Today was active and exciting. The day started as overcast, but cleared to a sunny, hot day. It reached 95 degrees in the late afternoon. Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were issued in the evening.
The 156 mile drive to Little Missouri State Park provided the first half of our touring. It consisted mostly of National Geographic’s Sakakawea Trail. We then parked the trailer and went to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park for more sightseeing.
Little Missouri State Park
This rustic campground is next to a riding stable and a deep canyon. We're camped about 20 yards from the canyon wall.
Sakakawea Trail
The trail follows ND route 200 from Washburn to Killdeer. Scenery and lifestyle changed significantly as we drove northwest from Bismarck. The landscape changed from prairies to low rolling hills to badlands. Windmills stretched along a low ridge for miles (but, not nearly as many as we saw in Texas). There were numerous lignight coal mines and there seemed to be oil wells all over the place.
This rustic campground is next to a riding stable and a deep canyon. We're camped about 20 yards from the canyon wall.
Sakakawea Trail
The trail follows ND route 200 from Washburn to Killdeer. Scenery and lifestyle changed significantly as we drove northwest from Bismarck. The landscape changed from prairies to low rolling hills to badlands. Windmills stretched along a low ridge for miles (but, not nearly as many as we saw in Texas). There were numerous lignight coal mines and there seemed to be oil wells all over the place.
Fort Clark Historic Site
Nothing remains of the fort on this deserted prairie. A fur-trading post operated on the site from 1831 to 1860. Passengers on one steamboat brought small pox and nearly wiped out the local Mandan Indians.
Nothing remains of the fort on this deserted prairie. A fur-trading post operated on the site from 1831 to 1860. Passengers on one steamboat brought small pox and nearly wiped out the local Mandan Indians.
Knife River Indian Villages
This free interpretive center presents the life of the Hidatsa and Mandan villagers from the early 16th century to the late 19th century. It's located at Sakakawea's home.
Carol acts as real estate agent for an earth lodge
Earth lodge interior
Earth lodges housed 10 to 30 people
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
We took the 14 mile drive to Oxbow Overlook in the Northern Unit. The park tour actually covered a lot of road. We drove 153 miles to get there, take the scenic drive and return to our campsite.
We took the 14 mile drive to Oxbow Overlook in the Northern Unit. The park tour actually covered a lot of road. We drove 153 miles to get there, take the scenic drive and return to our campsite.
These fellas are about to duke it out over a girl
This one lost and he's really mad about it
Little Missouri River flows through the park
We ended the park tour with a tense dinner at The Buckskin Bar & Grill in Killdeer. Weather announcements were forecasting severe thunderstorms in the area, we were 19 miles from the trailer and we had left windows open.
The evening ended well. There was no storm at the campground and we met some delightful folks from MA (Paul & Joyce Casavant).
Map Tracks (note: we’re adding this part to each day so our grandchildren can follow the trip)
Start: Killdeer, North Dakota
North on US- 83 to North Dakota 200
West on North Dakota 200 to North Dakota 22
North on North Dakota 22 to Little Missouri State Park
End: 19 miles north of Killdeer, North Dakota
It looks like you REALLY got close to these buffalo! Were you still in the car???
ReplyDeleteAlso, when did you get your real estate license, Carol???
ReplyDeleteRegarding the buffalo ... we were in the car and he did get close. Thankfully he was more interested in staring down a small Jeep that was coming the other way.
ReplyDelete