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Couple gives up ‘normal’ life in North Dakota to wander the world

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Couple gives up ‘normal’ life in North Dakota to wander the world


FARGO — On a blustery winter day, when the payments are piling up and the family litter is getting the most effective of you, who hasn’t had that thought, be it ever so fleeting?

“I ought to simply chuck the whole lot and journey the world!”

It didn’t occur precisely like that for Fargoans Brad and Jenn Lindemann, however the finish outcome is similar — they left their regular 8-to-5, suburban life in North Dakota for a life confined solely by a Rand McNally map.

Their house is now the world as they’ve offered, donated or saved portion of their “previous” life in Fargo for a semi-nomadic life overseas.

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Family and friends at residence can sustain with their travels on the web site and weblog they only began known as

Removed from Far.

The Lindemanns are sharing their adventures and journey recommendations on their web site and weblog Removed from Far.

Contributed / Removed from Far

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Within the weblog, Jenn explains their newly discovered way of life like this:

“Peripatetic is outlined as ‘touring from place to position, specifically working or based mostly in varied locations for comparatively brief intervals.’ A nomad is outlined as ‘an individual who doesn’t keep lengthy in the identical place; a wanderer.’ Many different phrases can be utilized to outline our location-independent way of life, equivalent to digital nomad, vagabond, wayfarer, adventurer, drifter, slomad, and traveler.”

Jenn, a local of Portland, North Dakota, who has labored as an government assistant, and Brad, who grew up in Fargo and works in logistics for a grain processing and buying and selling firm, took off from Fargo’s Hector Airport on Nov. 7, 2022, to start out their new life, spending two to 3 months at a time in several nations world wide, with no speedy plans to settle wherever completely.

At present, they’re dwelling in London the place they sat down for a telephone interview to speak about how cautious planning and out-of-box considering bought them to the place they’re as we speak and the recommendation they’ve for anybody who may wish to observe of their footsteps. Right here is their dialog:

How did the concept to depart ‘regular’ life in Fargo behind to journey the world start?

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Jenn Lindemann: It was a course of. Each time that we took a visit we could not wait till our subsequent one. On our manner residence, if we did not have one other journey booked already we have been each simply so disillusioned. We each simply actually acknowledged how a lot we like to journey. I began subscribing to blogs about journey and stumbled upon those that did this. I used to be like, it’s attainable to do that. Actually, it is a factor?

LindemannHector.jpg

The Lindemanns at Fargo’s Hector Worldwide Airport as they left for his or her new life overseas on Nov. 7, 2022. The departure got here after shut to 5 years of planning.

Contributed / Jenn Lindemann

So how did you broach the topic with Brad?

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Jenn: I do know him nicely sufficient to know that he is an adventurous spirit too. However his profession was taking off and I believed nicely, perhaps he wouldn’t be prepared for one more 10 or 15 years. However I simply stated “what do you assume if we give up our jobs and journey the world?” and he simply type of sat there and checked out me.

Brad Lindemann: It took me about 10 seconds to right away fall in love with the concept. I used to be born in Minot, moved to Fargo once I was 6 weeks previous, then lived in Fargo my whole life. I all the time wished to journey, however I didn’t know find out how to make it a actuality.

Jenn: We talked about it on and off for some time. However we did not actually grow to be severe about it till most likely 5 years in the past after we stated, “let’s completely simply plan this, let’s handle it.”

So then it’s essential to have needed to promote your home and do away with lots of your belongings?

Jenn: Sure, and it was a course of! It is not an in a single day factor. And I do know, as soon as we began, I believe we simply shortly realized how a lot this suits our priorities and our way of life and our plans for the longer term.

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To begin getting ready for his or her life overseas in 2018 the Lindemanns started to embrace a minimalist way of life — promoting, donating or gifting away most of their possessions. Additionally they offered their residence. Most of what they now personal can slot in a storage storage.

Contributed / Jenn Lindemann

Brad: We realized fairly shortly in our marriage that “maintaining with the neighbors” wasn’t satisfying. Everyone seems to be all the time going to have one thing you don’t. It’s pointless and nobody wins. Some days are more durable than others and it’s a endless course of. I nonetheless have an excessive amount of stuff and I solely have a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. We’ve been engaged on this for 5 years and it’s nonetheless a piece in progress. The $1 rule has been extraordinarily useful: Something we purchase must have a worth of lower than $1 per use. A $100 piece of clothes must be worn not less than 100 occasions in any other case we don’t purchase it.

If you went all-in for this new life, how did individuals react?

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Jenn: Once we truly began telling a greater variety of individuals we have been going to do that, we bought lots of clean stares. I didn’t know find out how to interpret that. Apart from I believe individuals both did not know even the place to start and what to ask or they only made their very own assumptions about our life.

Folks should have assumed you’re independently rich, proper?

Jenn: Proper, sure, precisely! And we’re not by the best way. Not even shut. But when you concentrate on it, we don’t have a mortgage, we don’t have automotive funds. We don’t have lots of insurance coverage anymore. We pay hire generally, however we’re additionally pet-sitting. In order that’s free lodging. Usually, our bills are lots lower than after we lived within the U.S.

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Jenn Lindemann stated the concept to reside overseas was born, partly, about 5 years in the past. She and her husband Brad beloved occurring trip (together with this journey to San Francisco) and they’d really feel disillusioned in the event that they did not have one other one already deliberate once they flew residence from the final one.

Contributed / Jenn Lindemann

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Inform me concerning the pet-sitting

Jenn: The place we’re at proper now we’ve got one canine. Oh, he is only a sweetheart. His title is Max. And the homeowners — she’s from New Zealand, he is from England — they hadn’t been again there since 2020. In order that they took off for New Zealand for a month. So we’re with Max at their place. With pet-sitting you simply meet the nicest individuals. After which they’re additionally nice for providing you with suggestions. So we have already got suggestions for after we go to New Zealand. It is nice to get that connection as nicely. We actually love that. It has been one in all our favourite issues thus far.

lindemannmax.JPG

The Lindemanns are at the moment staying within the London residence of a pair visiting New Zealand. Jenn and Brad are pet-sitting Max, who Jenn stated “instantly took us to the park and his favourite espresso spot.”

Contributed / Jenn Lindemann

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Do you get to do lots of sightseeing? Is that this a continuous trip?

Jenn: The vast majority of our days are literally spent at residence, you understand, behind pc screens, cooking meals, caring for pets, planning our subsequent vacation spot and watching Netflix, like actually simply regular, on a regular basis issues. Brad works remotely, and I’m busy engaged on the weblog and web site. Our days are usually not glamorous. They actually aren’t. I imply, do not get me improper, I believe we’re extraordinarily lucky to get to discover the world. I do know that there are many individuals that do not have this chance. So I positively am very grateful for that.

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The Lindemanns have been in London since November 2022, the place they’ve had the possibility to go to many native websites. However Jenn stated it is not a continuous trip. They’ve a fairly regular life working remotely, grocery purchasing, watching Netflix and doing extra “on a regular basis issues.”

Contributed / Jenn Lindemann

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The place are you going subsequent?

Jenn: We’ll be going to Paris after which to the south of France for 3 weeks. Our daughter and her boyfriend will probably be visiting for spring break. (Jenn is the mom and Brad is the stepfather to 2 kids; Noah Bolgrean, 23 and Laura Bolgrean, 21. Noah just lately visited Jenn and Brad in England). We fly residence in Could. After which we will probably be going to Eire and I believe we’ll Germany in June. We’ve talked about Romania too, however we’re undecided about that, then Croatia in September.

How do you deal with the language barrier in non-English talking nations?

Jenn: Google Translate is only a godsend for anyone. I imply, it truly is. However we all the time attempt to study slightly little bit of the language in any nation that we go to. Simply the fundamentals, “howdy,” “goodbye,” “the place’s the toilet?” However we’ve additionally had nice conversations with individuals who completely do not converse English. We mainly play charades and all of us have giggle about it!

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We wish to change individuals’s views of the world. We actually wish to develop individuals’s views and know that it is not a scary place.

Jenn Lindemann

Do you miss something about Fargo?

Jenn: Clearly our household and mates. I imply, for positive Fargo will all the time maintain a really particular place in our hearts. However the different day, we began itemizing off the locations we couldn’t wait to eat at after we come again residence.

Brad: Buffalo Wild Wings, I can’t look forward to Caribbean Jerk Wings and I am planning to order 17 sides of ranch. An in depth second and third could be a Bison Turf burger and fried pickles at The Toasted Frog.

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Jenn: Have you ever ever had the steak and cheese French sandwich at SouthTown PourHouse? It is like a 12 out of 10. It’s so scrumptious! Vinyl Taco, too! England is not recognized for excellent meals. Apart from I’ll let you know, we got here to England and fell in love with Indian meals. Large Indian inhabitants and Bangladeshi populations right here. Oh my goodness. It’s so scrumptious!

If anybody else ever does wish to do that, my recommendation is simply to do it. Get your passport. Go! Do not be afraid of the world. No matter your dream is, do it! You get one life, proper?

Jenn Lindemann, who left Fargo for a life overseas

What have you ever loved about your new life and what classes have you ever discovered?

Brad: On daily basis is a brand new journey and the surroundings is all the time altering. Don’t just like the meals? We’re solely right here two weeks. Too chilly? We’ll be someplace hotter subsequent month. There’s all the time one thing new proper across the nook to stay up for.

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Jenn: Through the years, I believe we’ve simply realized how small the world is, simply seeing totally different views however realizing mainly, everybody needs the identical issues out of life. Everybody needs to produce other individuals round them, to like them. They need safety, they need security, We’ve met individuals everywhere in the world and they’re nonetheless our mates. We wish to change individuals’s views of the world. We actually wish to develop individuals’s views and know that it is not a scary place.

What ideas do you will have for individuals touring internationally and even individuals seeking to do what you’ve executed?

Brad: Don’t over-plan. A part of the enjoyable of being in a foreign country is exploring and even getting slightly misplaced. Pack gentle — you’ll be able to truly purchase most issues in different nations. Get out of your consolation zone and discover past the common “vacationer” websites. Meet some locals. You’ll not remorse it.

Jenn: If anybody else ever does wish to do that, my recommendation is simply to do it. Get your passport. Go! Do not be afraid of the world. No matter your dream is, do it! You get one life, proper? And you really want to determine what you wish to do with it. I am glad we’ve got discovered that that is what we wish to do, for now not less than. I completely may by no means have thought that this might be what I did, however we’re doing it.

To observe the Lindemann’s travels, study budget-saving journey ideas and discover out extra about home and pet-sitting, go to their weblog at

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North Dakota

How gas prices have changed in North Dakota in the last week – 7/19/2024

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How gas prices have changed in North Dakota in the last week – 7/19/2024


STACKER — The typically busy summer driving season tends to lead to more demand for gasoline and, in turn, higher prices at the pump. But that hasn’t happened this summer, and analysts aren’t sure of the reason.

“[Drivers] appear to be staying off the road, and the recent scorching heat is possibly to blame. Maybe things will pick up soon,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement Thursday, adding that prices could dip even lower.

Prices are several cents above their levels a month ago, but a gallon of gas is still cheaper than it was this same time last summer. The U.S. has been producing a large amount of gasoline to bolster domestic supply, another factor that can push prices downward. The total amount of gasoline in the U.S. supply is slightly above the five-year average, according to Energy Information Administration data.

Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in North Dakota. Gas prices are as of July 19.

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North Dakota by the numbers
– Gas current price: $3.39
– Week change: $0.00 (0.0%)
– Year change: -$0.08 (-2.3%)
– Historical expensive gas price: $4.80 (6/15/22)

– Diesel current price: $3.65
– Week change: -$0.01 (-0.2%)
– Year change: -$0.13 (-3.3%)
– Historical expensive diesel price: $5.62 (6/25/22)

Metros with most expensive gas in North Dakota
#1. Minot: $3.48
#2. Bismarck: $3.48
#3. Grand Forks (ND only): $3.27
#4. Fargo-Moorhead (ND only): $3.24

States with the most expensive gas
#1. California: $4.72
#2. Hawaii: $4.70
#3. Washington: $4.27

States with the least expensive gas
#1. Mississippi: $3.00
#2. Louisiana: $3.10
#3. Texas: $3.12

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This article originally appeared on Stacker, and was produced and distributed through a partnership with Stacker Studio. It has been republished pursuant to a CC by NC 4.0 License.



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Why is driving deadlier on North Dakota roads in the summer?

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Why is driving deadlier on North Dakota roads in the summer?


BISMARCK — With serious and fatal crashes consistently rolling in during the 100 deadliest days on the road between Memorial Day and Labor Day, North Dakota safety leaders are cautioning drivers about the “false sense of security” bright summer days can spark.

That sense of safety when the snow clears has earned North Dakota the unfortunate accolade of being named the state with the most reckless drivers by

Travel and Leisure.

While many point to high rates of intoxicated driving, cheap speeding tickets and the state’s rural road networks as reasons for crashes or reckless driving, officials in the state see a clear trend between summer driving conditions and catastrophic collisions.

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During the 100 deadliest days, fatal crashes are twice as likely, according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s 2022 Crash Summary

report.

Since the end of May, there have been nearly 50 serious-injury or fatal crashes statewide, according to a Forum analysis of reports from the North Dakota Highway Patrol. Approximately one-third of those crashes were fatal, surpassing last year’s numbers at this point in the year.

Several of those crashes involved motorcyclists not wearing helmets and drivers or passengers not using seat belts.

A recent crash near Jamestown that left two children dead,

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as well as the driver and another child critically injured, has officials emphasizing the risks of summer driving. The mother of the two boys said they were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

Combining risk factors like not using restraints or safety gear with faster summer driving speeds can be a recipe for disaster.

“The clear roads and the good weather conditions often give people a false sense of security. They know that they can travel faster,” said Karin Mongeon, director of NDDOT’s Highway Safety Division.

“Really, the winter weather in North Dakota slows people down,” she said.

Mongeon works closely with Vision Zero, a government initiative created in 2018 aiming to decrease statewide fatalities by preventing reckless driving behaviors.

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Motorists drive through the busy intersection at 13th Ave and 45th Street in Fargo on Friday, July 19, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

The program prioritizes areas of concern based on statewide data submitted by county law enforcement. Prominent dangerous behaviors include drunken driving, lack of seat belt use and speeding.

Mongeon said that although any number above zero is devastating, there has been a decrease in road-related deaths in North Dakota since the initiative began.

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From 2017 to 2022, fatalities decreased by over 15%, dipping below 100 and the national average for the first time in decades, according to the 2022 NDDOT crash summary. Of the 98 fatalities in 2022, 69% of people were not wearing seat belts, 38% of crashes were alcohol-related, 31% involved speed and or aggressive driving and 48% involved lane departures.

071724.DrivingFatalitiesBymonth.NDDOT

Driving fatalities skyrocket in the warmer months in North Dakota.

Contributed / North Dakota Department of Transportation

A 2023 report is set to be released in September, which will denote 106 deaths. Despite the spike, Mongeon said she anticipates the downward trend to continue.

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Education and outreach have proven to be vital components of Vision Zero, according to Sgt. Jenna Clawson Huibregtse, the Highway Patrol’s safety and education officer.

Schools can designate themselves as Vision Zero schools, leaving it up to the students to pick their initiative, like distracted driving or wearing seat belts. Coordinators recruit by attending community events and sending representatives to school board meetings.

The Highway Patrol also recently began releasing crash information regularly on social media. Crash reports are also available on

the agency’s website.

“We’ve noticed that if we attach a face and a name and put all of our information in one place, that it is making a difference,” Clawson Huibregtse said.

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“We live in such a great state; there’s responsible people driving every single day making good decisions, but we want people to be aware of the reality of what’s on the road and what our troopers see every day,” she said.

Another Vision Zero approach to safer roads involves physically rebuilding them.

Wider center and shoulder lines, roundabouts in place of intersections and more rumble strips are some projects keeping state engineers like Justin Schlosser busy. Since implementing more roundabouts alone, overall crash numbers have decreased by a

third, according to an NDDOT traffic study published earlier this month.

“If there’s a crash (in a roundabout), you’re going to have some kind of sideswipe or rear-end, which are typically less severe injury crashes than an angle crash, usually the most severe type of crash you can get into,” Schlosser said.

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“There’s just a bigger emphasis on driver safety and making sure that we don’t lose any lives on our roadways, but Vision Zero has definitely put a higher emphasis on that and helped us get in the right direction,” he added.

Clawson Huibregtse pointed to another factor in reckless driving — speeding tickets.

North Dakota has some of the lowest citation fees in the nation, with amounts ranging from $5 to $100, depending on the zone. Offenders traveling 16 to 20 mph above the speed limit, for example, pay $15. Thirty-six to 45 over is a $70 fine and 46 mph-plus results in a $100 fine, as stated in the

Century Code.

“It’s just not a deterrent at all for people to not behave recklessly when they know that there’s really no financial penalty,” Clawson Huibregtse said. “And it shouldn’t come down to that, it should come to the life and limb thing, but it just comes down to people’s pocketbooks sometimes.”

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Increasing citation amounts has been struck down at past legislative sessions. But with more public interest in the issue, Clawson Huibregtse said she wouldn’t be surprised if the topic resurfaces this coming session.

“We hope, the more we work together across agencies, that we’re going to bring that number to zero, or as close as we can to zero,” she said.





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United Liberian Association of North Dakota to celebrate Liberia Independence Day

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United Liberian Association of North Dakota to celebrate Liberia Independence Day


Fargo — “We have been in the Fargo Moorhead area, you know, most of the time. You know the community. You know our host. They don’t see us. You know, very often. we want to ensure that, you know, we showcase, you know, the number of people, the Liberian people, that live here,” said Zlandorper Behyee, Treasurer of ULAND.

The United Liberian Association of North Dakota is celebrating Liberia Independence Day in Fargo for the 15th year, and organizers say instead of a hosting it in a community hall, they’re bringing the festivities outdoors.

“We’re looking at unity, coming together, bringing our community together, recognition and also diversity within our community where we live,” said ULAND President Ebenezer Saye.

Liberia was the first nation on the African continent to gain its independence from the U.S. on July 26, 1847.

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Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, the organization will host a soccer game for boys and girls at the Pepsi Soccer Complex in north Fargo.

At 5 p.m., there will be a formal program with city officials.

Throughout the festivities, organizers say there will be African music, food, and traditions.

My name is Anne Sara, better known as Sara.
I was born an only child in Port-au-prince, Haiti and moved to the U.S at the age of 2.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is where I was raised.
After graduating with my bachelor degree at Albright College, I moved to Florida to continue my studies.
WDAY is the reason why I moved to North Dakota.

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