The Wandering Scot

An occasional travel journal.

Mid West 2024

  Sioux City   Pierre   Bismarck   Minuteman Site   Fargo   Winnipeg   ABM Sites   Aurora Borealis   Minneapolis   Taliesin   Madison   Chicago
I took two overlapping Mid West road trips in 2024. First, Omaha to Fargo, then Winnipeg to Chicago.

Sioux City, Iowa

A quick stop-off at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Lewis & Clark Statue (plus dog), Sioux City, Iowa, Mid West 2024
Lewis & Clark Statue (plus dog)
Jefferson orders the Expedition, Sioux City, Iowa, Mid West 2024
Jefferson orders the Expedition
Lewis & Clark Diorama, Sioux City, Iowa, Mid West 2024
Lewis & Clark Diorama
The Mighty Missouri, at Sioux City, Sioux City, Iowa, Mid West 2024
The Mighty Missouri, at Sioux City

Pierre, South Dakota

South Dakota State Capitol

South Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
South Dakota State Capitol
South Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
South Dakota State Capitol
Capitol dome interior, South Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Capitol dome interior
Capitol Rotunda, South Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Capitol Rotunda
Indian + trader, South Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Indian + trader
Senate Chamber, South Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Senate Chamber
House chamber, South Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
House chamber
Supreme Court chamber, South Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Supreme Court chamber

Verendrye Monument, outside Pierre

The Verendrye Brothers were French explorers who reach South Dakota around 1743 and buried a lead tablet claiming the region for France.
The tablet was rediscovered outside Pierre in 1913.
Verendrye Monument, Verendrye Monument, outside Pierre, Mid West 2024
Verendrye Monument
Verendrye Monument, Verendrye Monument, outside Pierre, Mid West 2024
Verendrye Monument
View over Pierre and the Missouri, Verendrye Monument, outside Pierre, Mid West 2024
View over Pierre and the Missouri

Bismarck, North Dakota

North Dakota State Capitol

An unusual Art Deco State Capitol, North Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
An unusual Art Deco State Capitol
House Chamber, North Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
House Chamber
House Chamber, North Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
House Chamber
Senate Chamber, North Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Senate Chamber
Great Seal of South Dakota, North Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Great Seal of South Dakota
View from 18th floor observation deck, North Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
View from 18th floor observation deck
Art Deco elevator doors, North Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Art Deco elevator doors
Note the cattle herds and wheat sheafs, North Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Note the cattle herds and wheat sheafs
Note the steam locomotive and wagon train., North Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Note the steam locomotive and wagon train.
The Mighty Missouri at Bismarck, North Dakota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
The Mighty Missouri at Bismarck

Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota

A real Minuteman Missile command site, now disabled as a result of the START treaty.
The innocuous-looking entrance building, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
The innocuous-looking entrance building
Base layout model, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Base layout model
Our tour leader shows off ground floor rest areas, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Our tour leader shows off ground floor rest areas
Large-capacity cargo elevator, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Large-capacity cargo elevator
Entry to Support Bunker, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Entry to Support Bunker
Entry to the Command Bunker, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Entry to the Command Bunker
Shock-absorbing mounting, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Shock-absorbing mounting
The command bunker is suprisingly spacious this is double-size, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
The command bunker is suprisingly spacious
this is double-size - most command bunkers were smaller.
Command Console #1, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Command Console #1
Command Console #2 This one has the red lock-boxes for sealed o, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Command Console #2
This one has the red lock-boxes for sealed orders
This was the command bunker for the "Oscar" missile wing<, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
This was the command bunker for the "Oscar" missile wing
Graham at Command Console #2, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Graham at Command Console #2

November-33 Missile Silo

There's little to see above ground., November-33 Missile Silo, Mid West 2024
There's little to see above ground.
Launcher door, November-33 Missile Silo, Mid West 2024
Launcher door

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo Visitor Center, August 2024

The Fargo Vistor Center has the original wood chipper from the movie Fargo. They say it is by far their biggest attraction.
The original Wood Chipper from <i>Fargo</i>, Fargo Visitor Center, August 2024, Mid West 2024
The original Wood Chipper from Fargo

Fargo Visitor Center, August 2024

On my second visit in October I bought one of the Vistor Center's trapper hats, for versimilitude
The original <i>Fargo</i> wood chipper, Fargo Visitor Center, August 2024, Mid West 2024
The original Fargo wood chipper
Signed by the Coen Brothers, Fargo Visitor Center, August 2024, Mid West 2024
Signed by the Coen Brothers

Around Fargo

Welcome to  Fargo!, Around Fargo, Mid West 2024
Welcome to Fargo!
Fargo City Hall, Around Fargo, Mid West 2024
Fargo City Hall
The Red River at Fargo It flows North into Lake Winnipeg and ev, Around Fargo, Mid West 2024
The Red River at Fargo
It flows North into Lake Winnipeg and eventually into Hudson Bay
Hjemkomst Center, a Norwegian Cultural center At Moorhead oppos, Around Fargo, Mid West 2024
Hjemkomst Center, a Norwegian Cultural center
At Moorhead opposite Fargo
Replica Viking ship Which was successfully sailed from New York, Around Fargo, Mid West 2024
Replica Viking ship
Which was successfully sailed from New York to Norway.
Replica Viking ship, Around Fargo, Mid West 2024
Replica Viking ship
Replica of a Norwegian stave church, Around Fargo, Mid West 2024
Replica of a Norwegian stave church

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Welcome to Winnipeg!, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mid West 2024
Welcome to Winnipeg!
Manitoba Legislature, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mid West 2024
Manitoba Legislature
Manitoba Legislature, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mid West 2024
Manitoba Legislature
The "Golden Boy" atop the Legislature, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mid West 2024
The "Golden Boy" atop the Legislature
Louis Riel statue, outside Legislature, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mid West 2024
Louis Riel statue, outside Legislature
Winnipeg's Union Station (1911), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mid West 2024
Winnipeg's Union Station (1911)
Inside Union Station, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mid West 2024
Inside Union Station
The might Red River, flowing North to Lake Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mid West 2024
The might Red River, flowing North to Lake Winnipeg

ABM Sites, North Dakota

North Dakota is home to an abandoned 1970s Anti-Ballistic Missile complex, intended to protect the US's ICBM sites. I stopped off at two sites, first
the imposing and mysterious "MSR Pyramid", a giant phased array radar, and also RSL #3, one of the interceptor missile launch sites. Sadly
neither was open for visits.
The MSR Pyramid, ABM Sites, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
The MSR Pyramid
Mysterious concrete structures, ABM Sites, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Mysterious concrete structures
Remote Launch Site 3 (aka RSL #3) One of the interceptor missil, ABM Sites, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
Remote Launch Site 3 (aka RSL #3)
One of the interceptor missile launch sites
RSL #3, ABM Sites, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
RSL #3
RSL #3 Cryptic concrete structures, ABM Sites, North Dakota, Mid West 2024
RSL #3 Cryptic concrete structures

Aurora Borealis

I was lucky enough to be in Minneapolis when a major Aurora event hit. I drove 20 miles North to Ham Lake, and got some good views.
Caveat: The camera exagerrates the colors. To the naked eye, these mostly looked like pale gray smears, with only occasional hints of color.
Overhead, Aurora Borealis, Mid West 2024
Overhead
Overhead, Aurora Borealis, Mid West 2024
Overhead

Minneapolis

Minnesota State Capitol

Minnesota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Minnesota State Capitol
Dome interior, Minnesota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Dome interior
Rotunda, Minnesota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Rotunda
Senate Chamber, Minnesota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Senate Chamber
House of Representatives, Minnesota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
House of Representatives
Supreme Court Chamber, Minnesota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Supreme Court Chamber
"The Third Minnesota Entering Little Rock" Outside Ti, Minnesota State Capitol, Mid West 2024
"The Third Minnesota Entering Little Rock"
Outside Tim Walz's Reception Room

Around Minneapolis

The Mighty Mississippi  at Minneapolis, Around Minneapolis, Mid West 2024
The Mighty Mississippi at Minneapolis
Great Mall of America, Around Minneapolis, Mid West 2024
Great Mall of America
Giant Lego Store, Around Minneapolis, Mid West 2024
Giant Lego Store
Welcoming Lego Dragon, Around Minneapolis, Mid West 2024
Welcoming Lego Dragon
Lego Minotaur, Around Minneapolis, Mid West 2024
Lego Minotaur
Minneapolis City Hall, Around Minneapolis, Mid West 2024
Minneapolis City Hall

Taliesin, Wisconsin

Frank LLoyd Wright's estate at Taliesin, exemplifying his style and ideas.
Taliesin Visitor Center Designdc by FLW as "The Riverside, Taliesin, Wisconsin, Mid West 2024
Taliesin Visitor Center
Designdc by FLW as "The Riverside Terrace Restaurant"
Taliesin, Taliesin, Wisconsin, Mid West 2024
Taliesin
Drafting Room, Taliesin, Wisconsin, Mid West 2024
Drafting Room
Entry to Formal Living Room, Taliesin, Wisconsin, Mid West 2024
Entry to Formal Living Room
The Formal Living Room, Taliesin, Wisconsin, Mid West 2024
The Formal Living Room
Formal Living Room, looking back to Entry, Taliesin, Wisconsin, Mid West 2024
Formal Living Room, looking back to Entry
The Birdwalk projecting balcony, Taliesin, Wisconsin, Mid West 2024
The Birdwalk projecting balcony
Family space, Taliesin, Wisconsin, Mid West 2024
Family space
Informal space: converted from an outdoor area, Taliesin, Wisconsin, Mid West 2024
Informal space: converted from an outdoor area

Madison, Wisconsin

Wisconsin State Capitol

View from my room at the AC Hotel, Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
View from my room at the AC Hotel
Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Wisconsin State Capitol
Rotunda, Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Rotunda
Dome Interior, Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Dome Interior
Legislation, Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Legislation
Justice, Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Justice
Liberty, Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Liberty
Government, Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Government
Supreme Court Chamber, Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Supreme Court Chamber
"The Appeal of the Legionary to Caesar Augustus", Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
"The Appeal of the Legionary to Caesar Augustus"
Senate Chamber, Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Senate Chamber
Wedding of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans (Panama Canal 1914), Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Wedding of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans (Panama Canal 1914)
Asian Powers on the left, European Powers on the right
Assembly Chamber (House of Representatives), Wisconsin State Capitol, Mid West 2024
Assembly Chamber (House of Representatives)

Chicago, Illinois

Willis / Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois, Mid West 2024
Willis / Sears Tower
Projecting observation boxes, Chicago, Illinois, Mid West 2024
Projecting observation boxes
The Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois, Mid West 2024
The Field Museum
Full-scale Pterosaur Model, Chicago, Illinois, Mid West 2024
Full-scale Pterosaur Model
Field Museum: Cambrian Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois, Mid West 2024
Field Museum: Cambrian Aquarium
Frank Lyyod Wright's Frederik C Robie House, Chicago, Illinois, Mid West 2024
Frank Lyyod Wright's Frederik C Robie House
Frank Lyyod Wright's Frederik C Robie House, Chicago, Illinois, Mid West 2024
Frank Lyyod Wright's Frederik C Robie House

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (neé The Oriental Institute)

A Mighty Lamassu.  Sargon II, around 710 bc, The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (neé The Oriental Institute), Mid West 2024
A Mighty Lamassu. Sargon II, around 710 bc
Artistic modern colors for ancient heads, The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (neé The Oriental Institute), Mid West 2024
Artistic modern colors for ancient heads
Tutankhamun, The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (neé The Oriental Institute), Mid West 2024
Tutankhamun
A Babylonian Lion, The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (neé The Oriental Institute), Mid West 2024
A Babylonian Lion