Cruising: Bismark to Medora (North Dakota)

Better than we imagined!

As we were heading south through the state of North Dakota, you may recall how surprised I was with how little traffic, homes, farms, businesses, and humans we saw after driving for hours in the middle of the state, in the middle of the week, in the middle of summer.  

LisaMarie and I are east coast folk and, unfortunately, are accustomed to traffic, crowds, and convenience stores every few hundred feet. Not in the Dakotas; it is very different here. Did you know that the total population of North Dakota and South Dakota (combined) is approximately 1.6 million people (2020 census)? Did you also know that these two states comprise nearly 150,000 square miles and are the fourth largest state in square miles combined? But did you know their combined population makes them the fourth smallest in population? Two geographically big states with lots of land and very few people. It was an experience to experience North Dakota (South Dakota is next week); it is vast and open, and the scenery is truly eye-opening.

Once we moved through the state's center and arrived in Bismarck, ND., the area felt more comfortable due to the ‘conveniences.’ We saw McDonald's, Lowes, Pizza Hut, and Walmart (there were three). They even have a new, regional airport only 3 miles from the General Sibley Campground where we were staying (convenient for any 'fly-in' campers). Our incredibly private site backed up to the Missouri River (in the background) and provided plenty of room for us (and our entourage) to relax.

LisaMarie and I were leaving early the next day to head west and explore the area, especially Fort Abraham Lincoln (now a State Park) on the Missouri River, where General George Custer and his wife, Elizabeth, resided in 1876 before his ill-fated expedition at the Battle of Little Big Horn.

The state park encompasses over a thousand acres and includes the reconstructed Custer House, earth lodges, remnants of the military fort, and many scenic trails along the river.

The highest point at Fort Abraham Lincoln had all the military advantages against any potential adversaries by land or water (the Missouri River in the distance).

Since we were making our way west, we decided to take a slight detour along the Enchanted Highway, to visit a series of seven enormous metal sculptures made by local farmers/sculpture-artists (one is so large, it holds a world record), to promote tourism between the villages of Gladstone and Regent. We visited the first three (which were enormous); our favorite was the grasshoppers which were great pieces of authentic folk art honoring the daily role billions of grasshoppers play in the world of Dakota agriculture (LisaMarie said it was a bit creepy).

Ginormous Grasshoppers

Our vehicles must have killed hundreds of grasshoppers on their windsheilds and grills as we made our way to Medora.

Yes, the sand/clay IS THAT RED at the grasshopper parking lot!

See the white 1996 Chevy Pickup lower left? These are HUGE sculptures.

The Eye of the Geese along I-94.

Wait until you hear/see the next few days of our trip and the incredible things we saw during our first National Park (on this journey) at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Wild West town of Medora. 

We hope you stay with us; we promise inspiring photos, jaw-dropping natural vistas, and examples of the incredible wildlife we encountered in southwestern North Dakota. 

Enjoy.