Submitted Photo This photo (circa 1987) shows Miranda Schuler, the child in the middle, at the state Capitol grounds on one of her family’s many trips.

Some of my most fond memories as a child growing up in North Dakota stem from day trips to Bismarck. You see, we were (and still are) regular visitors to museums across the state. However, very few are as exciting as the N.D. Heritage Center and State Museum, especially for a young person. I would dare say my own children would share the same fondness for the wonder this place offers its visitors.

Picture this: a Maroon 1980s Dodge Caravan complete with faux wood paneling, the quintessential family vehicle of the era, packed to the brim with excited youngsters — yours truly included — embarking on what felt like a cross-country journey to the state Capitol grounds.

It looks vastly different from those days as the building itself has undergone a substantial expansion project but still has that same nostalgic feel. Some of the older, iconic exhibits are still there to enjoy and be experienced by today’s visitors, to include the impressive dinosaurs and the infamous Bison poo smell exhibit! It was a rite of passage for every kid in North Dakota — a stinky yet strangely captivating experience that left us all in fits of giggles.

As the years passed, and I traded in my pigtails for a more sophisticated demeanor (or so I like to think), my appreciation for the museum only grew. Suddenly, the Birds of North Dakota exhibit wasn’t just the first exhibit as I wandered into the main hall — it was a gateway to a lifelong fascination with feathered friends. There I was, perched on the mezzanine level, eagerly pushing the button to hear the geese honk their hellos. Little did I know those honks would shape my future as an amateur birdwatcher.

And let’s not forget the traveling exhibits at the State Museum! Oh, the excitement of stumbling upon a new adventure. Timing being what it is, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention an exhibit that opens March 16. “Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross” looks to be a very interesting showcase of arguably one of the greatest artists in the field of comic books. This exhibition will be available to view until June 9, but, as a fan, I will be there this opening weekend to enjoy the museum and this exhibit.

So, dear reader, if you haven’t yet experienced the magic of the N.D. Heritage Center and State Museum, I implore you: hop in your trusty steed (be it a Dodge Caravan or otherwise) and hit the road down Highway 83. With memories waiting to be made around every corner, and admission being free to boot, it’s an adventure you won’t soon forget. See you there, fellow explorers!