Day 3
So we got on the road at 8AM after a decent sleep, thinking it would be a pretty uneventful day .
Just outside of Fargo, we passed a Rest Stop on the left meant to service both sides of the Interstate. We thought it was odd (they have always been off to the side, on the right) first one like that we had seen. Then, just after that, we heard on the radio that some drunk driver had pulled into THAT Rest Stop and then left GOING THE WRONG WAY on the Interstate! He caused a head-on collision and killed a woman and her baby – UNBELIEVABLE!
Our first stop of the day was a McDonalds in Bismarck ND for a washroom break, to pick up some tea, and to eat the fruit and yogurt we brought with us from Fargo. Todd ordered our usual 2 teas, bag in, and a little bit of milk .the girl called over the manager, He asked for milk. The Manager You mean creamers ?… Todd No, milk. Girl to manager Ive never had someone order tea with milk. Manager to Todd I can sell you a small milk. (Seriously?! What do they put in their tea in ND??).
Somewhere between Bismarck and Dickison ND, a pickup (BTW there are a lot of pickups and SUVs in this part of the country) sped up behind us, so we cut over so he could pass . Well ….we dont know if he was playing on his phone, sleeping, or inebriated already so early in the day, BUT he was ALL OVER THE ROAD we honestly expected an accident . It was nerve-wracking watching the display and Todd remained far enough back, just in case . He finally exited at Dickison, and we could carry on more relaxed.
We didnt know until last night, when one of Todds friends (thanks Wolfgang) asked if we were going to see the Badlands, that we were driving through them . WOW! We stopped at Theodore Roosevelt National Park at the Painted Canyon Visitor Center look-out and had our lunch and photo shoot. The sight was amazing (really, had no idea what the Badlands were, or that we would come across them ). For as far as you could see there were mounds of land with their barren faces sprouting brush here and there. We even saw a buffalo up on one of the ledges above the trail. There are signs posted to not approach wildlife, but one couple walked along the trail leading up to where the buffalo was lounging .it wasnt until they were almost there that they spotted him and retraced their steps quickly back .
We changed time zones to Mtn. time and headed into Montana. Wasnt impressed with the first Rest Stop we stopped at pulled up to a sign that warned about rattlesnakes in the area .wasnt even sure I needed to use the washroom anymore at that point .
After a long day of driving, we pulled into the Country Inn & Suites in Billing MT (had it pre-booked earlier in the day) at 5:45PM (Mtn. time). We were excited to see a liquor store right next store (so convenient…), so after checking in, we checked it out ….and replenished our wine supply. We then went for a walk felt great to get the blood flowing . Supper was okay….local Chinese restaurant for lots of veggies. Service was really slow, but food was decent.
Getting ready to settle in for a deep sleep before you last long drive out West tomorrow. Destination Spokane WA (already booked the room on line tonight ).