DAY 11 of the Great Adventure
Animal had a truly amazing adventure last night. She had her
bedding out under the stars (I was in the van reading to put myself to sleep).
The next thing I know she’s hissing my name. Then she’s at the door telling me
that a bison had just passed by on the road, which was no more than 10 feet
from her bed. When I got up to look there was only dark and the lights from the
check-in station. I went back to bed. Shortly after she was back telling me
that either the bison was back or another one had just passed by. Again I saw
nothing, but this time I could hear the low huffing of a large animal
breathing. Kewl.
I stayed awake for awhile, keeping my glasses on, just in
case, but there was no repeat. Oh well.
In the morning light I got up before her and just took in
the amazing sight that was this little section of N. Dak. We were actually in
the Cottonwood camping ground with only a few
other tenters, campers and trucks, most of whom had left by the time we were up,
so it was quiet. More quiet than I can remember ever being for a campsite. After
Animal got up we were repacking the van when along come two feral horses, one
paint, the other a brown, both obviously male. They were very comfortably
wandering the campgrounds, staying out of reach of the people who kept trying
to touch them (not me – when I see a sign that says don’t bother the wild
animals I take it to heart, and these were definitely not tame.)
Once we were packed up we drove the scenic route around the
park rather than just leaving. We took a very short hike to the Wind Canyon
overlook (amazing). Off in the distance was a herd of bison, just chillin’. Further
along we came upon another herd closer to the road, and even further was a herd
of horses up on a bluff. Several times we stopped and just took pictures, and
there were a couple more short hikes, including Coal Vein Trail, which led us
to a place where lightning had started a coal seam on fire in the 50’s. It
burned for until the 70’s before finally going out on its own.
I really can’t describe the scenery. My pictures may capture
some of the grandeur, but words do nothing, so I won’t even try. I’ll just say
that it’s something one should see if you are in the area.
Finally, we stopped in at the Visitor Center
and watched the 17 minute film about Teddy Roosevelt, who started the whole National
Parks deal. (Teddy, thank you. You have done the country, nay, the world a
humongous favor.)
There was an almost oops there – I nearly left my camera in
the theater. That would’ve been BAAAD!
We then went into Medora, just outside the park, and had
dinner at the Boots Bar and Grill. Animal persuaded me to try a bit of Prairie
Oyster (chewy). Then we got on the road
again heading for Medicine Wheel, Wyoming.
Along the way we passed through the edge of a very dramatic
thunderstorm. At the rest stop we were right under the dark, bumpy looking clouds
(scary).
We got to the outskirts of Billings around 10:30ish Mountain Time and
found a Motel 6. After showering I fell into bed and conked.
By the way, somehow in the Cottonwood
campground we lost a quail. I don’t mean it died, I mean it disappeared out of
its box. So we were down to nine. Then on the drive we lost two more. So now
there are seven. Yay, even in the midst of such beauty there is death. The
bodies were interred along the way. Rest in peace, kids.
So much for Day 11.
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