North Dakota

This is the border between North and South Dakota.  Right where the road changes color!

Harvest time

We left our bluffs and crossed over into North Dakota.  We traveled through farm country, much like South Dakota and did see a few oil wells and coal trains. Lots of corn, sunflowers, wheat and hay. The wheat harvesting that is currently happening looks so easy compared to the hilly Palouse!  We also began seeing lots and lots of fields of dry beans (pinto, navy etc.) We went to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and camped in the only campground in the southern section of the park. We took a walk to explore but didn't last long in the near 100 degree weather.  Much of the park is more bad lands.  Further north, on a gravel road and after fording some rivers you can get to the original ranch T. Roosevelt started.  The story goes that Mr. Roosevelt came to the area to hunt buffalo but was very dissappointed how few were left.  Instead he began ranching in this area and was inspired to continue his conservation efforts that led to many national parks.  Later in the evening I took another walk and discovered that the little Missouri River was near the campground and it was very nice and cool.  Bernie thought so too.

While driving to the park, I rolled down my window and stuck my camera out the window, only to have a bee hit my hand at sixty miles an hour and get mad.  She decided to sting me if it was the last thing she did.  And it was.  My hand started swelling.  By the next morning I couldn't bend my fingers or wrist.  I took some benedryl and slept most of the day while Mike drove.  He pulled into a campground in Hazen, North Dakota and told me that I was going to a doctor.  I complied, got some cortizone and sat around waiting for my hand to get better. 

 On Sunday, (8/22) the temperature hit 103 degrees.  We sought relief in Lake Sakakawea.  The lake is huge and was so refreshingly cool!  The lake is created by the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River.  It seems to be a popular place for boating and water sports.  While we were swimming and wading, a man with several beers under his belt gave me quite the lecture on epi pens.  

 We left Hazen on Monday and drove east.  On the map, there is a small indication of a North Dakota State Forest, Sheyenne Forest, in the Southeast corner of the state and we headed there.  It took a few loops through small, very straight roads, but we located the park and camped on a secluded small meadow.  We are now here for the third day, just enjoying the cooler sun and peaceful setting.  The woods are all oak, walnut and other deciduous trees.  It looks like an environment that I would expect in the east, and did not expect in North Dakota.  We have a small stream nearby, and lots and lots of frogs for neighbors.  We can't walk anywhere without seeing frogs jumping in every direction.  The park is only about one mile deep and 5 miles wide, and it does not seem to get much use.

Sheyenne River

Underbrush in the woods

This tree wasn't going to let a little wire stop it!

Ancient tree climbers.  (Ancient trees or people?)

Tomorrow we will head for Minnesota.  We will spend a few days in the Minneapolis area and then check out many of the numerous things to see in this large state.