Theodore Roosevelt National Park
"What's more likely to happen in your lifetime, us being in North Dakota, or the Cavs winning the national championship?" That's the question I posed to Jamie as we stood in Ticket Junction discussing how we would spend the evening of June 19, 2016, Father's Day and game seven of the Cavs vs. Warriors series. I had already decided that Ethan and I would be taking in the Medora Musical and enjoying the Pitchfork Fondue or the Cowboy Cook-out-- my question was to help Jamie decide what he wanted to do. If Jamie wanted to sit in the hotel room or find a local watering hole in Medora, North Dakota to watch the final Cavs game, he was free to do that. But, Ethan and I wanted something to do since we don't watch sports.
In all fairness, Jamie really was torn. He did not want to watch the Cavs lose and waste an entire night of vacation, but he also did not want to miss an historic victory for our hometown team. As he struggled with his decision, I tried to entice him to join us by asking the clerks working behind the desk at Ticket Junction more about the Medora Musical and the various pre-show meal options. The nice ladies explained that the Medora Musical was a variety show with some gospel music, country music and little skits. Then there was the headliner which consisted of a comedian with a talking dog! Who would want to miss that?!
The meal was described to us as a fondue... the clerk asked "Have you heard of fondue?" I said, "Yes, I think so (with a little wink-wink to Jamie), little pots of broth or oil that we cook meat in, right?" She answered, "No, large pitchforks of steak dipped in kettles of oil."
"Oh, well, that is interesting," I said, looking over at Jamie. Jamie was now looking at me, pleading, he said, "But it's Father's Day, I should get to do what I want, right?" "Of course, you can, but Ethan and I will be at the Medora Musical, eating pitchforked steaks," I smiled.
"So tell me more about the food, what else is served with those steaks?" I asked in a very interested way. She answered, "Well, because it's a Sunday, you can also get the cowboy cookout which is pulled pork, bison roast or chicken breast on a buffet with vegetables, baked beans, cole slaw and dessert."
"Oh, what is the dessert?" I asked, knowing Jamie could hear the excitement in my voice. She looked at her co-worker who answered, "Typically a brownie, but sometimes there are sugared doughnuts, or both." Ethan exclaimed, "I love doughnuts, yeah, let's do that!"
"Okay, that does it," turning to Jamie, I asked, "am I buying two or three tickets for tomorrow night?" I already knew the answer.
