A year-round paradise
Where do we begin to cover the vast options of outdoor activity available here year round? Well, perhaps the best way to break it down is by season. Here in North Dakota, we're blessed with all four seasons, each spectacular in its own way.
Spring usually arrives in full force sometime in April. The scent of lilacs fills the air and everything begins to turn green. The air smells clean and fresh and everyone walks with a little skip in their step. Spring ushers in high school and Legion baseball, Babe Ruth baseball, various softball leagues, tee-ball for the youngsters, high school track and the first golfers of the season hit the local links. (On our brand-new grass greens golf course!) Gardening and lawn care moves into full swing as the city prepares to look its best.
The summer months bring our glorious city park into full use as folks picnic and enjoy tennis and horseshoes. This is not your typical converted corner lot: the Velva City Park is accessible by crossing a bridge over the Souris River and stretches for 23 acres. Sheltered by a canopy of trees, it features a myraid of playground equipment, tennis court, modern bathrooms, canopied picnic areas, grilling pits, RV hookups with water and electricity, fresh running spring water, a kitchen available for rent, and a walking bridge connecting the park with the public swimming pool, softball fields, another tennis court, RV camping and the rodeo grounds. During the winter months, there is an ice skating area in the park as well. This is also the site of our high school sports complex, consisting of the baseball, track and football fields. And if you're a golfer, you'll want to hit the links at the Star City Golf Course, a 9-hole grass greens course just north of the city, complete with a brand new clubhouse, club and cart rentals, and more.
Of course, summer also means boating, skiing, swimming, jetskiing, fishing and camping, and you don't have to travel far to partake. Some of the world's finest fresh water fishing is just down the road at Lake Sakakwea where you can snag everything from mouth-watering walleye to huge prehistoric paddlefish. Rustic and modern camping facilities are available, as well as rentals and guide services. Recreation abounds on the big lake, as well as on closer avenues, such as Strawberry and Crooked Lakes. And Lake Metigoshe is north of Velva, offering Camp Metigoshe for youngsters and bevy of recreational opportunities.
We're all so busy enjoying ourselves during the summer, autumn sometimes sneaks up on us. But when it comes, it's a wondrous display as the trees seem to catch fire in hues of red, gold, amber and orange. The air turns crisp and the City Park echoes with the sound of football pads and cleats. Families prepare for the back-to-school season and the farmers are in the throes of harvest.
The area is prime territory for area hunters looking to bag trophies. Small and big game abound in the area, and hunting parties are a common sight. Local farmers and ranchers are quite cooperative about allowing hunting, as long as the parties seek permission first.
Deer hunting season is usually accompanied by the first snows of winter, although snow can come in late October! But instead of dreading winter, we hearty North Dakotans see the snow as just another opportunity to have fun: snowmobiles are tuned up, skis are waxed and ice augers greased as we prepare to enjoy yet another winter wonderland. The hills and valleys surrounding Velva provide wonderful snowmobiling and cross country skiiing terrain, while nearby lakes are dotted with fishing houses as ice anglers go out in search of "the big one." And yes, we do get the occasional nasty blizzard, which gives everyone a day off work and school to spend some quality time together!
Of course, if you're not big on "the great outdoors," you can always check out the local indoor scene...
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