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Deane and Norm's Motorcycle Trip to Northwest Territories & Nunavut | |
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August 30 - Bismarck, ND to Interior, SD - 355 miles |
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Starting out from Bismarck, it was quite cool, 50o F, and the high for the day was only 66o F. This was quite surprising, considering that this whole area was as hot as 95-100o just a week ago. Yesterday was very cool also, so apparently I am keeping up with the Arctic cold air mass that started pushing south when we were in Thompson. Of the three things I wanted to see today, the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, Wall Drug, and "The Badlands" of South Dakota, the Badlands was clearly the most interesting. Wall Drug is well known to travelers for its variety of goods for sale, in a group of huge buildings - far more than a drug store. For myself, I thought it was the biggest collection of tourist "stuff" (I won't say junk) I've ever seen. Ok, been there, done that. I wanted to go to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation because that is where the Sioux were forcibly moved in the late 1800's, and one of the best known chiefs, Sitting Bull, is buried there. Also, I wanted to ride as close to the Missouri River for as long as I could, and the road to do that goes through the reservation. The land on the reservation is rolling hills, with considerable ranching done there. I found conditions not bad at Fort Yates, the main town of Standing Rock, with most people living in modest but nice houses. However, I was surprised to find a brand new huge "Administration" building there. Seems out of place, but nice for those who work there.
Sight seeing in "The Badlands" was just marvelous. I hadn't been there before, and I was surprised at the beauty of the eroded hills. Subtle colors in layers, deposited over millions of years, and then eroded in about the last million years has produced a sight worth seeing. In a drive of only 30 miles , you will be amazed at the beauty and ruggedness of this area. If you get to South Dakota, be sure to see it.
Tomorrow I'll continue down through South Dakota, into Nebraska. I want to stop and spend some time at a particular little "Trappers and Traders Museum" at Chadron, Nebraska. |
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