Here is my totally non scientific reply, I think the winters are so long and harsh you are forced to actually stay inside with your family and interact far more than elsewhere. Jodi and I actually discussed this topic one evening here awhile back. We were discussing the plus and minus of living up here on the frozen tundra and we both agreed our bond has become much stronger here and it was pretty darn strong when we got here. The interaction between family members is much more internal if you will, since you are physically deprived of external stimuli due to the weather. As a result you simply get to know them better and on a deeper emotional level. The by product of course is stronger bonding between family members. By same token I think ND leads the nation in alcohol consumption per capita as well? Coincidence? How’s that for some Freudian thoughts this morning.