people and great home cooking! It does get cold though LOL

[@pushkarbajpai8989]

Beautiful Town. Serene and Peaceful. God bless America✝

[@jafquist27]

I lived in Lignite, ND. 120'ish strong; 100 miles from Walmart and Mac Donald's. It was GLORIOUS!

[@KarenG55]

Yellow house in Hillsboro is $200,000. 1792 sq. feet, built in 1943. 4 bedroom, 2 bath.

[@georgereyes235]

More power to the both of you and take care of yourself, thanks for bringing me in every place you visited.. God bless you both..

[@redshorse]

Interesting, well filmed with good sound. Highly watchable.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@tadhgcronin175]

Great video. As soon as you mention the house for sale the price pops up in the comments. The comments section is a decent place. You have real nice followers.

[@Mounhas]

Getting lots of blue skies and in some places big wide skies. 🙂 🇮🇪

[@GregPrince-io1cb]

Love to see the Carnegie libraries!! The legacy that man left will span generations

[@TinkerTailor4303]

I guess I should be ashamed to say I've never heard of a Carnegie Library. The man, yes, but not his libraries.

[@GregPrince-io1cb]

@@TinkerTailor4303 History my friend.... Andrew was a hard man but a helluva philanthropist!!

[@rhondatanner1157]

We have a carnage library in Morrilton Arkansas

[@shannonmurphy9790]

We have a Carnegie building in Minot, ND

[@douglasprovost768]

We have them here in the UK too. Compare Carnegie with today's mega rich, totally different.

[@user-iamRobinV68]

I’m liking North Dakota!! Looks very peaceful. That university building was so nice. Great explore! 😊😊😊

[@yeoldmetalhead6592]

We should all move there!

[@simonbrown-id6ud]

I’m scruffy and shabby looking too like the bloke who founded that town. This is my spiritual place!! I love this yours mate, it’s a good insight to the kind of places in America I would like to see.

[@MrSmashingpumpkins12]

Hey mate, love your content. I am from Australia and would love to know if you can tell me where these people in these small towns work and buy their groceries, and what exactly they do all day because there does not seem to be a lot of recreational activities in town.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you! Most work in farming. As for groceries, they probably travel to Fargo, about an hour away.

[@MrSmashingpumpkins12]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Thank you!

[@ryan70100]

The people in Hillsboro go to Fargo but mayvill and everywhere that’s closer to grand forks go there for grocery’s. They have a Target, Sam’s club, few Hugo’s markets. It’s about an hour to a Walmart from where u live. 45min to a McDonalds. If your out rural you farm, work on a farm, or drive into a small town for work. Banks, post offices, dentists ect. On the weekend there’s a lot of going to small lakes. Drinking! Golf. Lots of street dances and city wide celebrations in the summer.

[@MrSmashingpumpkins12]

@@ryan70100 Fantastic answer, very informative, thank you!

[@ryan70100]

@@MrSmashingpumpkins12 no problem come and visit anytime we’d be happy to have some Ausies!

[@rufuscleghorn4603]

My great grandfather homesteaded in North Dakota in 1886, from Norway. I have visited my relatives up there twice in the last two years. They are the best people I have ever met, and I am not exaggerating! One of them told me that they like the cold because it keeps the riff raff out. Not sure if he was kidding or not.

[@makerofstartup7902]

Thank you for the tour, from Kharkov, Ukraine, 2mln town.

[@leonjk]

Just amazing! Thanks for showing :) Here in Europe everything is so packed Was in the young west region last year and was so good! Felt more like home than where I am from (germany).

[@IrvinAguisanda]

FIRST USAF base in 2002: Why Not Minot? Fishin is my thing! 👍👍👍 Miss her BIG time!

[@Madskillsuniversity]

Love that story about being nice to people. LOL. Love your small town videos a lot. What a pleasant and peaceful looking town. I live in such a town and admit, I am bored sometimes, but I still love the peace of mind since I am approaching retirement. Regarding the lawns being kept up, I am used to that where I live, and love it! I've been away for a while, so I have some catching up to do. That said, another great video, Joe. Thanks.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you. 😀👍

[@BlessedChild7]

Though the trip is already almost done, but it will be cool if you can show some old cemeteries in the towns too if that is at all something you can do. By the way I'm seriously enjoying this trip. Thanks for bringing us along. Much love ❤️

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@briangray313]

Great research, great presentation, as usual.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@jacksisco1]

Warning to those thinking everything sounds good in North Dakota. When he says a little cold he means we get -10 to -30 for weeks. We can even get as cold as -50 with wind chill. That cold will kill you in less than 30 mins if not properly dressed. Happens every year you hear on the news some one found frozen.

[@Dark-7070]

Lol 😂 keep it up buddy! Less is best! 👍✌️

[@theamerican7131]

yes everyone, it is terrible cold. please don't move here, please

[@CarriUSA]

Your not alone! We get that polar drop every winter 🥶 Coldest I’ve seen in Wisconsin is -48 degrees below zero. It is soooo painful that cold. Leave my natural gas fireplace alone democrats! 😊

[@Kathleen67.]

One year Minnesota had 75 below with windchill, all schoolsbin the state were closed. 2000 maybe?

[@denisegalletta3832]

When we moved to Jamestown for a short time in December 1989, it was -60! Made the mistake of taking off my glove as I entered the hotel and my hand almost stuck to the metal door handle.

[@Over60sowhat]

Just love your upbeat delivery! You remind me so much of my favorite Broadcaster of all time, Paul Harvey!

[@frankadams2401]

Do you mean Paul Harvey the fifth columnist?

[@TinkerTailor4303]

That's quite a compliment!

[@Over60sowhat]

@@frankadams2401 Paul Harvey the Radio Announcer. Not sure about a column.

[@TinkerTailor4303]

@@frankadams2401 What's that??

[@frankadams2401]

@@Over60sowhat During the Vietnam war he was a war hawk, When his son became eligible for the draft he turned on LBJ.