In the late 1860's, The Decorah (IA) Posten reported on the flat fertile prairie along the Red River in northwestern Minnesota. Although the topography and climate of Houston County reminded the immigrant Telers of the Norway they had left behind, there was great interest in creating a Norwegian settlement to the North. Geline's brother Andreas, Aanund Kragnes, and Tarje Grover saw opportunity in the reports about the valley.  From an account from the Clay County Historical Society:

"A. Kragnes, Andreas Kassenborg and his brother-in-law Targie Grover, and a Mr. Homme went to Clay County in 1869.  They went to Alexandria by train and hired a livery for the rest of the trip. The first night out near Rothsay, they turned the horses loose to graze.  The horses disappeared during the night and the men started walking.  Grover and Homme played out and Kragnes and Kassenborg kept going until they found water.  They returned to the others and all started again.  They walked until they reached the Red River Valley fur cart trail and were rescued by them."  

The story among the families is that Mr. Homme was a surveyor, and he and Aanund continued their journey while Andreas and Tarje returned to Houston County. Homme and Kragnes spoke with Probstfield, who ran the Hudson Bay Trading Post, was the first settler in Clay County, and already had 10 years of experience in the flood-prone valley. Aanund returned excited about the richness of the soil and the possibilities that awaited them  in this "New Land."