Black-tailed prairie dog, photo by Greg Forcey

Okay, okay.  So we all know it’s actually a relative of the prairie dog that gets all the fame and glory right about now.  Still we thought the holiday was a good reason to call Theodore Roosevelt National Park and check on the prairie dog colonies there and, more importantly, if they’re paying attention to their shadows.

Rangers at TR National Park say the mild temperatures this winter have meant our prairie dogs have been very active, especially on sunny days.  Unlike the groundhog, prairie dogs do not hibernate.  They go into what’s called a “winter sleep” allowing them to continue to burrow and eat during the winter and also scamper on those sunny days.

In the South Unit, the scenic drive loop passes through three large prairie dog towns.  In the North Unit, no dog towns can be seen from the road but there is a one-mile hike from the Caprock-Coulee parking area toward a town.  There are an abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities in the Park and information about prairie dogs and other watchable wildlife is shared online.

Prairie dog town in TRNP, photo by QT Luong

In addition to not hibernating, prairie dogs differ from their larger cousins in another way: groundhogs prefer to live on their own while prairie dogs connect their burrows to huge colonies.  The colonies in Theodore Roosevelt National Park collectively span 11,000 acres! 

Another great place to see the rare black-tailed prairie dog is at Fort Stevenson State Park, on the north shore of Lake Sakakawea.  There is signage directing visitors to the prairie dog colony and explaining a bit about them.  Sully Creek State Park near Medora, has a colony right outside the park.  Colonies can also be found on private land, mostly in south central and western North Dakota.

So that one question remains – do prairie dogs pay attention to their shadows and predict the length of winter?  We invite you to visit North Dakota and see for yourself!

Garth Bowen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa has won a Medora prize package featuring two nights of lodging at the Rough Riders Hotel, two lower-level seating tickets to the legendary Medora Musical, dinner for two at the famed outdoor Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and two rounds of golf with a cart at Bully Pulpit.

Patrick Zalusky of New Brighton, Minn. has won a two-night stay at the Fireside Inn and Suites in Devils Lake, two-days guided fishing with Bry’s Guide Service,  dining and gaming vouchers from Spirit Lake Casino and $50 in Devils Lake Cash.

Mike Siebert of Oakdale, Minn. has won a two-night stay at Woodland Resort on Devils Lake, two-days guided fishing with Mitchell Guide Service, dining and gaming vouchers from Spirit Lake Casino, and $50 in Devils Lake Cash.

And Carmine D’Amato from Sheboyhan, Wis. won a Grand Forks prize package featuring two nights of lodging in a jacuzzi suite at the Canad Inns, a $100 gift card to the Toasted Frog, $50 gift card to the Blue Moose, $250 shopping spree and two tickets to each University of North Dakota men’s hockey games vs. Mankato State, March 2 and 3.

Governor Dalrymple Predicts Score … Again

About a year ago, North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple was interviewed live by Fox Sports North Host Marney Gellner pre-game to a University of North Dakota vs. U of Minnesota men’s hockey game.  At the end of that interview, Marney asked the Governor if he wanted to predict the score of the game.  To which he offered: North Dakota, 4, Minnesota, 1.  He was right!  Two-plus hours later that’s what the score ended up.

Fast forward one year to last Friday night.  Marney Gellner and Governor Dalrymple were back at the FSN pre-game desk in Grand Forks’ Ralph Engelstad Arena.  Marney recalled the Governor’s accurate prediction and asked him for another.  This time he did a bit of a Carnac impression and guessed: North Dakota, 2, Minnesota, 1. Once again – the Gov was right on.  No word yet on if the Governor’s office is receiving requests for lottery numbers and other predictions but I do think I see a standing pre-game question from FSN in the future.

For North Dakota Tourism, that criticism came yesterday, January 12, 2012.

On Monday the 9th, North Dakota Tourism unveiled their advertising campaign for the new year, including six new :15-second television ads and 10 new print ads.  The unveil received a great deal of attention including an AP story picked up by more than 50 online and print publications to include the Boston Globe, Bloomberg Businessweek and the Huffington Post.  The television ads are shared on YouTube and NDtourism.com and the print ads were also shared on our website and Facebook fan page.

Yesterday afternoon, one print ad started being widely shared on Facebook generating a great deal of comments – a majority of them negative.  Our first reaction was, “Wow!  Some people are just crude and watch too much reality TV.”  But as comments became, in some cases, downright offensive, we decided to remove the image from Facebook and our website.  We also became aware of blogs criticizing not just the ad but the entire state.

The media and public reaction that has followed in the past 24-hours has been a mixture of supportive, cautionary and critical.  This isn’t a canned statement – but just the honest way we feel:  This ad was intended to highlight nightlife, youthfulness and a girls-night-out in one of our city’s downtowns.  While we did not personally see the negative connotations that have since been implied, we take that feedback very seriously and are responding to it.  The ad will not run in publications as originally presented.  We are committed to promoting our vibrant city experiences and will create an ad that more accurately conveys the message we intended.

What’s most bothersome to those of us who have been involved in the creative campaign is not the fact that the ad has been attacked, but the fact that the models – who had such a fun experience at the photo shoot – have been personally bashed.  These are beautiful, REAL people who we are proud to have represent North Dakota and the fun, downtown Fargo nightlife that they truly do enjoy.  We apologize to them for the senseless and inappropriate things that people posted about them.

Here at North Dakota Tourism we aren’t “standing neutral with no point of view.”  We care passionately about North Dakota.  Criticism against the overall campaign and the state is unjustified.  We have research on our visitation, about our ad campaigns and our branding.  And the creative strategy and media buy are based on this research. According to the U.S. Travel Association, North Dakota has been outpacing the nation with increased visitor spending in seven of the past eight years.  Since the introduction of the Legendary brand 10 years ago, we’ve made great strides in showing more people the great history, culture, scenery, adventure and fun in North Dakota.  We have measured the results of our ad campaign since 2003 and the 2010 advertising  generated more than $277 million in visitor spending. This ad series works to showcase many of the experiences found here and that our visitors tell us they love.

Like Cheryl Dunning from Winnipeg, Manitoba who recently wrote us: “I plan on coming back into North Dakota fairly regularly … Grand Forks is a favorite as is Fargo. I’d like to see Bismarck, Jamestown and well a lot of other places. I always find ways to have fun in North Dakota – from finding new places to eat to finding new things to take photos of. I look forward to returning time and time again to North Dakota.”

Thank you Cheryl.  We’re good enough and gosh darn it, people like us!  As travel expert and blogger Ted Sullivan wrote in his blog about Fargo – it’s quirky, unexpected and great place to visit.

Thank you to all of you sending us your tweets, posts and emails of support, like St. Paul Pioneer Press freelance writer Julie Forster who tweeted, “Yay, North Dakota! Love your ad. Can’t believe you pulled it” and Arla Jean Wood who told us on Facebook: “Fargo is a friendly college town! I really don’t see the intention of harm or insult in that ad. Downtown bars are an easy place to meet new people. That has ALWAYS been the case for me; when I was young and lived there and 10 yrs late when I go back to see friends. It’s always a fun party and that’s one of the biggest reasons why I love going home.”

Lewis and Clark may have invented the road trip, but you perfected it.

That’s just one of the themes in this year’s advertising campaign from North Dakota.  Here in North Dakota, Legendary vacations are possible.  Ten new print ads and six television spots showcase experiences such as hiking, history, family adventure, golf, culture and the great outdoors.

And once you’ve gotten a peek at North Dakota, there are new guides available to start planning your 2012 vacations and weekend getaways.  Both the official North Dakota Travel Guide and Hunting & Fishing Guide are available in both digital and print versions.  Printed versions are mailed free-of-charge with a state highway map.

The advertising campaign will play to audiences in Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Montana, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

The road to the championship game has been paved by a 13-1 season for North Dakota.  No. 1 ranked Sam Houston has a 14-0 record.  Included in their fan support are the Governors and Senators of the two states.  North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple and Texas Gov. Rick Perry have placed a friendly wager on the game as have Senators Conrad and Hoeven!

Head Bison football coach Craig Bohl with the North Dakota State University team. Photo by Dave Wallis

North Dakota State University is a research university with an enrollment of more than 14,000.  It’s main campus is in Fargo, which has a metro population of 190,000 and in addition to Division I athletics is also home to USHL hockey and American Association independent baseball.

If you’re at the game or cheering from home, be sure to share your fan photos with us on our Travel North Dakota page on Facebook.  And tweet your thoughts to @NorthDakota and @NDSUAthletics.  Go Bison!

The International Peace Garden in the Turtle Mountains is known for its beauty, tranquility and symbolism. It’s a popular destination in the summer and now travelers can enjoy it in the winter. The Peace Garden has an extensive network of trails accessible for snowshoeing.  Snowshoes, walking poles and bindings can be rented from the interpretive center.  The interpretive center and conservatory are open year round.

The Theodore Roosevelt Center at Dickinson State University is dedicated to preserving the legacy of America’s 26th President. A new presidential digital library gives scholars and visitors a new way to be inspired by Roosevelt.  Visit online or in-person – but be sure to package your visit with Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Always wanted to fish the Missouri River in the winter but your boat is stored away? No problem. Sakakawea Guide Service now offers unique houseboats with an opportunity to fish the Garrison Dam tailrace throughout the winter months.

Rolling Plains Adventures, near Bismarck, hosts guided hunts and ranch vacations and a new Grand Lodge will open in 2012. Based on Black Leg Ranch, the fifth generation ranchers/owners help guests discover ranch life with horseback riding and cattle drives plus home-cooked meals.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center expansion is slated to be open in February showcasing a new event center, library and production studio. More exhibits tell the story of the Corps of Discovery and others who journeyed through (now) North Dakota.  The Center is located in Washburn.

Also scheduled to be open in February is the new Enchanted Castle, a 20-room lodging facility in Regent – known as one stop along the Enchanted Highway. The front of the new hotel will have the appearance of a castle. Walk across the moat to enter the property.

Stay tuned for more great things coming to North Dakota in 2012.

This year you won’t find much snow in North Dakota, but our ski area remain open and there’s still LOTS to do, including hiking and biking the Maah Daah Hey Trail during these 40-degree days.  The Missouri River has open-water fishing and some smaller lakes and bays are frozen for ice fishing.  Great destinations like the North Dakota Heritage Center, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and the International Peace Gardens are open.  Tour through Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  See Fort Mandan and hear stories of the Corps of Discovery from the winter of 1804-1805.  Take in a hockey game and cheer for North Dakota State University as they travel to the FCS Championship!  It’s a great time to enjoy North Dakota.

Happy holidays!

While we might be a little low on snow, the balmy-temps give a new diversity in activity options for the adventurous! For instance – snowboard in the morning and wakeboard the Missouri River in the afternoon – like this group did!

Until the snow flies and the ice thickens, there’s still miles to enjoy on the Maah Daah Hey Trail.  Open-water fishing on the Missouri River is gangbusters and the Missouri River Zone remains open for Canada goose hunting through Dec. 30.

And if your kind of adventure is more that “last-minute-shopping-and-bargin-finding” variety – we’ve got that too!

• Bismarck – December 1-31 – Christmas in Sertoma Park
• Fargo – December 2-30 – 13^th Annual Holiday Lights in Lindenwood Park
• Grand Forks – November 25-December 31 – Christmas in the Park – Lincoln Park Drive

New events this year include:

• A Christmas Quilt Show
• Fruitcake Toss
• Trains, Tractors, Toys and Cars Show
• Cash Cab – take the free taxi, answer the questions and you could win Garrison bucks
• Dress Dickens Contest – dress the part and you could win $100

Daily, guests enjoy musical entertainment, an English market, carriage rides, historic tours at Holmes’ Home, the Don’t Be a Scrooge Contest, double-decker bus rides, visits of nearby historic Fort Stevenson, English High Tea, walking tours, lighted parade and holiday sing-along.  And yes, “A Christmas Carol” is performed nightly.

And you may need good food to keep your energy up so here’s a peek at just a few menu items: turkey drumsticks, sausage-on-a-stick, meatballs and pickled walleye, fleischkeuchle, knoephla soup and cheesecake.

For more information, visit the Dickens Festival website and click on the 2011 Dickens Gazette link for a complete schedule, maps and coupons!