Theodore Roosevelt National Park

After spending the night in Fargo, we drove a couple of hours to the park, one of the least visited in the system.

The campground had no electricity or water (there were spigots for filling our containers).  It was full but the sites were placed far enough apart so that we felt we had some privacy.  Some people insisted on running their generators, unpleasant.

There is a small town near the park, Medora, wholly owned by a non-profit.  The town closes up in a few weeks, apparently, there are no residents in the offseason. There is a gas station, a few restaurants and other things.

The park is in the Badlands and our visit was focused on the Loop, a 36 mile drive full of scenery and animals.  We saw all sorts of creatures, the key was getting up early before the rv's hit the road -- about 9:30.

Here are some images.

Typical scene

Standard Susan "looking out" image

"Cap Rocks" The Badlands were formed by erosion of soft rock

Prairie dogs everywhere

To me, the bison were the star of the show.

Wild horses too

We took a hike to a petrified forest, about three miles.  Susan made it down there and we were really amazed by the trees and formations.

Part of the hike was through the grassland

Find Susan hiking up the trail!

Petrified stump

Susan in the forest

The next day after doing the Loop again I took a hike that lead me through grasslands and into a valley where buffalo sign were everywhere.  It was still hot and the only one I saw was just sitting in some dust keeping cool.

Had to cross the river (Little Missouri) to start the hike

A buffalo recently layed here

We got up and drove about four hours to the town of Faith, SD, our base for going to the Powwow.  The harvest is coming in and there was work going on everywhere.

More on the Powwow later.....  Take care.

Long ride to North Dakota

This might the last of our internet for a bit so here is an update.

We spent one of our days at Lake Gobebic in the Porcupine Mountains, it was quite beautiful.  Here is a sample.

We drove from Lake Gobebic in Michigan to Fargo day before yesterday,  the best that can be said for it is that the camper did great.  It was about seven or eight hours.

We went to a laundromat and out to dinner and stayed at the Red Roof Inn.  As poetic justice, Susan said she slept better in the camper!

We are in the prairie now.

Went to the National Buffalo Museum.  Sort of dorky, here is the largest buffalo in the world?  And Susan with a not so real buffalo.  And a recreation of the Mandan fort where Lewis and Clark spent the winter.

We all have to be tourists sometime.

We spent the night at this nearly empty campsite called Cross Ranch State Park.  It is on one of the last natural parts of the Missouri River in ND and Lewis and Clark camped here, I did not see any of their debris, they left no traces, I guess.  We took a beautiful walk this am..... 45 degrees!

So this morning we are off to Theodore Roosevelt National Park where we will have no electric or water.  So, I will post again when I can.

Mackinac Island, Pictured Rocks and Autrain Campground

It has been a while between being away from the computer and without electricity.  Today and for two more nights, we remain on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, now near the Porcupine Mountains staying at Lake Gogebic, the largest lake in the Upper P, more than that later.

I had been to Mackinac more than forty years ago and wanted to return and for Susan to see the houses and Grand Hotel.

Many ferries taxi the day trippers to the island

and some cruise ships as well

Only horses and bikes for transportation, be careful, they are crashing everywhere!

Great houses and gardens

We stayed here, it was really nice

Made use of the front porch, cool with a gorgeous breeze -- NO HUMIDITY

I am sucker for butterfly gardens and they had one and I took some pictures

Other scenes from the island including the Grand Hotel, most famous for 400.00/night stays and being the scene for a Christopher Reeves movie,  "Somewhere in Time"

Further proof I am on this trip

The Grand Hotel

I really like this picture, might have to enlarge it

We got up early and took the ferry back to the mainland head to Autrain Federal Campground.  We got there sort of early and I tried to fish but I seriously do not understand these shallow, weedy lakes, seems like people were out in the middle and I could not muster even a bit.

The next day, we drove to Pictured Rocks National Seashore.  The rain threatened most of the day and we ended up on a cruise with mist and rain, still a great trip and absolutely gorgeous.

Lots of waterfalls

Saw this, but not the owner

Beach but no salt water

I made Susan sit in the rain to get a good view

Many kayakers, they haul them out there and let them paddle around

It turned out to be a very rainy night and we quickly packed up the next morning and headed about four hours west to where we are now.

While at Mackinac, some people suggested that we come over here instead of where we had originally planned and it is really pretty.  Heading out with the kayak now up a small river, fishing is supposed to be bad here now due to the summer heat   (?)  but I will give it a try.

More later.