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    Default North Dakota Travels

    Monday, September 14
    Start: Cottonwood Campground, Theodore Roosevelt NP, Medora, ND
    End: Lake Sakakawea State Park campground, Pick City, ND

    Drove into Medora for breakfast, found only one cafe open; Medora is a small town. Enjoyed a
    good, basic cafe breakfast before leaving town. Our goal today was to visit Fort Union Trading Post National Monument and make our way toward Knife River Villages NM. Fort Union is north of Theodore Roosevelt NP, along the MT/ND border. I always enjoy visiting Fort Union, it is a re-creation, but the location along the Yellowstone River, near the confluence with the Missouri River gives you a sense of its isolation in the 1800s.

    Fort Union Trading Post NHS




    Driving in this part of North Dakota takes you through the heart of the gas/oil fields. I was taught that if you can't say anything nice about someone or something you should say nothing at all. I have nothing to say, or in this case, write.

    On our way to the Knife River area, located in central ND, we stopped at Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge. The ranger on duty was very friendly. Besides the standard Blue Goose stamp they had a stamp with a Cedar Waxwing in the center, none seen while in the area. We stopped for dinner in Buelah at a Chinese Buffet. Nothing fancy, but clean and the fresh vegetables tasted very good.

    We camped at Lake Sakakawea State Park, near Pick City. The lake is part of the Little Missouri Scenic River. We saw a few interesting birds, but the highlight was seeing a Thirteen-lined
    Ground Squirrel
    . When looking up to identify ground squirrels along our travels I have always hoped to see one, but had not until today. It was too wary to get a picture. Also seeing pheasant as we came into the park was pretty cool. Sightings like these are why I am a big proponent of camping as much as possible along the way. I would argue for some, the extra cost, if having to rent an RV and gas consumption, is worth it. Our best animal sightings on this trip, and others have been while camping.

    Passport Stamps
    Theodore Roosevelt National Park - North Unit
    Fort Union Trading Post NHS - Williston, ND
    Lewis and Clark Nat'l Historic Trail - North Dakota

    Bonus stamps
    Bighorn Sheep pictorial (very attractive)
    Visit Williston, ND - Boomtown, USA
    Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge - large print, Cedar Waxwing
    Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge - standard Blue Goose

    Wildlife Sightings
    Bison
    Pronghorn
    Black-tailed Prairie Dog
    Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

    Turkey Vulture
    Common Raven
    American Crow
    Gull - 2 different species
    Ground Sage Grouse
    Hairy Woodpecker
    American Robin
    Western Meadowlark
    Cormorant
    Red-tailed Hawk
    Rough-legged Hawk
    Wild Turkey
    Swallow
    Brewer's Blackbird
    Great Blue Heron
    Canada Geese
    Mourning Dove
    Pheasant
    Last edited by Pmount; 10-24-2015 at 10:53 PM.

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