Superior Wisconsin

Yeah, I know, what happened to Minnesota? Well, nothing really. I just had to take a detour before finishing up in Minnesota. My right back tire kept losing air so I went to get it fixed. Come to find out that there's nothing wrong with the tire; it was the rim that was cracked! Ouch! And the only place other than ordering a new one from Chrysler that could get one was Countryboys in Superior, WI. So $145 and one day later I'll be back on the road. Yep, they can get it but not until tomorrow after 10am can I pick it up. And they don't mount so I'll have to take it back to Wal-Mart to have it mounted. Oh well, better find out now whether than later when I'm on one of my back woods jaunts. My next trip was a trip around Lake Superior which will entail a trip into Canada.

I will include something I thought was rather cute. here are some picture of the "mighty" Mississippi River. Ha! Hey, everything starts small, right?

North Dakota - what a surprise!

I've always thought of North Dakota and some sort of barren wasteland; I couldn't be further from the truth. Although it doesn't really rank anywhere as far as energy or food production the western part of the state boast beautiful painted canyons and Lake Sakakawea - the third largest man-made lake in the United States.

And I found another gem of a place for those coming this way to visit. It borders Lake Sakakawea somewhere between Tioga and Williston, just close enough away that you could stay there if you had plans to play The Links of North Dakota. The place is Lund's Landing and the proprietors are the friendliest people and they serve the best Walleye and Juneberry pie for miles.

It was a good thing I came up this year too. If I'd come any of the past few years I might have come away with a different opinion. Seems North Dakota had gone through quite a few years of drought and just last winter had a record snow fall. This record snow fall just happen to fill up the empty sloops, ponds and small lakes. Even Lake Sakakaweah was down about 30+ feet according to locals. Even Lund's Landing would have looked completely different since the little inlet they are set on would have been completely dry. Timing is everything; so much for global warming!!

Enjoy the pics:

Beautiful Canyons


New construction technique


View from Lund's Landing teepees.

Our Americana

I have the great dialogues with myself as I'm driving down the road only to have my mind go blank when I sit down in front of my computer. Yeah, I know; must of you are saying right now, "So, what's different, his mind is blank most of the time, isn't it?" Funny!!

Anyway, driving on the back roads of America really opens your eyes to what is out here. "The more things change, the more they stay the same" is so very true. I remember back in Nevada driving through some of the old "ghost towns". Well, I've already driven through many of the future ghost towns of America. Most have some people hanging on refusing to leave but the towns themselves are pretty run down.

One example is the quaint little town of Belfield, ND. A small town still well occupied but not being kept up. I'm sure not so long ago there were a contingent of people that took pride in what the town looked like; not so anymore.

As I was driving through I noticed a sign for the Belfield Dam. Well, where there is a dam there is generally a lake. So off I go. I figured it would be a nice place to eat lunch. To my delight it was a beautiful 'pond' albeit a large pond but I'd never call it a lake. What disappointed me and delighted me were two scenes at the lake. The first was the name of the park - "The Dam Park". Now some one or group of people had to have a great sense of humor. Love it.

But just behind the sign was a well designed playground for the young kids. The playground was left untouched, for how long is anyone's guess.

I just think it's kind of a sad statement about human nature. One group of people strive so hard to build something up while the next or the next generation choose to go their own path (nothing really diabolical) leaving the past's charm to ruin. Like everything else, life is one big circle. What comes around, goes around.

Belfield Pond


The Sign


The park playground


Belfield Quarry



Ducks feeding in Belfield Lake




One really nice side benefit of driving through these little towns is every now and again you find a gem. In Marmarth, ND you find such a place. Now the town itself leaves much to be desired but on the outskirts of the town is an Automobile Museum. Yep! The older gentleman moved there about 7 years ago and brought all of his automobiles with him. And I mean all - over 50 and they all run according to him. He keeps them all up by himself. Everything from late 1800s to maybe a 1940 or 1950 but very few 'newer' models. In fact he has the original roadster owned by General Dougles MacArthur. One just like it won a Grand Prix race.

And that's not the best part, amongst the cars are collections of pictures that contain just about every famous person from the region - Geronimo, Custer, TR, Annie Oakley, Bat Masterson, Will Bill, Billy the Kid, etal. You name it, this guy had a picture.

Definitely make it a stop if you're ever in North Dakota.

Camping on the Gallatin River

Greek Creek is the name of the campsite.

Evening everyone; well, at least it is for me. All’s quite around here for me now. My daughter doesn’t arrive back home until the 9^th and since I’m already back in Montana I thought I’d camp for a few days while I’m waiting for her to get back home. Well, I got here the day before Labor Day and now that it is Labor Day there is only myself and one other campsite occupied. So yes, except for the cars passing by it’s pretty quite. Yes, cars; it’s not like you have much of a choice when you are a drive-by camper. Although I like the spot I’ve got. It’s off to its own and the river is right next to me. I took some pics so you know what I’ve lived like for the past three days (by the time I post this).

I’ve been trying to catch a fish to eat but I think I bought the wrong license. You see, I bought a fishing license; I should have bought a catching license. Sheesh! If I had to depend on fishing to survive I think I’d die in short order. Anyone out there want to teach me how to fish and actually catch something worth eating????

Labor Day is the first day of bow hunting season so I’ve seen a lot of bow hunters coming out of the woods. All empty handed. Guess they are having the same kind of luck I’m having.

Hey, Len, you’d be proud of me. Once I got to the campsite I set out to find some firewood naturally thinking all loose firewood had already been picked clean. Well, I bought a bow saw and it came in very handy. Found some drift wood along the shore the size of a tree and actually found a downed tree, brought them both to camp and have had plenty of firewood all three days. And I’m getting pretty good and starting my fires. Haven’t had to use the ‘special stick’ but once. There’s a pic of my firewood about half used up included with the others. Cool idea, that saw!

Well, better get my supper fixed. Hmmm, Polish Sausage or Spam!!! Lol

Montana

Driving through Montana give me the vastness of not only the state but of the United States. The United States is the 3rd largest country in the world, similar in area to China. The only two larger countries are Russia and Canada yet much of their territories are virtually uninhabitable. Montana, taken alone, would still be one of the 100 largest countries out of the 233 recognized. heck, Alaska almost makes the top 40.

And I'm getting the sense that Montana can be split into three distinct regions: high mountain treed, rolling grassy hills and in the far West, plateaus; all with their own distinct beauty I might add.

Glacier National Park is beautiful with too many trails for me to take on this particular trip but the two I did go on were well worth the treks. Hidden lake and St. Mary Falls, enjoy the picks.

Walk up to Hidden Lake (1.6 miles and 2,000 feet up) Hidden Lake


































Below St. Mary Falls St. Mary Falls.

Whitewater

This is for all you whitewater fanatics. The first is on the Payette River in Idaho and the second is the Kootenai River in Montana. I say we get a group together, go to the National Whitewater Center in North Carolina, learn how to kayak rapids and then go take these babies on. What say you?!?!? Sounds fun, huh?