North Dakota...Street Signs and Turn Signals Optional

I have had a number of moments when I feel that North Dakota should be called Aspieville. For one thing...the natives don't gesture or show affect unless actively engaged. Seriously...it is really hard to get a wave out of some people.
Another Aspiebit...people respect each others space and every single N. Dakotan has a huge personal space...as big and wide as the vistas. They don't pry and if anyone stares at all...it is ever so brief as to be nothing more then a momentary flicker.
I can't read them at all due to the whole lack of affect thing. There is No Drama here, and very little yelling at the kids.
The area, the people, the cows, the animals at the zoo...everyone and everything is sedate, peaceful and I feel like I have swallowed one huge tranquilizer...seriously. Placid would be a great word to describe the overall mood.
Jobs are plentiful with help Wanted signs EVERYWHERE. Reading the local newspaper is a joy..there is scant crime and they write in an intelligable, coherent, no nonsense way. Reading about the local activiteis adn way of life...farm reports are really quite a hoot..its easy to get a flavor for this area...ad it is definitely the most pleasant place that I have ever had the privilage of vacationing.
The views...omg, to say that the landscapes are beautiful is a serious understament. Its quite dreamy, soft, rolling, carpets of color..lavenders, greens of all shades, and every beige, rust and brown imaginable. I had no idea so beauty could exist in one domain.
I feel happy, content, at home, conected, safe, secure and loved in the plains of the heartland.
People are kind and helpful. At first I thought they might be stand-offish but upon closer examination, they are just Dakotans..its their way of life, who they are, how they feel. Nope, I can't read them at all...can't tell you what they are feeling or what could be going on in their lives...are they happy, sad, confused, disillusioned, over worked, under paid, having a good day or bad...they give nothing away.
There is no litter or graffiti anywhere. They don't put a lot of stock, or work into keeping up their public restrooms...very no nonsense and basic.
Oh yeah, street signs are optional...I stayed overnight in a small town of 1,700, Garrison, and there were dozens of small town intersections with absolutely no Stop or yeild signs at all. Now That drove me nuts because I and to stop at everyone. Oh, and they named their streets rather oddly...believe it or not 1st St SE and 1st NW intersected. As did 2nd and 2nd and so on....not a lot of imagination here. Little signs of creativity...no flourish save the remarkable Enchanted Highway with half a dozen ginormous, fanciful metal sculptures.
And yup, turn signals aren't used a whole lot either....I think it depends on which way the ever-present winds are blowing.
I am having a wonderful vacation and just wanted to share some of my musings and observations while they are fresh...the ride continues, as does my journey...tomorrow we start heading back for a couple days in Wisconsin to visit the in-laws...i am definitely going to miss the sights and feel of North Dakota :)

What About Bob? Movie Review, Bill Murray

Okay, if you like a good comedy and can laugh at your own phobias, and your a fan of the fabulous Bill Murray, check out the 1991 flick "What About Bob?"
Bob is a heavily neurotic being who latches on to psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin (and his family) played by Richard Dreyfus. Basically Bob think Dr. Leo can help him so he stalks him to his vacation home, gets acquainted and excepted by Dr. Leos wife and kids and loses most of his major phobias.
The first time I watched this movie, way back when, it was challenging because I suffered from many of the same phobias Bob does...agoraphobia, mysophobia (fear of germs, dirt, contamination),aquaphobia (fear of water or drowning), claustrophobia amongst others, so it was a rather sad state of affairs.
This past year I have had the opportunity to watch it again and liked it so much more. One of my favorite characters is "Gill" the goldfish that is Bobs constant travel companion and bestest friend.
I enjoy watching bob overcome his many challenges with just a little help from some kind, compassionate friends, especially Dr. Leos two teenagers who take Bob under their wing. Bob thrives...the phobias abate and it has a happy ending (my favorite) Check it out sometime.... :)