Small, & Not So Small, Moments

We are on the move again. A few days ago I mentioned that we were facing a challenge to our trip route...several actually. You see, we had to leave Fort Stevenson State Park today because they are fully reserved for CANDISC which is a week long, 400 mile bicycle ride. We couldn't seem to get a place to park in western North Dakota due to the overcrowding from the Williston oil boom. We couldn't get a place to park in southwest South Dakota, which is where we were originally headed next, because of the annual Sturgis event. We did not want to go down to Nebraska...sorry, just didn't. Right now we are sitting at the Dickinson, ND WalMart. Rich is inside shopping while I guard our rig and the girls. There are homeless people sitting on curbs and lots of pickup trucks plus a few cars zipping around like flies on &^#@. The person I spoke with at this store a few days ago referred to "all the ISSUES we're dealing with" because of their proximity to Williston. If you thought the Dakotas were nothing but remote towns among fields and lakes and  wildlife, now you've learned a bit more about the area!

Today I want to share some of our small moments, like today's lunch. As is our habit, we pulled into a parking lot near the interstate we were transitioning onto and pulled out crackers, pepperoni, cheese, apples, and drinks. On the hill above us stood Salem Sue, the worlds largest Holstein cow! While we ate, a gentle rain accompanied the far off sounds of rolling thunder...another perfect lunch in our cozy RV, one of many reasons why we prefer a motorhome to other types of RVs.

Another special moment recently was our visit to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center which we also visited during that 1998 anniversary trip. It gave us another opportunity to reminisce about that crazy trip to North Dakota in January...we are somethin' else!

I love this statue of Meriwether Lewis; William Clark; their dog, Seaman; and Mandan Chief Sheheke. Uh, no, Rich was not a member of the expedition when they established Fort Mandan near this spot to survive the harsh winter of 1804-05.

Later this afternoon...

I had planned to share a few more small moments in this post as we drove 180 miles or so west, but we just arrived at our destination in Medora, North Dakota near the Montana border. Yesterday, Rich found an opening at a small campground here in the Little Missouri National Grasslands.

The terrain was a bit more hilly but the field crops stayed the same for much of the drive.

In the area of the Bakken oil formation there are signs like this...anyone need a job there?

Here is one of the oil wells alongside I-94. It looks like they're "flaring the well' which means that the flame you see just to the left of the storage tanks is from natural gas burn off. It's impossible to get good photos in the rain of sights over on the other side of the interstate, but you get the idea.

So, we're rolling along on our way to the Little Missouri National Grasslands expecting to see lots of flat grassland like this area where the sign is located...right?

But then, just around a curve from that sign, with my jaw dropped open in shock, I took this.

and this

and this

We have been to so many places and seen such wondrous sights that one suspects there are no surprises. That was certainly not the case today. I had no idea that this area would be covered with beautifully colored canyons. I'm sitting at my desk in the front window of the RV looking at this as I type. 

What are we waiting for? Let's go exploring!

Lovin' Life ~~ Awestruck By This Country!

American White Pelican in Flight

My fascination with pelicans began on Galveston Island in April 2011 and continued this past January in La Jolla, CA. Those were all Brown Pelicans. Here I've become acquainted with American White Pelicans and they are just as beautiful to watch. After our drive through the countryside this morning, we came back on Hwy 83 south of the lakes. With few vehicles on the viaduct dividing Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon, Rich could stop on the shoulder for a short time. That's all the time needed to get these great shots of this pelican taking flight. Timing is everything and we seem to often be blessed with great timing. They are so large and appear so awkward as they attempt their take off but are so graceful once they are in the air.

Lovin' Life ~~ And Pelicans

Pheasant Hunting

Rich woke me up at 6:30 this morning and when I looked out the window on my side of the bed, this is what I saw. For those who are wondering...weird ones...NO, I do not sleep with my camera; Rich brought it to me...giggle!

We had planned to get an early start on our hunt for Ring-Necked Pheasants. As you know, when we hunt our only weapon is a camera. We had not driven a mile before seeing this rooster. When I first saw him, he was standing tall but by the time we got in range he had hunkered down in the grass as they do when threatened. It was so cool to see! Note the red ring around his eye.

Even though we would see lots of hens and chicks on our drive over the next several hours, we only saw a couple more roosters. The morning was breathtakingly beautiful so I'm just going to share a small sample of the 240 photos I just uploaded. This is the order in which they were taken. Our drive this morning took us around the far side of Lake Audubon and through the Lake Nettie Wildlife Refuge.

The sun streaming through holes in the clouds.

We quickly discovered that the pheasants gather near the wheat straw bales that are left along the road.

Pheasants in flight

A line of geese on Lake Audubon

Lake Audubon

American White Pelicans on Lake Audubon

Glorious early morning sun rays

Western Grebes

An old barn

The road was filled with hens & chicks here

See the two little heads in the grass?

Golden wheat and a lake in the background

Cattails

See how the chick is nearly hidden by his coloration?

Finally, another rooster!

An intensely blue sky over the golden field

A Ferruginous Hawk

The vivid colors of field crops

This rooster kinda sorta posed for us!

These pheasants were all perched on a straw bale and took flight toward the shelter of the corn as we approached.

Back around to Lake Audubon

Sun shining through clouds on a sunflower field

Breathtaking!

Out here I was able to walk to the field for closeups.

We drove country roads like this one all morning.

Wheat straw ready for baling

An alfalfa hay field in bloom

Lovin' Life ~~ On Such a Glorious Day

The Enchanted Highway

You may not know it by this name but I would bet you have seen photos. Metal sculptor, Gary Greff, of Regent, North Dakota began designing and creating these massive sculptures installing the first, The Tin Family, in 1991. From where we are parked, it was about 400 miles of driving round trip to visit the seven sculptures along a 30 mile stretch of road between Gladstone and Regent, North Dakota. It was well worth the drive!

The Tin Family ~ 1991

Theodore Roosevelt Rides Again ~ 1993

Pheasants on the Prairie ~ 1996

To provide a sense of the size of these enormous sculptures, here are shots of Rich and I at the Pheasants.

The girls enjoyed the art along with us! Here they are, fascinated by the Pheasants.

Grasshopper's Delight ~ 1999

Geese in Flight ~ 2001

Deer Crossing ~ 2002

Fisherman's Dream ~ 2006

If you ever find yourself within a few hundred miles of The Enchanted Highway, be sure to visit this remarkable piece of Americana. Donation boxes are placed at some of the sculpture sights but I suggest visiting the Gift Shop in Regent for an ice cream cone and to shop for souvenirs in support of his art.

This drive provided us with the opportunity to see rural North Dakota and visit an interesting historical site too, so stay tuned!

Lovin' Life ~~ Enchanted