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Bismarck, the state capital you never knew

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And on this day of days, the USA’s 250th anniversary, a shout-out to Bismarck, the state capital you never knew.

Because while the powerhouses of New York, Boston, Philly, DC, Chicago, Miami, Vegas, San Francisco and LA will hold the biggest parties.

America is bound by its Capitol motto E pluribus unum… out of the many few.

Which means that the lesser-known Bismarck is just as important as any of the 49 others and the District of Colombia’s colossus.

And on my radar ever since my American History tutor Ted Ranson put me back in my box.

When I berated the Americans I’d met on my first trip to New York for not knowing Edinburgh was the capital of Scotland.

The awesome Ted

So Ted challenged me to name the capital of North Dakota.

Which since 1873 so near enough 150 years ago has been known as Bismarck.

Renamed from Edwintom for the-then German Iron Chancellor, whose career I also tracked as a history major.

By the Northern Pacific Railway to attract German investment and European immigrants to the developing Dakota Territory.

Consigning Edwin Ferry Johnson, the railroad’s engineer-in-chief, to a note in history.

And his brother by a different mother

So because nowhere else will you find the 250th July 4th focus on Bismarck, North Dakota, we will.

And we heard it straight from the horse’s mouth when we met up with adopted North Dakotan Teddy Roosevelt.

When we reminisced over his treks with Scots Father of the National Parks John Muir.

And the totemic Teddy waxed lyrical about the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library slated for this very day.

In Medora, 155 miles, or two hours’ drive, along Interstate 94 West.

Read all about it

Teddy’s library covers eight chapters of his storied life.

Beginning with his childhood in New York City, followed by his early adulthood.

Including his formative time ranching and hunting in the Little Missouri Badlands in the 1880s.

Which puts us in this place at this time in North Dakota.

Dakota makes you feel like the one

Now the first pit stop for anyone wanting to know what is happening today, even if virtually from abroad is the America250 site.

So you can enjoy Mandan Rodeo Days, the North Border Bronco Rally in Walhalla.

The Turtle Mountain Chief Little Shell Memorial Powwow in Dunseith.

And bringing it back to Teddy as always must the Broadway hit (and we love a Broadway show) Teddy & Alice: An American Musical.

Now wherever he is now my old hippie Americanophile tutor Ted will be proud.

That I have explored many of the places and faces he enthused us with back in those heady student days in Aberdeen.

Like his hero and namesake Ted you were our Man in the Arena.

Now door to door my American odyssey would be a 16-hour marathon through the Eastern seaboard or Chicago.

America, Countries

When Teddy Roosevelt followed John Muir’s way

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And because Americans have much to thank him for, today we remember when Teddy Roosevelt followed John Muir’s way.

Which, of course, we talked about when we hooked up with Teddy last year in Chicago.

And no, we’re not that old to have been there.

When the US President and the Scots conservationist and explorer made history back in 1903.

Teddy, steady go

But we did the next best thing, chewing the fat with Joe Wiegand.

Today’s foremost Teddy Roosevelt, who channels everything there is to be said about the 26th Commander-in-Chief.

And was quick to tell me when he picked up on my accent of his Scottish roots through his mum Mittie Bulloch.

But he had little to say on his friendship with Dunbar, East Lothian-born Muir.

Well, Teddy’s memory may be failing him, being 168 now.

Although Teddy and John went on a three-night camping trip together.

And the Scot took the time to persuade the American how he could help preserved the Great American Outdoors.

The Great Outdoors

During Teddy’s presidency he placed 230 million acres of public land under government protection.

Including the iconic landmarks such as the Yosemite Valley and the Grand Canyon.

He became a close friend of Muir who had written: “Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness.

“All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter.”

Walking in their footsteps

Now it was always Teddy and John’s earnest hope that we would check out the Yosemite Valley and Grand Canyon for ourselves.

While we can also mark John Muir’s legacy by visiting John Muir’s Birthplace in Dunbar.

Or walking the 134-mile John Muir Way.

From the east coast of Scotland, past my house in North Berwick, to Helensburgh on the west coast.

While Teddy’s Presidential Library will be in keeping with the Great Man on a different scale when it is opened on June 30.

A 93-acre site, a mile and a half west of Medora, North Dakota and celebrating the Great Outdoors.

And when Teddy Roosevelt followed John Muir’s way.

We’d expect too that there will always be a place for Teddy Bears to have a picnic.

America, Countries

Take your Teddy on an RV tour of the US National Parks

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And inspired by the Great Man himself the drive is on to take your Teddy on an RV tour of the US National Parks this year.

Particularly with the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the first US National Monument hoving into view next year.

Now dinner party bores will tell you that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure you can see from space.

So why then did aliens alight on the Devils Tower monolith in Wyoming in Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

Teddy’s Trail

Now no president championed the Great American Outdoors more than its 26th, Teddy Roosevelt.

While nobody had his ear more than John Muir, the legendary Scots conservationist.

We heard first hand from the immortal Teddy at IPW, the American Travel Fair, in Chicago.

With the Great Raconteur waxing lyrical about the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library next year in North Dakota.

And alighting on a Scotlander about his own Scottish roots through his mother Martha.

Which mirrors another future NY President though Manhattan Man Teddy was quick to point out Donald Trump is a Queens Man.

Devil of a good time

Every June, the Devils Tower closes to rock climbers so that the tribes can celebrate their spiritual practices.

To truly appreciate the Tower, take the 1.3-mile Tower Trail, winding around the base for the best chance to see the rock from all sides.

Devils Tower National Monument is open for visitors year-round, and admission is $25/£19 per vehicle.

The West is best

RV specialists Journeyscape have picked out The Close Encounters landmark as a topical highlight.

Of its Icons and National Parks of the Great American West by Motorhome.

The 15-day holiday costs from £2,950pp including motorhome rental (but excluding international flights).

Traditionally, of course, pioneers would reach the Wild West by wagon, stagecoach and through the grand Denver Union Station.

And we’d certainly recommend that as we would flying into Denver International Airport, in the apron of the Rockies.

The open road

Your Journeyscape tour will take in five states, your launch pad, Colorado and taking in four of the five states under the Great American West umbrella.

That’ll be Wyoming, Montana and North and South Dakota… you’ll arrange your own private Idaho in your own time.

But for a starter Badlands National Park, Spearfish Canyon, Devils Tower, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Salt Lake City ain’t bad, eh?

So take your Teddy on an RV tour of the US National Parks.