Graham’s Island State Park, Devils Lake, ND
After a brief visit in Grand Forks we continued our trek west on US Rte. 2 for about a hundred miles to the small town of Devils Lake, ND. There we turned south and continued for 15 miles to Grahams Island State Park. When we visited with Terry and LuAnn (Paint Your Landscape) in Bemidji, they told us the park was their next destination. Since it was on our route and we enjoy visiting with them, we decided to take a break from touring and spend a couple nights there.
Grahams Island is connected to the mainland by a long causeway.
Devils Lake is endorheic (of course, you know that means, it has no outlet!) so it is a bit salty, like the Great Salt Lake. The release of water is dependent upon evaporation and seepage. An increase in precipitation between 1993 and 1999 caused the lake to double in size, forcing the displacement of over 300 homes and flooding 70,000 acres of farmland. As you drive along the lake you can see many areas where trees that were at one time on dry land have been flooded and died.
We usually stay near cities and towns and spend much of our time exploring them. But on an island 15 miles from the nearest population center there is not much to do unless you like to fish (the lake is called the Perch capitol of the world). So we took the opportunity to sit for an afternoon down by the lake and read while enjoying a cold adult beverage.
Later that day we went to see Terry and LuAnn and were treated to a delicious meal.
The next afternoon we invited them over to our site to return the favor and we Pam prepared an equally delicious meal.
The next morning we both planned to move on, with Terry and LuAnn heading south, while we continued traveling west. We didn’t know what time they were leaving, but as we pulled out we spotted a familiar fifth wheel in the distance in front of us.
We slowly caught up with them and at a “T” in the road waved as they turned to the south and we turned to the north for a few miles, then west on US Rte. 2. We plan to meet up with them again this winter in southern California or Arizona.
Good-bye Terri and LuAnn!
Next up for us: Minot, ND. More on that later.
Oh, the Places They Go! 
How fun that your paths have crossed several times with Luann and Terry. Did Luann make that chocolate pudding! its delicious and I learned from her how to make it.
Actually, MonaLiza, I learned to make the chocolate pudding from Nina who LuAnn taught! We did, however, get some of LuAnn’s special dark chocolate and her date, nut chocolate balls!! Yummy for sure:)
That is a word I had never heard before, and I am surprised because I know I have been at that type of lake before.
Everyone needs a day of total relaxation every once in a while! Looks like a great spot for it!
It was so nice to have no where to go and nothing to do for a change. We have had so many short stops lately that we have been busy every day. Kicking back was definitely appreciated:)
So nice that your paths crossed with Lu and Terry! I like the look of that waterside camp.
Nina
Two visits in a week were great fun:)
So you were chill-laxin’ by the lake… and Terri and LuAnne Too! Fun! And I think I need a recipe or two for the chocolate deliciousness you were all devouring! 😀
Nancy, I’ll have to have LuAnn send recipes your way:)
Nope, didn’t know that lake term – and will of course be trying to remember it when we come across one (taking bets on whether I can). While we are not generally city watchers I see them in a whole new light with your explorations . They are a big part of this country’s landscape and history, and I think we would miss a lot if we just pass them all by! Since you mentioned it here, I’ll take this opportunity to thank you for opening my eyes 🙂 .
I do know that a lot of people skip cities. We are trying to get the full flavor for this country which means cities, too. Most of the cities we visit seem to be on the smaller scale. Of course, finding parks is always a challenge around a city. Glad we showed you something new for future explorations:)
What’s with the very big words? Endorheic…really?
Please…we weren’t born yesterday. We ALL know exactly why you stay near cities and towns…It begins with a S and ends with coffee.
What a nice short visit with good friends. Hope to see you two down the road also!
I am still laughing at your comment Marsha! 🙂
Marsha thinks she is so cute!!!
That isn’t exactly true, Marsha but it certainly is a nice perk in the more populated areas. We will be off Starbucks for a while now until we get to Calgary:)
We are thrilled that we got to spend some time with the two of you, and besides eating, which we tend to do a lot of when we get together, we finally got a bit of exercise in together as well. Thanks for the fabulous dinner Pam. You are an excellent cook! We saw the two of you pulling out when we came past your section of the campground so thought we would have you behind us when we turned, and there you were! 🙂
We thought you might enjoy seeing yourself on the road. It isn’t often we get to see what we look like traveling down the road.
I am glad we did get a chance to bike ride together. Now we having hiking up next!!
Still enjoying our chocolate treats…had one when we had lunch today:)
Hiking is next for sure. We are going to get ourselves in shape so we can keep up with the two of you! 🙂
Glad to see you are still enjoying your chocolate treats.
Graham’s Island looks like a great place to relax. Too late to ask you to say Hi to Terry and LuAnn but glad you got to spend some time with them. Will you be going to the national park??
Sherry, we are headed to explore and hike the east side of Glacier NP.
You are truly erudite explorers, as evidenced by your prodigious vocabulary. (Tee-hee!) How fun that you got to connect with LuAnn and Terry again. The chocolate is another reason that we have GOT to meet up with you guys somewhere in our travels — that, and I want to expand my vocabulary…. 🙂
Touche, Laurel!! Great sentence:) Glad you appreciate John’s humor!
I’ve learned a new word! Endorheic! Happy travels to you and your buddies Terry and LuAnn. 🙂
I won’t care what the food is… A meal with Lu is delicious. 🙂 Would love to meet her again in person.