Daisy and I spent August 7 through 9 visiting friends in two small towns in North Dakota, with a little time for relaxing between our travel days.
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Day 54
233 miles
Daisy and I saw many of these angled structures as we traveled across the grasslands.
When cold winter winds come to the high plains, often accompanied with blizzards, livestock look for shelter. Because natural protection is usually not available, some ranchers build artificial barriers to provide shelter from wind and drifting snow. Researchers have documented the effects of these shelters in deflecting drifting snow and reducing wind speed. The most tangible benefit is the reduction in feed required by the animal to maintain its body condition over the winter. A 90-degree "L"-shaped protection barrier reduces wind speed by at least 60% in a shelter zone extending 5 times the barrier height downwind.
OK, I'm done with South Dakota roadside agricultural education for now.
The winds were light and pushed us along as we approached the North Dakota state line.
OK, I'm done with South Dakota roadside agricultural education for now.
The winds were light and pushed us along as we approached the North Dakota state line.
Ever wonder what makes North Dakota “Legendary”?
We spent the evening of Aug. 7 in Bowman, located in southwestern North Dakota, where we visited our friend Cindy Hoff.
We stopped to see her at the store where she works.
Cindy had made reservations for us at a local campground where we went to check in.
Cindy came over and picked us up on her way home from work and fixed us a delicious slow-cooker, comfort-food dinner.
Cindy and I are close friends and we were history interpreters for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial several years ago at Fort Mandan in central North Dakota. We spent a great evening sharing stories.
Our campground was beside a wheat field that was nearly ready to harvest, and we had another beautiful sunset.
Wednesday, August 8
Day 5
169 miles
It was a nice 79 degrees when we left Bowman, ND heading for Center, ND. There was interesting scenery and roadside artworks along the way in addition to the expected barns and silos.
The next two nights we stayed at a town campground in Center (northwest of Bismarck) so we could spend time catching up with Arlene Yantzer and Shirley A. Deutsch Maier.
Arlene planned two great dinners for us, and of course I assisted with the preparation when allowed. One meal included my grilled Mexican corn on the cob, which was a hit.
Chip's Mexican Corn (Elote)
- Shuck corn and brush with veggie oil.
- Grill corn over medium heat, turning until cooked through and slightly charred.
- Brush each ear with a mixture of mayo and melted butter while hot.
- Sprinkle with a generous mixture of chili powder, smoked paprika, and crumbled Parmesan or cotija cheese.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with lime wedges.
Thursday, August 9
Day 56
The first thing in the morning, I took the truck in for an oil change right there in town. Then Arlene gave us a tour of Center, including its most recent claim to fame. This photo with Arlene and her son Bryce was taken a few miles north of town, at the geographical center of the continent of North America.
The town of Rugby, ND, had previously laid claimed to this title. In 2015, geographer Peter Rogerson of the University of Buffalo published a paper detailing a scientific procedure for determining geographical centers, and identifying Center as the actual location. Center was originally named because of being in the middle of Oliver County.
The bronze plaque describing Center’s unique distinction hasn’t been installed on the rock behind us yet, so we’ll have to get another photo after that is done!
Another memorial in Center is this marker for Hazel Miner, a 15-year-old girl who died in the blizzard of March 1920, one of the worst in North Dakota history. She and her two younger siblings were on their way home from school with their horse and sleigh when they got lost in the heavy snowstorm. They took cover under the overturned sleigh and Hazel used her coat to help keep her brother and sister warm. There were two blankets that Hazel spread over them and she lay down on top of the blankets to keep them from blowing away. When the children were found by a search party the next day, the siblings were still alive, but Hazel had died saving them. She became a heroine after her story became known.
That night for dinner I grilled blackened salmon and Arlene fixed rice and creamed marinated cucumbers.
Friday, August 10
Day 57
342 miles
It was a hazy, smoky morning as we left town on our final leg heading south back to Arkansas.
As we
drove across North Dakota, we observed miles of long, straight highways with
fields of crops….
…such as
wheat…
….sunflowers….
….and corn.
There were
also many cattle grazing on the rich grasslands….
….as well
as numerous rigs pumping oil.
Maybe one factor that makes North Dakota “Legendary” is its wealth of natural resources!
Maybe one factor that makes North Dakota “Legendary” is its wealth of natural resources!
Our destination that night was the County Line RV Campground in Summit, South Dakota. In coming to South Dakota, several days before, we had traveled in its western reaches, and now we were traveling in its eastern sections heading home.
At 2:45 pm we pulled into the campground we had first visited June 15 on our way north. They remembered us and we received a warm welcome as we related our travels since our last visit.
Saturday, August 11
Day 58
356 miles
As Daisy and I drove south, we enjoyed the sights of the central United States prairies and also visited friends and family. This was a good way to wrap up our wonderful journey.
During our trip south, we traveled through western Iowa, where it was nice to be welcomed by the people, not just the state!
Our next state was Nebraska. We don’t know as they have a corner on “the good life,” as we think our life is the best it could be!
We were in the it's-time-to-get-home mode. Because it was a weekend day, we made reservations at a place we had also stayed on our way north. When we travel long days I particularly like good hot showers and clean restrooms. The Victorian Acres RV Park in Nebraska City, NE meets those criteria.
Sunday, August 12
Day 59
143 miles
We took some secondary state roads to go visit friends in Kansas before we reached Arkansas. This was a short day on the road to our next stop at a campground near Scranton, Kansas.
The Kansas welcome sign didn’t make any claims, but did provide a visual hint that Kansas is called “The Sunflower State,” ….
…and we did see fields of sunflowers constantly turning toward the sun.
We also saw cattle and horses grazing on the rich grass. Observe the fact that the white, black, and brown animals are peacefully coexisting. Enough said.
Daisy loves seeing the patterns made by the fields of large bales.
As we drove south, we saw tall corn in the fields
that was still green….
….some that was starting to dry out and turn brown….
...other fields that were almost totally golden in color...
….then fields where the harvesting had already begun.
We spent the evening of the 12th at a campground south of Topeka, KS, where several of our “Winter Texan” friends live during the summer. Les and Brenda prepared a delicious dinner for us, and we also visited with Jerry and Joan, Steve and Cindy, Gayla and Roy, and Joe and Debbie.
Monday, August 13
Day 60
93 Miles
We went to Osage City where Steve and Sue Billings hosted us for a great brunch. It is always a special time when we can visit the homes of friends.
This was also a short day's travel. This time we were going to visit Daisy's brother Don Schlotzhauer and family near Kansas City. Because of our desire to run our A/C and keep the refrigerator running, we chose to stay in the closest urban campground. Normally we have parked out on the street and stayed in their house because their driveway is too steep to keep things functioning properly.
We stayed in Merriam, KS, for our last night on the road at a small RV park in the Kansas City metropolitan area, near Don’s home in Overland Park, KS.
The most difficult thing I had to do in this busy suburban area was making a left turn from the campground across a busy street.
That afternoon we relaxed and caught up with Don about the activities of his family members. In the evening Daisy's nephew Dan Schlotzhauer joined us for dinner at an Asian buffet. Time with family is priceless!
Tuesday, August 14
Day 61
236 miles
On August 14, we returned to our house in northwestern Arkansas after traveling in our truck camper for 61 days. We say “our house” rather than “our home,” because where ever we are together is “home”!
On this journey, we drove 8,342 miles, spent time with 43 friends and 9 family members, and took 9,696 photos!
Our trip included 16 states in the western and north central U.S. as well as 4 central and western Canadian provinces. Yes, it was nice to get back to “The Natural State” for a couple of weeks before we would be leaving again!
Daisy took this photo of our GPS as we were getting close to our house, which is appropriately marked by the checkered flag. You can see the arm of Table Rock Lake that curves around behind our house and also the black line that represents the Arkansas/Missouri state line. We can see Daisy's home state of Missouri from our deck!
We have shared many photos from our deck of the sun setting over Table Rock Lake, and this was our view on the night of August 15.
As the sun was setting, the crescent moon was already visible in the darkening blue sky. The moon doesn’t have to be full to be beautiful. By the time of the August full moon, we would be getting ready for our trip to the east coast!
We were glad to be home after a wonderful summer of traveling.
