Nothing went as planned today------

Today we did nothing but drive though that was not our original intention.  The plan was to visit and possibly camp in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (we decided against the camping because there are no shower facilities there--something that is a must for me but still planned to visit).  Instead, we were going to camp in Lewis & Clark State Park; but that didn't happen either as we never found the Park!!  Here's why----------

From Belfield, ND north on US 85 we encountered an unusual amount of truck traffic; from Watford City to Williston (near where L&C State Park is supposed to be) the traffic got progressively worse: oil drilling-associated things were being trucked in every direction as well as construction materials. I was driving and found it very nerve racking. Trailer cities are popping up everywhere - construction worker housing, we surmised, as there isn't enough of it as evidenced by the full motels almost everywhere.  The number of workers needed means more individual's vehicles on the road (mostly pick-ups) as well.  After driving in the wide open spaces the past week, we were not ready for all the congestion.  Neither of us had heard about an oil boom in ND but it sure seems to be happening there.  Why haven't we heard about an oil strike in ND back East?  If we had known what we were going to encounter, we would never have gone near the area!!

We got out of ND just as fast as we could and that is why I am writing this from Montana tonight.

We did stop at a scenic overlook to see some of the North Dakota badlands which I never knew existed until a few days ago.  To me, they are more impressive than the Badlands of South Dakota.

Badlands of North Dakota

Badlands of North Dakota

Tomorrow we plan to visit Fort Peck Dam and Recreation Area.  We hope to be able to camp there for a couple of days to do a little hiking and some relaxing.  If you find no new entries for the next couple of days, you'll know our plan was realized this time.

July 15, 2012

When we left Rugby this morning, it was cloudy, humid and cool.   As we traveled south toward Bismarck, it became much warmer and more muggy.  Jack & I decided we had made a good decision (to not camp tonight) when the temp reached 97 degrees!  If this morning's weather report was correct, we will be camping  tomorrow night in Teddy Roosevelt National Park.

Around noon, we arrived in Minot, ND where we visited the Scandinavian Heritage Park.  This Park gives recognition to the five Scandinavian countries:  Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland.   Representative of Denmark is the windmill and a statue of Hans Christian Anderson; Finland: an authentic Finnish Sauna; Sweden: the Dala (pronounced dawla) horse; Norway: a stabbur (storehouse) used in Norway to provide dry, safe storage  for food and other commodities; a full size replica of the Gol Stave Church which was moved from Gol, Hallingdal to Oslo, Norway about 100 years ago;  a  statue of Sondre Norheim, "the Father of Modern Skiing"; and Sigdal House, a 230 year old house from the Vatnas area of Sigdal, Norway which is representative of a typical house from old-time Norway.  We had our lunch in the Nordic Pavilion for the Arts & Picnic Shelter before heading south toward Bismarck and our next stop: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.

Hans Christian Anderson w/windmill in background

Windmill with nations' flags (it was windy that day)

Genuine Swedish sauna

Dala horse

Gol Stave Church

Stabbur (storage house)

Sigdal House

Fort Abraham Lincoln is a "reconstructed" fort that includes the (George A.) Custer Mansion, troop barracks, ( Jack said the barracks' beds were better than anything he slept in during his time in the service), a commissary and On-A-Slant Indian Village (of earth lodges) which is a sacred place to the Mandan Tribe.   

Custer Mansion

Troop barracks

Earth Lodge

The names of the men who served in Custer's regiment (most of whom died in the Battle of Little Big Horn) were listed as a kind of memorial and there was information about the Indian scouts who served as well--a nice tribute.