North Dakota Rolling Green Hills July 6 - 12

We followed route 2 out of Williston rather than the mapped 1804, and diverted further by taking a back road through the old west historic town of Epping. It was so cool - hope we can go back on a day other than Monday (it was closed). The ride was beautiful but slow going with the headwinds. We passed by a very tranquil camping area near the Epping/Springbrook dam and met the famous North Dakota pelicans. After Epping we had to beat out a storm to camp in Tioga. We were awakened in the middle of the night by a mosquito spraying machine right around our tent! That was followed by a 2 1/2 hour thunder/lightning storm - the tent kept us very dry. The next morning we had planned to camp in Berthold but there wasn't much there to eat so we had pizza at the gas station and pushed on to Minot. We battled through the headwind and 90 miles that day knowing that we would have the next day off and checked into the Select Inn after 8 pm - long day!!

Here are a few pictures of what our days off look like for those of you who have inquired. I finally had to retire my butterfly sox - the ones that match the bike so beautifully. This is the first time I have worn out a pair!

After a day off, lots of errands and food we started out toward the Geographic Center of North America: Rugby, ND, with a tailwind! We arrived early enough to enjoy the outstanding Pioneer Village and Museum there and camped at a place across the road from the cornerstone marking of the Geographical Center. The next morning we ate at the cornerstone cafe where the locals included us in their conversation. It was really fun breakfast talk. We met Lyle who is into antique military equipment. Everyone wished us well. We enjoyed finally riding on a road other than Rt 2, and arrived in the devil's lake area with enough time to tour Fort Totten. This facility began as a military fort , then became a school, then a polio sanatorium, and now for many different uses and community groups. We camped at the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort and ate some of the best and economical meals we have had yet.

On July 11, we left Spirit Lake and the reservation and headed toward Hope. On the way we spotted another bike ahead and better yet, going our way was a bike Friday tandem! We rode with John and Laura (from Washington DC starting their cross country trip from Vancouver) to Binford Cafe for lunch, swapping stories the whole way. As we were traveling further that day we said our goodbyes and wished them well. In Hope we met 2 more cyclists, Kormack and Lindsay from the Boston area who were heading further that day and chatted for a bit before setting up camp in the city park.

The next morning we stopped in Page (where people park in 2 perfect lines in the middle of the street) for 2nd breakfast and once again met up with Kormack and Lindsay. We set out with them and worked the 17 mile stretch in a paceline against a wicked east wind. Once we got to Fargo we split, they to a motel and us to camp at Lindenwood park. We found an evening Mass at St. Anthony's, about a 2 mile walk away, stopping to eat dinner at a grocery store. While walking back, we met a lovely family walking home and chatted with them about our adventures. We had such a nice time visiting with Dave, Lisa and children. Dave offered to drive us to camp and we gratefully accepted.