Other than the usual traffic slow down around Chicago, we have moved smoothly through NY, PA, OH, IN, IL, WI, MN, ND and now reside in our first campground, a KOA in Billings, MT. The United States is indeed a large and varied country! The "heartland" of America never ceases to impress with the beautiful white farm houses and red barns of Ohio to the huge cultivated farm fields of Minnesota and North Dakota. I find it easy to envision the past when the buffalo and native people roamed here. We stopped at a rest area in North Dakota where Bucky learned that years ago, farmers were paid to plant trees for harvesting. Some of these planted trees existed today and created a shady grove surrounding the rest area facilities. Fisher and I enjoyed a long walk here accompanied by a chorus of song birds. Bucky wanted so badly to get a picture of a yellow headed blackbird, but moving along like we do just doesn't allow for that. We really need to slow down and " photograph the black birds". But, we do have miles to go. Driving through Minnesota, refreshed my memory of the Midwest being a flyway for migratory waterfowl as well as a state of, what do they say, 100,000 lakes? Every pot hole of water and small pond along the highway was filled with ducks, geese and white pelicans.
Now the grasslands and unusual land forms of Montana have me with my camera on my lap. Unfortunately, shooting through the window and competing with the side mirror and antenna doesn't make for high quality shots. Despite having driven I 90 and I 94 numerous times in the past, there always seem to be new sights. We were surprised to see no wildlife, but perhaps the warm weather was keeping the animals lying low. The Red River in MN and the Missouri River were running full as was the Yellowstone in Montana. The grapes in NY and PA were flourishing. In North Dakota the corn was knee high and extended as far as the eye could see. Quite a difference between the dairy farms of VT and the crop farmers of the Midwest. It was delightful to see the beef cows with their young calves enjoying themselves while grazing in knee deep grass.
I enjoy seeing the old homesteads, some in poor shape, but still operational. Life must be a struggle for these farmers. Other homesteads, surrounded by mature trees and well manicured lawns seem to have found a way to succeed. What must it be like to own the huge acreages that they plant each year.
I liked the way the pavement followed the dirt road
Western dust
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
We spent a few minutes at the visitors center of Theodore Roosevelt National Park located in North Dakota near the Montana border. Here we were once again reminded of Roosevelt's foresight in preserving American land for the future. He spent time here as a teenager and was already concerned with conserving unique land such as the painted canyon seen below.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a destination that requires more of our attention in the future. Within he town of Medano, ND is the house once owned by Roosevelt. There is a driving loop but also hiking trails within the park. We were surprised to see signs warning of Bison.
Blooming cactus looking over the Yellowstone River
The plants are green and the small streams hold water, perhaps it has been a wet Spring in the West. |
| 90 degree heat leaves Fisher panting |
A steady breeze, at times was strong enough to send us running for articles not weighted down, has kept us comfortable despite the temperature. It's predicted to cool down tomorrow, but traveling with air on, we hardly noticed the heat until we set up camp tonight in Billings. Warnings are now on TV for flash flooding and violent thunderstorms. I think we'll sleep well with the breeze blowing in the bedroom window and perhaps the sound of rain on the Greyhawk roof. Tomorrow we'll head for Canada and since the hotspot is too expensive to use, it might be awhile before I post again.
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