Ranger Sarah looks at the decorated buffalo rug. Below the rug is the the atuka, a high-sided seat reserved for the oldest man of the household. The atuka was also offered to visitors as a sign of respect.
— at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site.

Ranger Sarah enters the Earthlodge. Within traditional Hidatsa society, women owned and maintained the earthlodge or "awahte."
— at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site.

Ranger Sarah at the Earthlodge. The earthen structure is 40 ft across and has timbers that go around the circular structure to hold up the earth and grass on top with a mound shape. The door way has vertical logs in two rows that create the doorway with logs and earth on top.
— at Knife River Indian Villages NHS

Ranger Sarah starts her exploration of the park by heading to the Earthlodge.
— at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site.

Ranger Sarah nears the end of her loop around Pike Island.
— at Fort Snelling State Park.

Ranger Sarah continues along the Hiking Club Trail.
— at Fort Snelling State Park.

Ranger Sarah passes another trail marker on Pike Island. She likes how well the trails are marked.
— at Fort Snelling State Park.

Ranger Sarah hangs out on a cool "L" shaped tree.
— at Fort Snelling State Park.

As Ranger Sarah hikes the trail on Pike Island she thinks it would be cool to visit in the winter when you can ski the trails.
— at Fort Snelling State Park.

As Ranger Sarah hikes along the trail she can see the Mendota Bridge.
— at Fort Snelling State Park.

Ranger Sarah found a American pasqueflower (Anemone patens). One of the first plants to emerge and bloom in the spring, pasqueflower has upright, bell-shaped flowers that develop shortly after the first downy leaves appear. Plants grow 5 to 8 inches tall, blooming in March and April. Most often found on prairie hillsides & outcroppings with dry, nutrient-poor soils

Ranger Sarah passes over a small bridge along the trail. The North Country trail passes through North Dakota / Minnesota / Wisconsin / Michigan / Ohio / Pennsylvania / New York / Vermont.
—North Country NST in Fergus Falls, MN.

Ranger Sarah wonders if the whole trail is this well marked as she passes by another blue blaze. The trail was designated a National Scenic Trail by the United States Congress in 1980, and became an official unit of the National Park System in 2023.
—North Country NST in Fergus Falls, MN.

This spot doesn't look like much, but a ton of frogs are singing to Ranger Sarah as she passes by.
—North Country NST in Fergus Falls, MN.

Ranger Sarah passes another blue blaze as she continues along the North Country Trail. The trail runs from Lake Sakakawea State Park in North Dakota to the Appalachian Trail in Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont,
—North Country NST in Fergus Falls, MN.

Ranger Sarah continues along the North Country National Scenic Trail. The Trail is the longest in the National Trails System, stretching 4,800 miles across eight states from North Dakota to Vermont.
—North Country NST in Fergus Falls, MN.

Ranger Sarah hikes along the rolling grass covered hills as she hikes the North Country National Scenic Trail.
— in North Country National Scenic Trail.

Ranger Sarah takes a break before continuing her hike along the North Country National Scenic Trail
— in North Country National Scenic Trail.