Letter from Doreen Larson Moran (‘BHS 61): Usk, WA & Hazelton, ND

Hi Gary – I sent this to Dean Bakken then thought you might enjoy the travel report. Bob and I went past the Ackworth school and cemetery. The cemetery looks to be a peaceful resting place. I could see where the latest graves had been added. A few leaves were on some of the trees in the hills but most have blown off. We were trying to find Oscar and Syvlia Bergan’s place but I couldn’t figure it out. I should have had an older atlas along. My 2006 Atlas is good for current people and had the markings for the oil well activity. Dad would take me along to watch the drilling in 1951 when that first John Huss well went in just north of Bill and Ann Johnson’s farm. (just north and east of Nordland Church).

—–Original Message—–
From: “Doreen Moran”

We got to ND about Oct 6th. I have been in the hills all the time but will head to Hazelton today or tomorrow. Bob did a bit of duck hunting – no shooting. too warm and the northern ducks haven’t come down yet. Probably will now since it did drop some snow but the temps are to go back to the forties and maybe low fifties. Deer season starts next Fri so we will be back here in the Hills at the Farm.

Sad note for passage of time – the Ben Iverson house got burned on Tue. Had a couple good days of rain so the trees wouldn’t get so much damage. We were coming back from a Concert Series about 9:30 at night and saw the orange glow of fire. Scary to say the least. We kept driving north and saw the sillhoute of the whole house engulfed in the flames. Richard found out at morning coffee at the Sawmill Corner Stop that it was a controlled burn. I think Vestree owns the place and probably is planning to build new. Les Nelson has made a clearning on Nels Larson’s old place to put all of his big equipment. I think it was pretty well hidden when the trees had leaves on but can see the blight now. Les also cleared all around the Merle Sivertson (Mensvil Larson) place on east side of Lake Metigoshe Christian Center. Guess he has plans to feed cattle all winter there.

Bob and I took a long ride through the hills on Tue. We went over to Highway 14 to the Souris road and then north to the Turtle Mtn Church which is in Dalen township and drove north for 3 miles. OIL well activity is moving along, but not the fast pace as in further west. Along that rode is a pad with 3 oil storage tanks; pad with new well getting drilled; pad with large pumper going strong; new cleared ground for next pad to go in. Also on one of the areas is a two or three dozen “man camp” housing set up. Think the different pieces of land are Fett; Berge; maybe Bernstein; Lindstrom land; Seter. As we picked up the Peace Garden Road, we took time to drive through the Twisted Oaks & Strawberry Lake Campgrounds. Then we drove the road past Pedies going east; came out by Kenny Pederson’s place then east and north again to Birchwood areas (golf course and the Canadian Border line); around Lake Metigoshe and north through the State Park and up to old Boy Scout lands that also included Rost Lake where Bob had his survival training camp from 1960-1966 (from there was sent to Clark AFB PI). Found good jeep trails to the east and got to the Orlando Larson farm; after that had some good and some not so good roads just going pretty much east on a road they now call 107 St NE and 108 St NE. We drove all the way through Homen and then the township in Rollette Co before getting back on the Peace Garden Road – or Highway 43 as they call it now. We had a trip of 105 miles. Was interesting; some new places are being built; roads were in reasonable shape most places; (for a Jeep at any rate)

It is good to be in a place where the pace is still not so fast. Anita was here a couple weekends ago. We got lots of Scrabble games down in our logbook. Last weekend Glenore, Richard and I went to Anita’s then to Fargo for serious shopping. Glenore’s daughter Angie is getting married in Bellevue Nov 11 so new dress; new shoes; Richard also got new sport coat etc. Anita and I stayed at their farm on Sunday and let Glenore shop alone to her heart’s content on Sunday but all of us were out again on Monday. West Fargo is something else but Anita knows where all the good places are or the ones that probably have when G was looking for. Did take time for a Big Lots and Sam’s Club. I do a lot of sitting and watching people, especially when it is mall time.

Earl Roland said that this spring over 20 beaver were shot in Oak Creek going on his place; there are still so many beaver around. That little pond by our “little place” (south of Nels Larson) is full and almost overflowed the road. Beaver have several houses in lakes and ponds all around. Saw where the beaver cut down at least six more trees yesterday. Lake Harmon here just north of the farm is still as high as it was in early summer and last year. Bob had the boat in for his duck hunt over on the nortwest side area.

Not sure if this is a share item but I felt you would appreciate my travelogue.
Doreen – from the Hills of ND