Thursday, August 4, 2016

Valley City and Bismarck North Dakota…

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With no hook-ups at the casino it was a breeze to get ready to go. No water to disconnect, no sewer hose to put up and no electric plug to pull. We simply pulled in the slides, raised the jacks and started the engine! One hundred and fifty four miles later we pulled off in the town of Valley City ND and drove eight more miles north to the Mel Rieman Corps of Engineer park.
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The drive from Valley City to the park was a pleasant drive through a nice green valley. It was a nice respite from the fields of corn, golden wheat and occasional fields of yellow sunflowers. When we went to check in we noticed someone was still occupying our site. The camp host said they had till 1:00 pm but that another site was open and we could take it. This turned out to be better since the one we reserved would have been a challenge to get into while the one that was open was a paved pull through site. Score!
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During our recent travel we drove over a railroad track that was super uneven and as a result we were jarred pretty good. Usually if a track is rough there is a warning sign, but not this time.  Because of the jarring we heard a noise in our bedroom which turned out to be the closet rod collapsing. Therefore we spent one day running into town and buying repair parts to get our closet back into shape. We mainly stayed in the campground taking a few hikes to enjoy the views of the lake. It was very relaxing at this spot even though we spent much of the time repairing the closet.
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After two nights we pulled up stakes and drove further west on the dreaded and boring interstate. Another 154 miles (long drives for us) and we pulled into the town of Bismarck ND camping at General Sibley Campground. After setting up we still had time to play the park’s 24 hole disc golf course. It was a scenic and challenging course (2 and 1/2 miles long).  We felt that the campground was fantastic (despite the narrow entry roads to the sites) and the disc course was fabulous as well.
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The next day we drove into the capitol city of North Dakota and toured the state capitol. This state capitol is the second one we have visited that wasn’t a domed building. The tall skyscraper styled building was actually built in the 1930’s after the original capitol building had burnt down. The architects decided to build a new building that was inexpensive and space efficient thus resulting in a non-domed structure. Given the USA was on the cusp of a major depression it looks like they made a wise choice even if the architecture is unflattering.
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The inside of the capitol (at least on the first and second floor) was beautiful with lodes of Yellowstone Marble along the walls. We happened to be at the capitol on one of the days the house was in session. Amazing considering we read they are in session only 80 days over two years. Wow, what a great job!  We also took the elevator to the observation deck on the top of the building. This 360 panorama was pretty nice and solidified what we have been seeing...... that North Dakota is pretty flat!
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After the capitol we strolled over to the Heritage Center. This free museum (donations accepted) is really nice and they have several really good exhibits. Lots of fossils and dinosaur bones are found in North Dakota and their exhibit of those items is really well appointed. After the museum our last stop was at the local Laughing Sun Brewery where we enjoyed our first North Dakota made craft beers. They were quite good even though we thought they were a bit over priced!
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NOTE: Next up for us is a visit to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park (where we are now) where we will spend a few days to hike and sightsee before moving on to Miles City Montana…










14 comments:

  1. Where are you headed from Miles City? We're over by Townsend Mt if you're coming this way. We're here til the end of the month so Jim can fish.

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    1. we might be passing through Helena, what park are you staying at?

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    2. We are actually at the KOA near Townsend MT on Canyon Ferry Lake. It's about 25 miles from Helena. There's also a BLM campground across the road from us with no hook ups.

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    3. We are actually at the KOA near Townsend MT on Canyon Ferry Lake. It's about 25 miles from Helena. There's also a BLM campground across the road from us with no hook ups.

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  2. Hey we just arrived at Theodore Roosevelt NP today. You guys here? We're in Cottonwood Campground.

    Nina

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    1. We are at Red Trail Campground because cottenwood was full. We hope to stay another night but we have to check in the morning to see if they have availability. If so we would like to get together with you folks, what site are you in?

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  3. We enjoyed touring the capitol building, also. We were so surprised to learn all the people that are from ND! Hope you enjoyed Theodore Roosevelt NP.

    We are still at Sugar Bottom!! But our 14 day limit is up this weekend so we have to move on Sunday.

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    1. Wow glad you enjoyed your stay at that park... we did too!

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  4. I was hoping I'd catch up with you, and tell you about those huge art work along the Enchanted Highway.
    Here 's my post about it in case you are interested, for I think it is only 20 miles from Theodore Roosevelt NP
    https://lowestravels.com/2015/08/22/the-backroads-and-byways-of-north-dakota/
    At TRNP, be sure to drive also the North Section of the park.

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  5. Tiffin could use a better closet rod system...ours fell down too! Once replaced we were good to go! Safe travels.

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  6. Goin' to Montana soon,
    Gonna be a dental floss tycoon?
    Enjoy Big Sky

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  7. Neat looking capitol. LA also is a skyscraper.

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  8. You're sure making tracks this summer. The Pacific Ocean just might put a hiccup in continuing west.

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  9. That must have been some bump in the road to break the closet rod.

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