Monday - June 22

Clouds and sun......Mark decided we needed to check out the town of Williston (17 miles away) and have a hearty breakfast.    While we both enjoy coffee shops, he had a craving for his favorite biscuits 'n gravy, hash browns, eggs, etc.....it was a wild, wooly and ROUGH trip into town.    Glad we didn't have Flo as the gravel roads were extremely rough and dusty.    We found "Meg-a-Latte"  a very nice new coffee house (3 locations in town) - very classy and I got my skinny vanilla latte.    Mark found "Dakota Farms Family Restaurant" and got his biscuits 'n gravy fix.   We were both happy campers!    

On our way back to Flo, we passed a biker pulling a little cart and admired him for traveling these rough roads and dealing with all the dust, dirt and big trucks from construction.   At times it was white-out conditions with all the dust.    They need rain very badly - big cracks in the ground, yellowish grass and the dirt is a very fine powder.    We took a different route home but still rough.    No good way to get in or out of this state park via Williston.    Tomorrow when we leave, we'll have Flo, so.....

Back to the park, changed clothes, put on our new hiking shoes, packed our backpack and we were off.   Stopped at the office and met Gary, the biker with the little cart we had seen earlier.    Mark mentioned we had passed him outside of Williston and then we got his story....

.Gary left Birmingham, Alabama 46 days ago and biked up the east coast into NY and then across the northern US.    His destination is Seattle and on down the coast, back across the middle part of the country and return to Birmingham.  He averages 100-120 miles per day (today only 40 and then staying here to rest for a few days)!    Gary does this every year raising $ for various causes.    This year it's about the animals and making sure people who adopt or purchase a lizard or snake, know how to properly take care of them.    Gary is originally from South Africa - neat accent and enjoyed talking to him.    His little cart holds his tent, clothes and food.    Reminded us of the guy we met in Medina, NY 2 years ago who was traveling on the Erie Canal in his kayak 

Gary

Lots of big grassy areas here and they cut a 5' swatch thru the tall grass for walking paths.    Mark (ole farm boy) recognized the various grasses/weeds, etc......Timothy, brome, alfalfa, milkweed and sweet clover.    We hiked 4.7 miles and enjoyed the views - hills, lake, and wild-open prairie.    Weather was ideal!    And never met another hiker!

Our walking path

Tunnel under the road

Lake Sakakawea

Lots of pine trees along the lake

Scenic spot

Although the Badlands National Park is in South Dakota (near where Jim, Mark's brother and Lydia) are currently vacationing, this Lewis and Clark State Park is also part of the Badlands.

Read our books in the afternoon, took a little nap and just enjoyed this pretty day!

Nachos for supper and then walked around the campground!   

  Tomorrow we are off to Montana.    Been checking any and all restrictions for the states we've visited regarding the coronavirus.     Definitely fewer cases in these parts and no one is wearing a mask - employees or customers.    We always have ours with us.

So strange to not have it get dark till after 10:00.    As I end this blog for the day, it is 8:40 and just as light as it can be!!!    Nighty night!