The Joy of Riding

The Innkeeper's Special

I learned to ride a motorcycle on the twisting roads that follow the open coastline of the Pacific Northwest.   Following the beaches down to California and making a sharp left turn inland to Napa Valley was my favorite ride hands down or throttles open.  Then I discovered the rural wonderland that is North Dakota.  Riding here is not for the inexperienced as all manner of flying or leaping insects, large wandering beasts, farm equipment and oil trucks can intersect with your days ride.  But for those that persevere, the rewards are endless.  Beautiful ever changing views, long empty stretches of highway and small towns that are warm and welcoming rest stops are but a few.  As a H.O.G. member, I have stayed in some wonderful hotels in my travels, and received unsurpassed service no matter how rough or worn I (or my bike) looked under their lobby canopy.   Although I am always grateful for a welcoming establishment after a long ride, I sometimes feel a little out of place amongst the vacationing families and traveling business class as I am usually the only one clad in leather that is clad in bugs, dust and assorted road debris.  It is for that reason that I offer an invitation, well perhaps two.  First, come and discover the unbelievable country that North Dakota is and rediscover, as I did, the joy of riding whether alone or in a group.  Second, when traveling through Southwest North Dakota, you welcomed to stay with us here in Dodge (once we’re officially opened).  Differing greatly from the chain hotels, we offer a comfortable place where we are as passionate about riding as you are.  And because I have always had great experiences as a member, we even offer a H.O.G. discount as well!  See you on the road.  

"Unique opportunity awaits you at the Prairie Center.  Formerly the Dodge Public School, The Prairie Center, a non-denominational Christian ministry has available rooms for use as studio/loft type one bedroom apartments,  art studios or the perfect home business center.  Located in Dodge on Highway 200 (between Beulah and Killdeer) the building overlooks the town and surrounding pastures and is a quiet rural and spacious place.  On-site managers and residents share this building with the future businesses of the Center and would be perfect for the right eclectic, low stress person(s) who enjoys historical buildings, unique spaces and a community feel.  Amenities include ample parking, Wi-Fi and cable, vaulted ceilings, great views and easy access.  This is a non-smoking facility and does not allow for pets as we already have a house watch dog!  If you’re looking for something different, give us a call to schedule a visit."

Recently I placed this notice on a couple of ad sites because we have two rooms available on the second floor of our building that as of yet do not have a purpose.  They are converted classroom that would lend  easily to just about any use.  Then a thought occurred to me that I should be advertising for the right person not simply advertising the room.  This building is a very special place to live and work.  The people that are here are held together by faith, trust, hard work and a great friendship as well as a vested interest in this community.  When looking for someone to live here, we are looking for more than just a renter, we are looking for someone that will do well in the quirky mix of eclectic and meaningful experiences of our everyday life here.  Maybe you are interested in joining us (even after all of my entries) and being a part of what we are doing here.  If so, please write us and let us know so we can take the "For Rent" sign down! 

  

Nothing says summer like a Kewanee Boiler

It was 95 degrees outside this afternoon and it was a 95 made worse by the humidity and lack of any wind, breeze or movement of the air whatsoever.  Fortunately for us and our dog, the basement of the building remains comfortably cool (this would be a good time to remember that a trip to North Dakota, unless you are a heat enthusiast, is best planned prior to July or after August).  On days like this I think of the biting cold that is just around the corner and the carefully orchestrated steps of daily boiler operations that await us in just a few short months.  Running our boiler system is not for the faint of heart as it is part art, part rocket science and part old industrial wisdom all rolled into the care of a phlegmatic and sometimes neurotic boiler nicknamed simply “Chance”(as in  a slim).  Naming an inanimate object can be helpful when the temperature drops below –30 degrees as it gives you a personality to be angry with not just a cold motionless hunk of steel the size of a VW bus.  I should state that Chance runs strictly on coal (about 30 tons of it per season) mined here locally.  A great amount of water is used to create a great amount of steam which creates a great amount of banging (which produces a great amount of barking from our dog).  Precise control over Chance’s endless gauges are needed to avoid the bathrooms from freezing and the apartments from sweltering but once Chance hits his stride, the results are worth it.  Radiator heat is responsible for keeping the temperature comfortable and the building safe from the extreme temperatures, but it is a costly operation in manpower and coal resources.  For just that reason we are setting up a Chance fund in order to keep this vital system maintained (by skilled technicians, not just by the likes of me) and operational for years to come.  Many people have asked how they can help and this is one way to turn dollars into coal into heat to help preserve this historic building.  Your donations can be forwarded to The Prairie Center, PO Box 32, Dodge ND 58625 (please earmark it “The Slim Chance Fund”).  Your contributions large or small will help meet these very real needs and provide warmth for families and visitors during the bracing winter months.        

Hospitality, Rest and Renewal?

So what are you guys really doing out there?  We get that question a lot!  Recently, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to discuss our plans and progress for the school with the local newspaper group.  The article happened to make it to the front page to our complete surprise.  Within the article we discussed our plans for the businesses that we are looking to help fund our project as well as compliment the community and provide needed services.  In a nutshell version of that article, as we looked at the ways we could fully utilize this facility, it was clear that food and lodging would have a large part to play in our plans.  Our location is central to the unmatched recreational activities and the rich history that helps give our state its moniker, “Legendary”.  Whether motorcycle rider, fisherman, hunter, naturalist, birdwatcher,

family with local connections here (and limited space for you and yours) or someone who desperately  needs to retreat from life's demanding schedules, our Bed and Breakfast is right in the middle of the middle of everything!  This area is also rich in finds for the antique and curiosity collector ranging in skill levels from expert to novice.  After the intensive creative re-purposing here at the school, we still have a treasure trove of items ranging from antique school items to farm equipment.  It was only natural that we decided to extend ourselves in connection with our other ventures, as purveyors of unique collectibles.  Eventually having more of an on-line presence, you’ll start to see our trademarked 50’s pink desk showing up.  And finally (or at least we think so) we decide to include really good coffee and really great pie to the roster scheduled to open (pending final permitting), sometime in late summer.  Separate from the businesses but using all of their efforts, we also see the need for a retreat center here.  As we have come to know so many people in public ministry, we see the need to provide a place where they can come and find the peace in this area and the calming affect that farm animals, and time alone can provide.  Whether in missions, pastoral care, church leadership or lay ministries, we can offer the center as a place of personal rest or private group retreat.  We ourselves have no extensive programs or scheduled meetings to attend, simply time to decompress, the chance to heal, and the opportunity to reconnect with their faith and their families.  And so I guess that makes it four businesses to run, a giant building to care for and a growing farm all together at the same time.  If we pull it off, it really will be “Legendary”.

Who doesn't like Pie?

In our world of uncertainty, opening up another startup business doesn’t make much sense unless it involves pie!  Pie today, I mean really great pie is disappearing from the American landscape and nowhere in our wonderful country is in the middle of the American landscape than our own Dodge, North Dakota.  Returning to my roots here in North Dakota brought to mind the really great pie my grandmother used to make handed down to her from her mother’s kitchen and her mother before her.  Resting somewhere in my genetic code was the recipe for unbelievable apple, and berry and of course rhubarb.  It is in homage to her and also for the guilty pleasure of that first or last slice (usually after midnight standing in the light of the open refrigerator door) that we decided to open a simple pie and coffee shop nestled within our own Prairie Center.  Starbucks has nothing on fostering great conversation over a really good cup of coffee and a really great slice of pie like we do here in the middle of the aforementioned landscape.  Now we won’t be “Pie City” or “Thousands of Pies in One Place”, just a made it ourselves, bells on the door place to sit and get lost again in the vanishing world of simple pleasures best served ala-mode.  

Just call her Lightning

North Dakota has some of the most extreme weather conditions that we have ever witnessed.  From the unyielding winters cold to the oppressive heat of the summer, the weather is constantly changing.  Last night was the most spectacular lightning storm to hit this area in years and in the midst of the storm or maybe despite it, early this morning one of the mares had her colt in the pasture.  A few hours after the storm passed and now the proud mother is making introductions to the other horses nearby.  The cycle and rhythm of life bravely pushes on through unbelievable odds and circumstances.

An Old School is still teaching

For most of my adult life I have lived in large metropolitan cities and yet a different life always called to me.  Maybe it was the family stories of Northern Minnesota and North Dakota that always created a longing for something different, or maybe it was my growing need to be able to return to my roots that helped me retire from a corporate lifestyle and move to one of the smallest town I have ever traveled through.  Whatever the reason, together with my business partner and great friend, our two trucks and my one big dog, we arrived in North Dakota in the middle of one of the mildest winters on record.  We both were initially unnerved by the amount of work that faced us, but we soon settled into a pace that was manageable.  Our mission was to transform this huge public building into a center for hospitality and a true community asset.  So many students, teachers, parents and volunteers have such warm feelings for this building, we wanted to ensure that they always felt welcomed here.  Our true lessons here began when one by one, friends and neighbors offered to help us in so many ways.  From the unknown worker with the local power company who literally saved our electrical system to the many people that brought us help and supplies and have become a part of our family, we are continually taught new lessons on community, faith and the power of friendship.  We haven't graduated yet, so if you are in Dodge, stop by and help Becky and I with our homework!