Near the Geographic Center of the United States (South Dakota): When we arrived in Medora, ND, three days ago it was 105°. We slept most of the night with the air conditioner running. The second night, it cooled down enough to only need a fan. Last night we slept with an extra fluffy blanket that has not been deployed in weeks. This morning, My Driver dug-out the space heater. It was 51° inside our RV when we woke. Crazy weather extremes. Dave went out for his bike ride this morning, only to return for another layer of clothing.
But our time in Medora was over, so we pointed the Petit Peregrinus south. More buffalo to find. More quaint Western towns to explore. We haven’t been this way in twenty years. Just leaving Theodore Roosevelt National Park this morning, we saw bison and a large herd (maybe 40?) wild horses! Then we turned south on Highway 85 (this route, called the CanAm Highway, travels from El Paso, Texas to the Canadian border in North Dakota at Saskatchewan) to find grasslands as far as the eye could see, with the occasional oil drill, bobbing up and down, to break-up the monotony. 85 is in terrible condition, with a rut carved into the pavement every 30 feet - expansion joints? Ugh. Everything in our poor RV was jangling.
85 is the straightest dang road either of us can remember. Rarely a curve or bend in the pavement. Nothing on either side of the road but beautiful grasslands. Rolling fields. Occasional herds of ranch-raised bison, beef cattle or sheep. We were delighted every time we saw a few wild Pronghorn Sheep, as they are an especially gorgeous creature - and they had a lot of babies in the small groupings. A gust of wind would wake My Driver every once in a while, but mostly it was a very monotonous drive. Every ten miles or so we would see the entrance/mailbox to a ranch. With the huge strands of snow fencing, I can't even imagine how rough/lonely the winters would be for ranchers in this corner of North and South Dakota. (Unless they needlepoint, of course.)
We had not been to a grocer in four days, and were so happy to find the nicest shop in Bowman, North Dakota - just before we entered South Dakota. Bronson's must feed everyone from within 100 miles! They make their own sausages, so we bought a few and filled our shopping list (though I felt bad purchasing the last lemon in the store.) Everyone was so friendly and so interested in our travels from California.
On this trip, we have mainly just been winging-it with campground reservations. We have nowhere to go and nothing to do. But this week we are heading down toward Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park and it just so happens next week is the 86th Sturgis Bike Rally - motorcycles. Everything was going to be packed, so we did plan ahead for next week... three days ago!
When we traveled in a 45-foot bus, carefully planned RV site reservations were a must. With this teeny RV, we can fit into practically any campground so it's easier to find a place to stay.
But today, we just wanted to get across the border into South Dakota and find a place to camp for the night. Which found us a few miles east of Belle Fourche (Beautiful Fork in French - because two rivers come together here), South Dakota - mostly famed for being the closest town the geographical center of the United States, and is the major shipping point (via rail) for local cattle, sheep and wool.
East of Belle Fourche is a reservoir with fishing and camping and we found a great (electric only) campsite on the lake for $30. Few other campers are here.
There was an issue with biting flies, which I remedied by remaining indoors, cooking dinner and drinking my martini - while watching the Dodgers (lose to the Cubs).
Pretty sure I have not made a macaroni salad in 20 years. Why? It is so delicious.
Until my next update, I remain, your we are in the middle of the USA correspondent.
Campground Information: Rocky Point Recreation Area