Todd and Cindy's Travel Blog

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 McDonald’s 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 – “I’ve 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 don’t 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 didn’t know until last night, when one of Todd’s 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 wasn’t 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. Wasn’t impressed with the first Rest Stop we stopped at – pulled up to a sign that warned about rattlesnakes in the area….wasn’t 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…).

Day 2

We got on the road at 7:45AM from Milwaukee, but because of road construction, we went a bit out of our way (scenic route) before finding the I94 on-ramp. We made plenty of stops throughout the day – washroom breaks, gas fill-ups and lunch. We have to admit, the States does it right with their Rest Stops along the Interstates. Most we have encountered were very clean and well-kept (bit of a disappointment in Wisconsin). Lunch was bean salad (from Costco before we left), some mini Bretons, and a glass of wine.

The drive was uneventful …lots of rural land, cows, road construction, and billboards…. Hit one spot where clouds were “ugly” and rain came – but only for a very short time, oh and another where a transport almost went off the road (we sped by him…).

We arrived in Fargo (vaguely remember that movie with the Sherriff in Fargo – liked it…) around 6:30PM. After checking into the Wingate (had pre-booked on route this morning), we headed to Target to get some lunch supplies for tomorrow and some wine. Guess what – they don’’t sell alcohol in grocery stores in ND – you have to go to a liquor store! So we went to Harry’’s Bottle Barn – WOW! – could have spent hours looking around, BUT, I was on a mission…. Got some wine and headed back to the hotel to put it on ice.

After the greasy supper last night, we figured we should eat somewhat healthier… we walked across 45th St. to the plaza and found an Asian fusion restaurant called Samurai. We each had Miso soup, then split Edamame Beans, Beef Negimaki, and Vegetable Udon. The food was very good – fresh, hot, nicely presented and reasonably priced.

Retired to our room to have some “beverages”, play on the computer, watch some tv…… and get a good sleep, so we can have an early start tomorrow – another long day of driving….

Day 1 (on our way to Woodinville, WA) –

We both slept off and on all night anticipating the early start to the day, but then decided “we are on holidays!”, and didn’t leave the house until almost 8AM. We stopped at the duty free before the border – Todd was excited to get a 24 of Moosehead for $16; I picked up a reserve Sav. Blanc.

Up to that point the drive was uneventful -then we reached the US border at Sarnia and were “selected” for the intense screening (an orange paper was stuck to Todd’s passport) – we had to park the truck, turn over the keys, leave all electronics, take all cash and ID and proceed inside. Once inside, the security guy took our passports, had us fill out a form, asked us the basic questions, then went to remove the orange sticky note from Todd’s passport – AND RIPPED THE PAGE – NOT JUST ANY PAGE, BUT THE ONE WITH HIS SIGNATURE ON!!!! He then took the passport and taped the page in with GREEN DUCT-LIKE TAPE!!!!! He did apologize and then sent us on our way – no more questions, no frisk…..but a defective passport!!!!

We pulled over to a rest stop in Indiana for some lunch that I had packed – devilled eggs, chicken, and cauliflower salad…..plus a glass of wine.

We continued on…just in time to hit Chicago during rush hour – traffic was incredibly slow, but at least it kept moving. Once we passed the airport, things opened up. (Temperature – 35 degrees) We munched on some trail mix I had made – the chocolate covered goji berries “made it”.

We stopped in Milwaukee at a Best Western Plus for the night – got a special rate with one of the coupon books at the rest stop. It’s not bad (comes in middle of the road on TA) – it has a safe, fridge, and microwave….….wine and beer are chilling….

Looking forward to a good night’s sleep and an early (not too early) start in the morning….