Grand Forks North Dakota And East Grand Forks Minnesota: Neighbors On The Red River Of The North.

I’ve been busy since I returned from my trip to North Dakota but will return to where i left off on Friday afternoon. After my  drive from Manitoba, and my visit to Turtle River State Park, I drove into the city  of Grand Forks. It is situated on the western bank of the Red River of the North, across  the river from it’s neighbor  in Minnesota, East Grand Forks.

Grand Forks  began as an agricultural  center.but  has now developed into a college town with  a more diversified economy.I checked  into a modest, but nicely maintained,  Red Roof Inn near the historic downtown and immediately took a walk to explore the city but it got dark and I got hungry.

I walked down Demers Avenue past newer apartment building, business and office building until I entered the historic downtown area.  I found many art exhibits, murals and parks throughout the downtown area, busy with many college students from the nearby University of North Dakota.

I walked by the impressive Court building and found my way to the banks of the Red River. As in almost every town or city in the upper Great Plains there were railroad tracks and a bridge crossing the river.

Demers Avenue also crossed the river and i was able to walk into the State of Minnesota and the town of East Grand Forks.  I didn’t since  walk far, the sun was setting and I was getting hungry so I headed back to my hotel. After a quick shower i had an superb dinner at Skye’s restaurant .  Here is a link to some more photographs of my evening walk in Grand Forks.https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/north-dakota-trip-photographs/nggallery/north-dakota-october-2015/north-dakota-grand-forks-afternoon-walk-october-16-2015

The sun doesn’t rise until nearly 8 A.M. so I was walking in the   twilight the next morning.   I headed over the bridge and into the state of Minnesota and East Grand Forks and got to watch the sunrise between the two cities.

I walked into East Grand Forks and noticed that mist of the building were new as was the beautiful City Hall Building.

I learned that the area was devastated by flooding in 1997 and much of the old to town was lost to flooding and fires. The town was rebuilt as well as a more elaborate flood control system which was incorporated into  beautiful park grounds.

I walked down to the banks of the Red River and enjoyed some quite time along the river . This is a link to some more photographs from my walk in East Grand Forks. http://keepyoureyespeeled.net/north-dakota-trip-photographs/nggallery/north-dakota-october-2015/east-grand-forks-minnesota-october-17-2015

I walked back into Grand Forks and meandered my way through the residential neighborhoods of the city near the river.

I love walking through the  residential streets of a city or town allies and streets since you can learn so much about the folks who leave there.  Although most cities have so much in common there are always  subtle differences and this is where to find them.

The streets were lined with trees and had well maintained gardens and lawns. And many were decorated for Halloween.

I  also like to find old buildings, cemeteries and places of worship and I came upon  the parish of St Michael’s Catholic Church.  Having been raised Catholic I always try and visit a Catholic church and I was surprised and pleased to find the church was open. Many are locked these days so I took advantage and entered the church and took photographs of the beautiful religious statutes, painting and stained glass window which brought back many memories of my own parish church. Here is a link to some more photographs from my visit to the church.https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/north-dakota-trip-photographs/nggallery/north-dakota-october-2015/north-dakota-grand-forks-st-michaels-catholic-church-october-17-2015

I meandered my way through the streets, passing again railroad tracks, some grocery stores , schools and businesses  until i made it back to my hotel. i wish I had more time to explore Grand Forks,  there was  so much  more to see, I didn’t even get to the University, but I had to make my way to Fargo. i did take many photographs and they can tell the story of this beautiful city on the upper Great Plains far better than I can. Please check them out in my galleries or in this link.https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/north-dakota-trip-photographs/nggallery/north-dakota-october-2015/north-dakota-grand-forks-morning-walk-october-17-2015  

“Wandering is the activity of the child, the passion of the genius; it is the discovery of the self, the discovery of the outside world, and the learning of how the self is both “at one with” and “separate from” the outside world. These discoveries are as fundamental to the soul as “learning to survive” is fundamental to the body. These discoveries are essential to realizing what it means to be human. To wander is to be alive.”
― Roman Payne