Dan Will Travel

As some of you know, a “sub plot” to this trip was my venturing into deep red America and seeing if I could have conversations with these other Americans.  Being shy, it has not been easy, but I thought I had my golden opportunity at the Pitchfork fondue steak dinner before the Medora Musical that I attended.  Waited in line and had dinner with two nice women from very rural far NE North Dakota.   (Look up Langdon, pop. 2101.)  High school teachers in schools that graduate 35 for one and 2 for the other. I soon moved the conversation  to politics and they talked about the very old, tired legislators that pass a law every session trying to require the 2 state universities to play each other in football.  Like there was nothing more important to do?  Seizing my opportunity, I warily commented that at least they were not legislating stuff about women ‘s bodies. (Which is probably not true, but…..)  Well, that opened the conversation further. Turns out they read the NY Times, and listen to their podcasts and love the fact that they have French exchange students and what they learn from them. So, my search for red America continues, but I left that evening feeling better about things.

Many National Parks have these gateway towns like Medora here.  This one seems to be quite different.   Not only is in clean and thematically valid, it is sort of run as a fully connected community.  None of the business have their own web sites, all are instead part of  Medora.com. There you can book everything from lodging to tours, to dining and of course the Medora Musical.

The Medora Musical is famous around here and for good reason.  Fabulous setting carved into a hillside, nice stage and first class facilities.  It is uplifting, corny, funny, and well done.  Look at the last shot I got of the finale.  The audience is pumped up, happy and then, out of nowhere, the view of the white cowboy on the white horse.  I mean, totally over the top, but fun.

And, growing up in Indiana, we took pride in how friendly we were.  I have to say ND people might be even friendlier!

My view from the dining area at the Pitchfork Steak Fondue.

The 2017 Burning Hills singers.

The Finale.  Yes, that is a real person on a  real white horse.

The goal of my trip east was to see this park, and it has been really worth it. Beautiful badlands appeal, still quite lush and green this early in the season. And without it’s main season of tourists which will come later.

It starts right in the town of Medora, and extends well north with much of it being true wilderness. Besides the colorful badlands aspects, what you get to see is much wildlife. I think this has to be one of very few places remaining with wild bison herds, as well as wild horses, elk, sheep, deer and the lovable prairie dogs and their prairie dog towns.

My first day, I set out mid afternoon, temps in the 90’s and storms looming. Soon there was thunder and lightning all around in the distance making for some great shots of the rains off in the distance. And a bit scary, for sure. (I did skip any hiking due to this.)  Then it passed and the temps dropped 20 degrees and the bison were abundant. They probably liked the rain shower bath, but I think they really liked the lower temps. I must say, like elk, bison always look like they are in a bad mood. Majestic for sure, but you sure do want to keep your distance!

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Typical scene

Erosion continues.  Forever and ever.

Getting pretty ominous and close. I felt like a tornado chaser.

Some of the many wild horses in the park

Two lovable prairie dogs. Two of thousands it seemed. All chirping, running , literally leaping straight up to get a better view. crazy, fun scenes to watch.  This seems to be  mom and kid.

Spring is such a great time to watch animals

Loved this shot.  Bison adults and children being watched by those ever present prairie dogs.

1,300 miles (1,250 on 2 lane roads), 5 nights and I finally crossed into ND. Wow, Montana is a big state! I travelled US 2, which goes for 660 miles in MT alone. I have overnighted in Ritzville, WA (Not much there, trust me), Bonners Ferry ID (decent casino and lodge), someplace along Glacier National Park, Havre, MT, and Culbertson, MT.

CASINOS IN MONTANA

When you enter Montana you pretty immediately notice (besides all of the little crosses along the road) that they approached the casino gambling thing in a very different way, with essentially every bar, restaurant, and gas station having a “casino.” These seem to be generally about 10-20 low-stakes slot machines, and a bar for drinks. What I did not like is that it seems to take away a revenue stream for the tribes, since there are these “casinos” everywhere, the tribes cannot really do their more full approach to the gambling/entertainment aspect. But, if you are sitting on a Saturday night in your motel in Culbertson that shares the lot with an auto parts store and a junk yard, that tiny casino across the road looks pretty good.

SHOPPING IN MONTANA

The shopping highlight so far was in East Glacier, MT. Sorry, I did not take a photo, but the sign was as follows: “THE LARGEST WOODEN SPOON SHOP IN THE WORLD” the smaller type below: “well, perhaps…..”

Anyway, an old couple carves wooden spoons all winter and sells them all summer. He explained how tough it is to make spoons out of hickory wood, so of course, I bought the hickory ones. Just trying to keep him busy next winter……

The last shot below proves my arrival into North Dakota. State number 48 is now official.

I guess if you sit out in the wind all of the time, these things can happen?  This is near Ritzville, WA.

My cute little cabin outside of Glacier Park. First night they were open for the season. So, out here in the middle of nowhere, 10-15 miles from the next facility of any kind, I asked the owners where they went in the winter.  Costa Rica.  Oh, of course. So obvious.  They also own a bar in Shelby, MT with 36 beers on tap (that is rare for a little town.) and they play in a rock band. Busy guys.

Looking into Glacier from Marias Pass just south of the park.

The last view of the Rockies as I head out into the prairies for the next few days.

Espresso in a teepee. Seems appropriate out here.

The hotel in Savo, MT. I do not think it is accepting guests at this time. Maybe next year?

Abandoned building on the endless prairie.

I made it!  I have no idea what is so legendary about ND, but they surely think it is. It is beautiful in this western part for sure.