Getting lost in the 701

Seth Varner embarks on journey to visit all of North Dakota's 355 incorporated towns. 

There’s something special about a crisp Rand McNally map.

Surely modern-day technology provides more efficient routes and fewer wrong turns, yet lacks something that transcends time.

Nostalgia. The curiosity of what lies within and between the dots, no matter how big or small. The adrenaline rush of exploration and “getting lost” to discover more within.

For 24-year-old Wahoo, Nebraska, native Seth Varner, that zest for adventure has taken him to over 2,500 communities in five states across the Midwest, showcasing each community through Wandermore Publishing.

Best known to North Dakotans as Wandermore in North Dakota on Facebook, Varner began his quest of visiting and documenting each of the state’s 355 incorporated towns and communities in April and plans to cross the finish line later this summer. He’ll then publish a comprehensive history and travel guide of the Peace Garden State that will hit the shelves around Thanksgiving.

North Dakota isn’t Varner’s first rodeo. He’s completed similar endeavors in South Dakota, Kansas, and his home state of Nebraska. Yet from Abercrombie to Zeeland and the buttes of the Missouri Plateau to the plains of the Red River Valley, Varner has found beauty in the people and places of North Dakota.

“I was telling friends and family, ‘This is the most fun I’ve had of my five Wandermore trips.’” he said. “Something about North Dakota has just struck a chord.”

History and planning
What started as an idea with a friend after being sent home from college during the COVID-19 pandemic has turned into a project that has captivated thousands over the past five years.

“Before I had even visited my first location (in North Dakota), there were already 5,500 people following the page, and I had only shared a few things,” Varner said. “It’s been so cool to see communities rally around the project.”

North Dakota Nice has found its way into Varner’s life. He plans to complete the tour in three legs and has already received a wealth of hospitality.

“The Midwest Nice mentality is such a thing; we’re all willing to help each other out,” he said. “I’ve had hundreds of people reach out to offer lodging, meals, tours of local history, and so much more. Anything you can think of, people in this state have been willing to help.” 

Each trip for Varner is planned to the T, blending a combination of local input, diligent research, and his trusty Rand McNally map. 

“I’ll pick a section of the state (on my map) and say, ‘OK I have 8 or 9 days to a few weeks to explore - what can I visit?’” Varner said. “Then I’ll put up a post for that section asking for recommendations. Crowdsourcing from locals is so valuable because no one knows a town better than those who have lived there for decades.” 

Varner also relies on trusted resources such as the Roadside America travel app and chamber of commerce websites to identify notable destinations and worthwhile stops. An avid historian, he does his homework on each community’s history before visiting. 

“I have access to my alma mater’s digital library, which has millions of books and articles on the history of many of these communities,” Varner said. “Digital Horizons (a database documenting history on the northern plains), North Dakota centennial books, and old railroad books have been critical. I use between 10-20 sources for each community that I visit.” 

Once he hits the road, Varner does his best to stick to the schedule, often knocking out 2-3 communities per day. Museums, landmarks, local staples, and nature often make the cut for each community that he visits. In between, he does his best to give back to local businesses and restaurants. 

“It helps me further promote the state when I try out local restaurants and businesses,” Varner said.

His favorite foods thus far? Wishek Sausage from Stan’s Supermarket in Wishek and Grandma’s Kuchen out of Ashley.

“I brought rhubarb and apple kuchen home after the first leg of my trip, and everyone loved it,” Varner said. “I’ve already had order requests for when I return.”

At times, the constant travel, learning, and interactions can feel like a blur. Amidst the flurry, Varner makes sure to allocate time to reflect and take it all in.

“(A few weeks ago) I was in Fort Ransom and ended up spending time at the state’s only waterfall. I sat there for two hours and just watched it trickle,” Varner says. “I always make sure to stop and cherish things. Even if I can’t fully enjoy it now, I can always come back. There’s no excuse not to come back.”

Wandermore in CCEC Country
Varner's ventures have dived deep into Cass County Electric Cooperative’s (CCEC) service territory on the first two legs of the trip and has proven insightful. Some of that insight has included learning that Litchville was once the largest shipping point on the Northern Pacific Railroad branch, that the Lisbon Opera House sits in the oldest running movie theatre in the United States, and that noted author and Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck documented time in Alice (pop. 41) in his 1962 travelogue.

History and landmarks run deep, yet as Varner reflects, the interactions with North Dakota residents are what will stick for a lifetime.

“The number of mayors, business leaders, and community members who have reached out to make this a special experience is unbelievable,” Varner said. “To just take time out of your day to interact with this random person from Nebraska shows how much pride people have in their communities, but more importantly, the type of people that call this state home.”