This past weekend is a blur.

After wrapping up last week’s paper and making sure everything was organized for the rodeo, Scott and I headed north, to Fargo, where I was a finalist (and eventually named the winner) of the National Federation of Press Women’s Communicator of Achievement.

We decided to take the less-traveled path and support small-town businesses. Word to the wise: call ahead, especially if you need to make a reservation. After driving around a South Dakota town for 20 minutes, only to discover none of the places had vacancies ... even though none of the establishments’ parking lots were full. Thank goodness for smart phones and the Choice hotel app, even though it meant departing from our original route and heading to Sioux Falls.

After a restful night, we embarked on the journey once again, sticking to I-29. Here’s what we learned: rest areas are not prevalent along the route, fuel prices are better at stations located near the interstate and the choice of radio stations, without XM Radio, is not much of a choice.

If you haven’t visited Fargo, it’s a mix of old and new. The conference took place downtown, a historic district featuring unique shops, restaurants, coffee houses, art offerings and lodging. We stayed in an Airbnb, which there seem to be plenty of, most at reasonable rates.

Following a Thursday evening reception, we strolled through an arts and crafts show set up near the public green space. Area vendors hawked homemade goods and eateries sold a wide variety of foods. Several local music groups performed in the open space, while kids cooled off by running through a splash pad.

Downtown Fargo has a distinct vibe. Nearly every alleyway includes art, with several interactive displays painted for youngsters. Many buildings feature historic markers, outlining the significance of the structures. Embedded in the sidewalk at each corner, are bricks depicting the town’s railroad history.

West Fargo offers more modern amenities and sprawling subdivisions. Across the Red River Bridge, Moorhead, Minnesota, offers a blend of craft breweries and a salute to the town’s Scandinavian history, including a Viking ship replica Hjemkomst and its voyage to Norway in 1982. Outside the museum sits a replica of the Hopperstad Norwegian Stave Church, which dates back to the 1100s. It’s stunning wood crafting.

During Friday’s awards banquet at the Radisson Blue, two things happened outside. First, the waitstaff converged on the windows on the world, pulling out cell phones, snapping photos. A three-block long procession marched past the hotel, protesting the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. We had seen protesters hoisting signs in the air earlier in the day, but now, hours later, the handful of three or four turned into hundreds of peaceful demonstrators.

Later, an ominous storm cloud passed above us. A boisterous clap of thunder, accompanied by streaks of lightning, filled the sky. And then, lights out ... until the hotel generator came to life. Power was out for nearly an hour, meaning no elevator service. It’s okay, though. We sipped Champagne and chatted with friends, old and new.

The conference provided opportunities to network with colleagues and listen to speakers who shared information about column writing, podcasting, economic development, social media, customer relations and other communications’ issues.

We drove the back roads of South Dakota to get home, stopping at several lakes, wishing we had fishing poles after spying several fishermen’s walleye catches.

And, as we crossed into Nebraska, a sense of “we’re home” was welcomed. Back to Clearwater, back in time to listen to a bit of Mitchell Tenpenny and Full Choke and back to fall asleep in our own bed.

Whew!

To all of you who sent congratulatory wishes, thank you. To those who wrote recommendations for the award narrative, thank you. We’re almost ready to start our fourth year and I am more determined than ever to make the Advocate-Messenger the best it can be. Read local, share often.