The park we are camping in is the Lewis and Clark State Park in North Dakota. It is pretty strange to us that it is still daylight at 9pm and not really dark until about 11pm. We started our hike at 7pm from the end of our row and walked to the edge of the river/lake. In this area the Missouri river is dammed to make a huge lake. Lake Sakakawea is the 3rd largest man made lake in the country. It would have looked very differently for the Lewis and Clark expedition. The shore line had huge old logs of driftwood and lots and lots of rocks. Our biggest problem during our stay was that the sites on our row are VERY unlevel. Our friends Bill and Kelly had to use the picnic table as a step. Our jacks were nearly fully extended and we could almost walk under our front without ducking. I hope someone relevels these sites soon.
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We have stayed at several city or county RV parks. Most were really nice and many were free. The one we stayed at this night was called First Responders. All that was asked was for a donation. Normally, there would be full hookups but right now the water is not working so just power and sewer.
Across the street was a very nice park with a playground, picnic tables, and the Ragged Butte Spring. This is a mineral spring and is still very active with water bubbling out of the top.
First stop was an overlook right off the interstate. The land looks impossible to cross with a wagon and maybe by horse. It is understandable that this was described as bad lands.
Traveling with Bill and Kelly is great.
The history of the area and Roosevelt were linked in several ways.
Roosevelt loved the area and bought a large ranch. When his wife and mother died on the same day, he returned here to grieve and for solitude.
The visitor center shows a very nice movie on the park and they have a museum on the natural history and Roosevelt himself.
Behind the visitor center is a cabin used by President Roosevelt.
Time to drive through the park and see the wildlife. First, a small herd of Buffalo, okay, the correct word is Bison. "Buffalo live in Africa as in Water Buffalo," according to the rangers.
Prairie Dogs.
A wild horse. We did not see the rest of the herd. He was young but I bet he got just a bit too annoying the mares and was run off. He was beautiful.
Overlooks were spread throughout the park. We had some very impressive views. It would be very easy to get lost crossing the badlands. I can imagine a rider or wagon being brought to the edge of the park and say to themselves. "No way. Let's go a different way." The Sioux call this area "Mako Shika" or "No good land". Still very beautiful in its own way.
Soon after we started walking to overlooks, we discovered that no-see-ums were very bad here. Even with bug spray which we had with us and used, they were very annoying.
We also caught some pictures of flowers, moths, and butterflies. One moth took a break on my shoe.
Time to drive back to town for lunch, a bit of shopping, and some ice-cream.
For the first time in 10 years of traveling, we will be traveling with friends with our RV's. We will be together for more than a month. My parents did this for many years traveling with their RV club. Shawna's Great Aunt Daisy travel with groups in the 70's. Our first site was a buddy setup. This made for a very short walk to visit.
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