so Bismarck, North Dakota is probably not among the first ... Bismarck's public beach at this 271-acre park that also has hiking trails, picnic tables, and a playground. We had a blast renting ...

North Dakota may not be the first state that comes to mind when planning a family vacation, but this underrated destinat ...

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Davrick Hayes, a 31-year-old quality assurance analyst and entrepreneur based in Bismarck, North Dakota. It's been edited for length and clarity.

Emilie Hessinger had hoped to attend a waterfowl brigade camp in North Dakota. That camp got canceled, but what happened next ...