The Fantabulous Chronicles

For those of you who’ve been keeping tabs on our escapades, you’re likely aware that we recently embarked on the ND Coffee Cruise, a delightful journey from Beach, ND to Mandan, ND. Instead of adhering to the typical “Rules of Engagement” for such sightseeing endeavors, we decided to add our own flavorful twist. Rather than the conventional approach of sipping a coffee or two while marveling at the sights along Old Highway 10, our mission was to explore as many coffee shops as humanly possible.

This escapade presented a unique opportunity for us to sample the offerings of nineteen distinct coffee establishments en route. We’re thrilled to share our insights and musings on this caffeinated undertaking.

Our rating system was centered around the overall flavor of the beverages, with fairness maintained by sticking to the traditional Caramel Macchiato. To streamline the process and ensure we could sample as many as possible, we opted for small sizes—thankfully. Admittedly, not every cuppa brought us unbridled joy, but in the spirit of adventure, we can truthfully say we reveled in the experience as we traversed this journey together as a family.

Our ambitious quest to “Try them All” lasted a whopping 12 hours, covering over 350 miles across western North Dakota. Along the way, we explored coffee shops of varying sizes and stature. The overall cost of this caffeinated odyssey tallied up to approximately $250, encompassing the expenses of coffee, fuel, and several meals for our family of five. Considering the grand scheme of fun days out and about, that’s roughly $21 per hour—a reasonable investment for the joyous memories we created.

Amidst the picturesque scenery of rural North Dakota, our journey was not only a visual feast but also a source of numerous laughs. We found ourselves navigating through a collection of coffees larger than we had ever amassed in a single day. The experience was not just a crazy caffeinated adventure but a bonding excursion filled with joy and shared moments. Check out this infographic for a summary of our journey!