Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Dakota

What a surprise this park is! After many miles driving through the rolling plains we crest a hill and suddenly are in an eroded valley reminiscent of the desert southwest.


Theodore Roosevelt Park is a hidden gem that is evidently avoided due to its out of the way location. Unlike Glacier National Park, we nearly had the place to ourselves. We were even able to camp right in the park and had a great spot.



The signs told us to be cautious of the wild buffalo. We saw evidence of their presence, but never did get an up close encounter. Trees rubbed smooth and footprints:





Still plenty of flowers for Karen to photograph.







There is plenty of unique geology to be seen here.







Took a hike to a prairie dog town. Had the trail and the entire town to ourselves. The dogs ignored us for the most part and just let us hang out.



This little guy followed Bill quite a ways up the trail.



We had a lot of good bird sightings, but didn't get much cooperation for good pictures.



Red-Headed Woodpecker:


Finally some buffalo on our way out of the park:

Glasgow, MT Into the Dakotas

August 3, 2010 – Yesterday we made it as far as Glasgow, MT and had a pleasant stay in an RV park that was attached to a hotel. We were right next to train tracks, but were not affected since we’ve done it so many times before on this trip. Today, we continued on toward North Dakota with more treeless, rolling hills.





Using the road shoulders for hay like we saw in Alberta, Canada:


What the heck is that on the road up ahead?


It turns out to be a truck pulling a very large tank of some kind. They have to stop so a crew can raise power lines for clearance.



A momentary reminder of our Alaska adventure. Looks like someone gave up on the cold north and is moving south before the snow flies.


The Missouri River and a link to its famous travelers:



More flowers that caught Karen’s eye and amber waves of grain!






Into the eroded hills of western North Dakota. The day's destination was Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

East Across Montana

August 2nd, 2010 - Our original plan was to continue south to Yellowstone and the Tetons, but we've been overwhelmed by the crowds of people after being accustomed to the wide open spaces of the far north. The idea of wading through people at Yellowstone is just not enticing. We'll save it as an excuse to drag the trailer back west someday.

The new plan is to drive straight east to the Dakotas to see the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and anything else we stumble upon which looks interesting.

Leaving Glacier National Park behind us via US85:




The earth recovering from fire as far as the eye can see:


Browning, Montana is the capital of the Blackfeet Nation. Decorations on posts and dogs running free:












Traveling east across the northern part of Montana on US Route 2 from Browning.

Shelby, Montana stradles US2. It's an interesting looking old prairie town. The Roxy theater is on the left with three high rooves.


Grain dominates the land and the economy. The terrain is open and rolling. We see why they call this "big sky country":