Hi friends, I’m Niki
explorer & photographer
I have a deep love for wide open skies, dirt road adventures, and discovering the hidden gems tucked away in my adopted home state. Whether it’s chasing sunsets or storms on the prairie, finding the best homemade knoephla at a local festival, or stumbling across an abandoned church that tells a story all its own, I’m all about celebrating the beauty and charm of North Dakota in every season (yes, even the snowy ones).
With a camera in one hand, I’ve spent years documenting the places that make this state so special. From small towns with big personalities to scenic byways that deserve more love, I’m here to give you an insider’s look at the heart of North Dakota. You’ll find everything from weekend road trip ideas and quirky roadside stops to historical tidbits and local eats worth the drive.
This blog is for curious wanderers, proud locals, and anyone who’s ever wondered what’s beyond the interstate signs. So grab a cup of coffee, I prefer tea, (or a thermos for the road), and let’s explore North Dakota together — one dusty road, friendly face, and hidden treasure at a time.
01. Me standing on a frozen slough without a coat / 02. Cows in the dog near Napoleon / 03. A windfarm on the horizon / 04. The northern lights
I first set foot in North Dakota the morning of August 19, 2007
We were in a rented Toyota Highlander. The family van died on moving day about an hour into the drive from Michigan to our new home in North Dakota. I was in the passenger seat while Mom was driving and my sister shared the back with two Newfoundlands, Sunny and Boo.
When we finally pulled into the driveway of our farmstead, I was days away from starting 8th grade. As the school year progressed the more and more I hated the state. My plan was to leave as soon as I graduated high school. But then I didn’t leave. I stayed for college. After college I moved back to Jamestown, still with the dream of moving away.
Every time I thought long and hard about leaving, there was always a long list of things I would definitely miss about living in North Dakota. At the top of the list was always the stars, night sky, and wide open spaces.
As my list of things I’d miss if I moved away kept growing, I decided I really did love living in this legendary state. It took me 13 years to fall in love with North Dakota and now, I have no plans of ever leaving.
Maybe North Dakota was always supposed to be home.
And Now I’m Exploring North Dakota
One Legendary Adventure at a Time
Get to Know Me
A couple of things you Probably didn’t know..
- I have been to 47 out of 50 states. Delaware, Rhode Island, and New Mexico are the three that are left.
- I run a dog blog called Love Newfoundlands and am the founder of the globally celebrated holiday National Newfoundland Dog Day.
- I’ve been blogging since 2011 when I started a book blog called Forever Reading. College kind of killed my love of reading.
- I have a wall of canvas prints in my living room of all my favorite pictures I’ve taken in North Dakota.
- I’m an accomplished photographer and my work has been featured by Nikon Australia, AFAR, Expedia, and tourism boards around the world.
My North Dakota Bucket List
This is my personal list of things I want to see and experience in North Dakota by 2030.
| See the Northern Lights |
| Go Storm Chasing and Get a Picture of a Tornado |
| Find prickly pear cactus fruit in western North Dakota |
| Kayak camp the Sheyenne River Water Trail |
| Forage for asparagus |
| Visit the International Peace Gardens |
| Ride in a hot air balloon at the Medora Hot Air Balloon Rally |
| Kayak camp the Little Missouri from Medora to the North Unit |
| See the Medora Musical |
| Ride horses on the Maah Daah Hey Trail |
| Learn how to dark house spear fish |
| Kayak the James River from Jamestown to the SD border |