From One State Capitol to Another

We did something that I have never done before. We camped for the 4th night in a row! Usually we camp one night and then stay in a hotel the next. I like the fact that we are saving money but the reason we are camping so much is because we have Toby and it's easier just to pull into a campground and be done with it as opposed to paying extra for having a dog or sneaking him in.

We drove from the Theodore Roosevelt National Park to the state Capitol in Bismark, ND. The state Capitol was built in the early 30's after the original burned to the ground. It's a modern art deco building that if you did not know what you were looking for you could easily pass without notice. Inside is a very different storey. Art deco design, big columns and beautiful house and senate chambers.



We followed more of the Lewis and Clark Trail. We have traced all but a couple of small sections over the last ten or so years. Every since reading the Steven Ambrose book Undaunted Courage we have been following parts of the trail. Little side story - when Kent and I first started dating Undaunted Courage was being read on Radio Reader on NPR and we would listen to it in bed and get the map out and follow along and talk about retracing the route someday. I know TMI but it's my blog! Anyway......It really was an incredible journey across country when there were no interstates, campgrounds and nothing moved faster than a horse. Not to mention flush toilets and hot showers! Flush toilets and running water are two things I won't do without and hot shower although not a deal breaker can only be tolerated for one night!

We visited a Lewis and Clark visitor center located on the Missouri river. It was one of the better ones we've visited. When we signed the visitor book I noticed that there was a family from Aberdeen there visiting at the same time - small world.



Near there was a replica of Fort Mandan where the Corp of Discovery spent a long cold winter. The guide was very knowledgeable. There was a huge statue of Seamen - Lewis's dog that joined them on the journey. Of course we had get a picture of Toby with it!




From there we headed south to Pierre, SD. SD became Toby' s 7th state! The drive to Pierre was unbelievably beautiful - far exceeded my expectations. Big green rolling hills like big carpets of green grass on each side of the river. We took a short hike until we spotted the biggest snake we have ever seen and ran back to the truck (can't you just picture it) - there was a scream and some hyperventilating involved! I managed to get a picture of it on our other camera which has a zoom lens.

By the time we made it to Pierre we found a campground (with showers) grabbed some dinner and called it a day.



We are heading to the state Capitol first thing this morning and who knows where we will end up tonight. Having a great time, getting close to needing a hotel and good coffee!

Later -

Jim



-- Posted on the run from my iPhone.