Fortunately, North Dakota is always open. . .

The Little Engine That Could? Just kidding. This is actually Tom and Sandy's new Element camper, which is parked tonight somewhere in western North Dakota. (Kathleen's bug is still in the garage. It's Abbey Point Night and we're having dinner with all the stay-at-homes.)

Just got a note from our neighborhood camping enthusiasts, Tom and Sandy, whose plans to stay in a Minnesota State Park during most of the month of July were skunked (should you ever say "skunk" to a camper?) when the state shut down. So our plucky pair motored west and found a trailer parking spot in North Dakota on the Heart River. We got this email today:

From: Tom & Sandy Story

Date: July 6, 2011 11:14:10 AM CDT

To: rolfsrud@gmail.com

Subject: Happy Birthday

Stan,

Happy Birthday from the land of your ancesters.  Why would anyone want to leave this lovely place?

We actually found a campground with a couple trees along the Heart River. We will send pictures when we get a decent connection.
Tom and Sandy