Dickinson, ND - July 20 - July 26, 2009

On July 20 we traveled from Spearfish, SD to North Park Campground in Dickinson, ND. We visited North Dakota for three reasons, 1) to tour Theodore Roosevelt National Park, 2) to drive the Enchanted Highway, and 3) to check North Dakota off our list.  Plus, we were still burning time until Bill could renew his driver's license.  We found North Park to be a spacious campground located just north of town and within walking distance of the ever-important Super Wal-Mart.

As we were directed to our site we were surprised to find a rig identical to ours parked one slot away - same year, same floor plan, and same color.  Except for the rear grill, it was the Beast's twin.  The twin's owners, Ray and Lora, are insurance adjusters and were in town in response to a F3 tornado that slammed Dickinson on July 9th. 

We checked out the storm zone and were shocked at the amount of damage the tornado inflicted in the south part of the city.  Houses were completely removed from their foundations.  Others were missing roofs, sidings and walls.  Large trees were snapped off a few feet above the ground and bushes completely uprooted.   We were puzzled at one house that was missing its roof and exterior walls, but the interior walls remained standing.  It looked like a disheveled dollhouse.

We spent several evenings kicking back with Ray and Lora.  One evening we accompanied them to dinner at the local Elks Club for the weekly steak dinner.  We had a great time and Ray sponsored Bill in becoming an Elk.  Although the initiation ceremony was very informal and quite abbreviated Bill was assured he is now an antlered animal and not even his trusted wife can know the secret handshake.  Hmmm.  Sounds like a challenge.

Now, back to our stated goals.  Our first full day in North Dakota found us traveling the 32-mile Enchanted Highway to Regent.  The highway is the whimsical creation of Gary Greff, a former teacher and principal.  To date, Gary has created and installed seven enormous metal sculptures in an effort to bring business and tourism to Regent.  We are not exaggerating the size.  For example, the Tin Family, created in 1991, includes Pa Tin at a height of 45 feet Ma Tin is just 1foot shorter and their preadolescent son, Timmy Tin, is 23 feet tall.  The most elaborate installation is 'Fisherman's Dream', an underwater scene that includes blue gill, walleye, catfish, northern salmon and a 70-foot rainbow trout.  Enchanted Highway is a bit of Americana not to be missed.

On our way home we stopped at the Benedictine Assumption Abbey in Richardton.  After talking with one of the monks we toured the graceful chapel admiring its beautiful stain glass windows and vaulted ceiling, followed by a brief stroll through the peaceful gardens. 

The following day we were off to Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  We had lunch at the recently renovated Rough Rider Hotel in the town of Medora.  Susan was reading Theodore Rex, Edmund Morris's biography of Roosevelt's presidential years, and was interested in all things Teddy. 

We toured Maltese Cross, Roosevelt's cabin when he first came to North Dakota as a rancher, and then took the 36-mile scenic loop through the park.  Along the way we saw several herds of wild horses, a few buffalo and a couple of prairie dog towns.  Roosevelt National Park is comprised primarily of badlands, but they are quite different than the badlands of South Dakota. 

On Sunday Ray and Lora hosted a barbeque dinner for Joe and Judy, their friends who had just arrived from Washington, and invited us to join them.  We had a wonderful evening with our fellow full-time travelers.  The following morning we had our rig washed, bid our new friends adieu and headed back to our home state - destination West Whitlock State Park on Lake Oahe.