August 2010 North Dakota

When you are in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota you have the North Woods all around you. On both sides of the Hwy and bordering campgrounds and yards and everywhere there are thick trees, bushes and ground covers. These are so thick you would have to have a hack saw to get through.
In August we headed into North Dakota. We have left the woods behind us and are surrounded by fields of wheat, soy and some corn and oil wells! It is lovely to see these fields and an oil well or two in the fields.
We spent 2 nights in Grand Forks ND. The road to the park was gravel and it was a very hot dusty day. Our car and RV was covered with dust. The park had lots of “NO” signs and a large fine if you rinsed your vehicles off. So we stayed with the dust. That night we had a storm with thunder and lightning and lots of rain. Next morning our vehicles were sparkling and clean!
We are traveling across Hwy 2 in ND. We came across the Devils Lake area. This is a huge lake and we saw a sign for Spirit Lake Casino, Resort and RV Park by the Lake. That sounded pretty good, so we drove several miles on a levy road to the Resort. We had not been out for a while so decided to go to out to dinner in the “View Room”. We met some RV neighbors and they said “not too good and very expensive.” Also it was an “Indian No Alcohol Zone.” So we had a 5 Star dinner at home with wine. After dinner we gussied up and went over to the Casino. I had a $20 bill which was burning a hole in my pocket! Well the casino was nice but 95% of the machines were that new kind with the funny pictures. Last year I had won a little on one but have no idea how it worked. Not going to do that again. A couple of tables and no one was at them. There were 4 poker machines all taken. We walked around for a while then went home.
We wanted to spend some time in Stanley ND. Fields of Sun Flowers are grown around Stanley. This is where Teri, our Daughter-in-Law’s family is from and we had heard about the wonderful Ice Cream at the Drug Store. It was bad timing. Stanley’s Main Street is a huge hole. They are replacing everything underground. This is an oil well area. Between the Oil workers, road construction crews, and major construction going on in town there was no place to park. We then went on to Williston. Well, same thing in Williston. We called every RV Park in area and they were all full. Checked our book and saw Lewis and Clark State Park. I called and they said, 1 opening for 1 night only. I said we will be there in 30 minutes. Please hold it for us. It was a really neat place. We talked to the Ranger there and she told us, where you are parked, it is reserved. If you want to stay, move to this next area. We had talked to some people who we know were leaving in the morning, so we parked behind them. Great place and we stayed 5 more days! It is on the Sakakawea River this is where you go when you have a camper and a fishing boat. A small marina and boat launch about ½ mile down the road. Large camp spots, so you can keep your boat next to your camper or tent. The week end was filled up, Sunday afternoon only a few of us left. We try to travel during the first part of the week so we are settled in on weekends.
We had started to listen to the radio and the farm news in the morning. North Dakota has big problems. Oil Wells gushing oil, so they need a large labor force. Road construction for the many trucks needed to transport the oil and large equipment needed. New road construction is necessary for the heavy traffic. The incoming work force needs housing. There is not enough housing. Maybe we could round up the empty houses in CA and ship them and the “out of work” people to ND? Just an idea.
We were headed to Killdeer ND and the Killdeer Mountains. The Killdeer Indians called it Tah-Kah-O-Kuty “The place where we kill deer.” This is where my Mother was born and raised. We had made trips here when I was a child, then in the early 60’s Bob & I took our family back. We stayed at the “Little Missouri St Park.” It’s a Campground with horse corrals. Public and private owned. It is located on a long grassy plateau overlooking the Badlands. At each end in a large circle were camp grounds large enough to hold RV’s and horse trailers. The camp had corrals set up at each end. We stayed in the center with just grass. Korkie really enjoyed the horses. He barked and thought he was their leader! The park had “Trail Rides” and the riders got to know Korkie and waved to us as they went by.
One day we headed into town to get gas in the car. Our campground was about 19 miles north of Killdeer. On the highway there was a sign telling about the Killdeer Battle Field located 6 miles from the highway. So off we headed to see the battle field. We then saw a sign to see the “Medicine Hole”. So we went to see that also, knowing we were only 6-7 miles off the highway. Well after seeing these History spots, headed back to the highway. Now if any of you have been off the highway in farm country you know that unless you know the area, it all looks the same. We came to a ‘Y” in the road and thinking we turned left toward Hwy 22, we got turned around and went right. We drove and looked over fields and thought the town of Killdeer was just over the next hill. We watched the gas gauge get lower and lower. We then spotted a sign saying we were in McKenzie County! We finally found a sign and saw that we were on Hwy 200 going the wrong way. Looking over the tourist map of the area (we had left the Garmin and Atlas at home) we realized what we had done. We turned around and started back and then the gas gauge made a Bong sound. It was empty. Fortunately the gas did hold out and we coasted into Killdeer’s gas station!
We had heard from other travelers be sure to see Medora ND. So off we went. What a neat place! This is where the Theodore Roosevelt National Park is. We went out one afternoon to see the Bison, but only saw a few from a distance. Back at our RV Park a neighbor (from Pleasanton CA) told us to go in the late afternoon. So we took his advice and headed out late. Well the groups of Bison were all over and standing in the road looking at the cars which could not move because of them! Pretty exciting.
When we went into our RV Park, they asked would we mind being parked across from the Office. Why no, I said. Well she then told me that there was live entertainment every night at the office. I asked what kind? Well it was a 79 year old man and his wife singing and playing guitars from 5:45 to 9:45PM.We truly enjoyed them. They had been coming to that park 27 years to entertain every night during the summer!
And of course we went to the Medora Musical. It is held in an outdoor Amphitheatre. Looking down on the western style stage you see the Badlands beyond. The show has dancing, singing and live horses on stage. The show is dedicated to the legacy of America’s 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, and the time he spent in ND Badlands. Each show pays tribute to American patriotism and the old-west way of life. It was a wonderful show! While waiting for the show to start, we began talking to the lady next to me from Bismarck ND. I mentioned my favorite Aunt was from Bismarck. Turned out she had known her and they belonged to same church! A small world.
So if you are ever in North Dakota, go to Medora. The town is fun and quite unique and lots of history. http://www.medora.com/ Check it out!

We are now on our way to Montana.