If you need some solitude, it's hard to beat the big bridge over Lake Ashtabula near Luverne, North Dakota. After leaving I-94 at Valley City, you travel north for over 30 miles, the last 10 or so on gravel roads, the last couple of those on a minimum maintenance road that ends at a little-used lake access point just north of the bridge on the west side of the lake. Following a path that's little more than two ruts along the lake brings you to this spot on the south side of the bridge, a nice open area alongside the North Country Scenic Trail that's just large enough to park a vehicle, set up a tent, build a fire, and kick back to enjoy a few beverages and laughs as you wait for the next train to roar over your head. Built over 100 years ago by the Great Northern, the impressive structure still sees use by dozens of BNSF trains each day.
