"Don't think for a minute that southern Minnesota and North/South Dakota are more scenic than Saskatchewan or Manitoba. Both are going to be a stretch for you." From - Jim in Memphis.
If you've got the time and patience, going the Northern route is something I think you have to do once. You will either like it or never do it again. LOL
It's not the skeeters you have to worry about, it's the spring Blackflies or summer Deerflies.