Bismark, ND – 5/8/2017 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

May 8, 2017 (Monday)

Slept really well. The beds are comfortable. Woke up to rain. Bummer. Michael and I went down to the breakfast room and had a really nice breakfast. The selection here is much larger than the ones we’ve been having lately. At this breakfast they had fresh fruit, eggs that looked and smelled like eggs, turkey sausage, cereals, breads, yogurt, etc. Nice. Also, the young man working the room would come and clear dishes and clean up quickly.

We finally got ourselves moving around noon and went to the State Capitol. We were a little confused as to what was the State Capitol but we were told by some employees that the whole area was the Capitol Complex (over 100 acres). We went to the main building, a high rise that looked like a big office building or prison) and that was the Capitol.

Our eyes are delighted and our sinuses are killing us.

Perhaps our worst selfie ever. Pretty woman is being so stern and I am trying my best to imitate Gabby Hayes. (It was very windy.)

The curved wall turns out to be part of the House floor.

The outside does not do it justice as it’s not pretty at all on the outside but the inside is spectacular and art decco. Had copper, brass, beautiful wood work, granite, etc.

We went through security and waited on the 1:00 PM tour. While we were waiting we walked around and got to see the “Theodore Roosevelt Rough Riders Award” recipients. Didn’t realize Angie Dickinson was from North Dakota! Was fun reading about the other North Dakota people and what they accomplished to become a “Rough Rider” winner.

Famous and/or accomplished North Dakotan.

When the tour guide came for the tour, she said she was not going to give the 1:00 PM tour because there was going to be a tornado drill. We decided to just go ahead and do the self-guided and hide somewhere during the drill. We walked upstairs and everything was a wow factor. So beautiful. We thought Frank Lloyd Wright might have had a hand in the design of the building. We could not believe the building was completed in 1934. It looked so new. It has been maintained and kept up perfectly.

Huge light fixtures meant to represent a wheat head.

Above one revolving door a symbol for miners and above the other agriculture.

We peeked into the Governor’s Office.

Just got a peek into the reception area.

We got to see the Senate (that was where we hid during the tornado drill), the House, the atrium near the Supreme Court (which was closed). Just beautiful inside and totally different than any other.

Alcove seating in the hall between the House and Senate chambers.

The indirect lighting is wonderful throughout.

83+ years old and still fantastic, looks new to us.

The lighting, wood and brass have a wonderful feel and delight my eyes.

There were so many fine touches everywhere.

Copper clock with brass hands. Pretty woman loved it.

Grand and all built for about 2 million dollars.

This is some of the best matched marble I have ever seen.

Love the visible joints on the curve in the wall on the left.

This wood was steamed and curved and then dried with the curve in place. Journeymen work.

We went up to the observation deck.

Big view from the 18th floor observation deck.

After we were done, we went to the Cracker Barrel and had lunch. We also turned in our book on tape and got a new one. We had to rush a little bit because we had a 3:30 PM appointment to get the car serviced. We had been getting the notice on the dashboard for quite awhile now but we’ve been moving almost daily and didn’t have the time to stop until now (since we’re here for two nights). We got the car in and the service department was excellent and much cheaper than in California. We even got the batteries changed in our car keys!

We are now home, full tummies, and ready to rest up for a long drive tomorrow. That was our day. Hope yours was great!