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A Cheap Western Getaway

For many families, Labor Day is the last chance to spend a warm weekend outdoors. But there are a few more travel options beyond the holiday weekend.

"I helped take out the T-Rex bone on my 17th wedding anniversary," said Alice League with the Dakota Dinosaur Museum.

You never know what you`ll find in western North Dakota.

"It was quite a trek to get this 120 lb. bone back to the vehicle."

If you`re looking for a quick geology lesson that won`t cost you an arm or a leg, the Dickinson Dinosaur museum is as good a place as any.

"We have rocks, we have minerals, we have fossils, we have dinosaurs. People come in, they`re surprised with the flourescent minerals that glow in the dark. Everybody likes that, no matter what the age," said curator Larry League.

The Leagues opened the dinosaur museum 19 years ago. Although they`ll soon lock up for the season, many places around the state are extending their late season travel window.

"Everybody`s trying to squeeze out everything they can from the beautiful weather this summer," said Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation Marketing Director Suzanne Wentz.

From a scenic landscape fit for a panoramic lens to a place to hang your hat for a few nights, the Badlands attract visitors from both North and West.

"I wouldn`t count Medora out, just because it was Labor Day. There`s still a lot going on here in town. And the golf course is going to be playing even better as the fall comes on," said Bully Pulpit Golf Course general manager Dave Solga.

Just in case you needed another reason to bring your clubs to Medora, besides on your birthday, on which you can play at a lower rate, Bully Pulpit is also offering a number of late season specials.

"Our twilight kicks in at one o`clock. It`s going to be $39. Then we offer a replay that same day or next day for just $27," Solga said.

The Medora Foundation offers several packages combining lodging and entertainment for those traveling on a budget.

"There`s very, very nice and reasonable $200 or less many times that you can do for your family," Wentz said.

"I think that`s something a lot of people don`t realize that you can come out and enjoy our national park year round," Odermann said.

While out west, you can take in state landmarks and the state fossil, and you can go home with a keepsake or two, while leaving a little change in your pocket.

The Medora Musical will wrap up on September 8. On Sunday, Medora is also hosting the Wade Westin Music Fest. Westin was a former Burning Hills singer and former KFYR-TV employee who passed away three and a half years ago.