Not-Glacier Day 2, Medora, ND to Shelby, MT

Wed. July 1, 2020

Steve and I backtracked to Painted Canyon while Mom ate breakfast and got ready. There is a rest stop there that was closed last time we were through due to a road problem, but there is a beautiful overlook.

However, the trail goes steeply down, which would mean a steep climb back up, and the “painted” part looked to be at the far end. Steve had wanted to return to Wind Canyon. There is a stone bench with a perfect view of the curve of the river. 

The birds were singing and the sun was shining and the blue sky was reflected in the water. 

I began, “I wish we’d brought…”

“Our breakfast,” Steve finished.

I had told myself I had taken plenty of picture before, but Steve reminded me that that was March with a dusting of snow. So this was completely different. (It was his own fault! He could have let me go on thinking I had plenty of pictures.)

We went back and got Mom who was up and dressed and drove the loop to the point where it is closed for a washout, turned around and drove back. We stopped at the visitor center for bathrooms (PortaPotties for the sake of distancing) and then headed for Shelby, MT.

Have I mentioned that Montana is a big state? You drive and drive and drive, through huge rolling fields. We had decided they must be commercial farms, but Steve asked at the hotel and found they are mostly religious communities like Mennonite, who farm cooperatively. WE had noticed one big house where we thought they must have a lot of kids, but evidently it was multiple families.

When we discovered it was going to be farther to Shelby than we had anticipated, we grabbed Subway to eat in the car instead of picnicking on the tuna ring salad I had brought, so that became supper in the empty breakfast room of the hotel.

Lots more driving across country between fields that remind you why Montana is called "Big Sky Country." Finished another hat.

This deer is a bit clunkier. I'm trying to learn how to do patterns that involve "stranding." Needs more practice.

Day 2: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ledgestone Hotel
Billings, MT

We discovered Theodore Roosevelt National Park on our way to Alaska a few years ago. It is the North Dakota version of the Badlands of South Dakota--grotesquely eroded revealing fabulous stratigraphy.



On that trip, we explored the southern part of the park. I-94 goes right through it. If Steve hadn't been able to see fabulous landscapes from the highway, I doubt I would have been able to convince him to leave the main road. But I did, he enjoyed it, and it was his idea to go back. This time we drove an hour north to enter the northern part of the park. (There is no way to go north/south inside the park except on hiking trails.) The main park road makes our National Geographic Scenic Highways and Byways book which motivated us to go the extra mile(s).

It was worth it. I told myself that I took so many pictures before that I didn't need any today unless it was something totally unique. So I only took 50+.

Mom used her walker and joined us on the Little Mo Nature Trail for maybe half a mile.



She and Steve graciously let me walk on ahead and go further out into this awe-inspiring wilderness.



It's erosion that sculpted it with a little nudge from our Creator God. Still at work with the latest rains.



When we were here before, it was spring and the bison were shedding. They all looked as mangey as stray dogs. So of course, I needed more bison pictures today.



Right by the road. Here Mom watches one of the babies.

Then it was back in the car to drive five more hours past wide-open prairie with endless blue skies all the way to Billings. It was 83 degrees! (49 at home according to Steve's weather ap.) We passed field after field of white and oragne pumpkins ripe for pies and jack-o-lanterns. Then field after field of sunflowers with bowed black heads. When we changed states and the speed limit went from 75 to 80, Steve stuck with 75. 

When Mom stopped at Wallmart for more hearing-aid batteries, I picked up a couple short sleeved T-shirts. (I was expecting more fall weather. Not 83!) I know which shirt Bella would have chosen for me. I know which shirt Alex would have chosen for me. But I chose the other one.

    

Tomorrow? Yellowstone, part 1!

Thank you, Lord...

for a chance to stretch my legs in the midst of your incredible world.

that Mom could enjoy a short walk too.

for yellow juniper trees in the valley of the Little Missouri.

for the awesome formations of stone and gravel.

for the colorful stratigraphy of the rocks.

for those endless blue skies.

for Walmart prices.

for KFC extra crispy even though it isn't healthy.

Day 2: St. Paul, MN to Glendive,MT

691 miles

Thank you, Lord, list:
Unexpected beauty in North Dakota
Extra time to enjoy it.

I-94 all day long. And we thought North Dakota was going to be boring, but we found that the rolling grasslands reminded us of Mpumulunga, South Africa.

And then we came to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Fortunately, because of starting in St. Paul instead of our home in Wisconsin, we had a little extra time--enough for the 35 mile scenic loop through the Badlands of North Dakota. North Dakota? You thought the Badlands were in South Dakota? So did we. These were greener after spring rains and more intimate--right up close and personal with a very scenic loop road through the incredible formations. 

"Extra time" did not include time to hike. I'm not sure how I would have felt about hiking with these critters anyway.

Sometimes they were right on the road.

And there is a whole other section of the park to explore next time.