Day Fourteen - T. Roosevelt N.P.

We had breakfast at a little restaurant called Fitzgeralds across the street. Fitzgeralds was a far better option than the complementary breakfast at the hotel, which was available in truly a 5 square foot area!

We were on the road by 8:15am once again heading due east on I-94. The temperatures were 60F when we left but would steadily climb to 93F. We continued following the Yellowstone River.

We rode 180 miles straight through Montana and into North Dakota. We said goodbye to the Yellowstone River near Glendive, Montana and shortly entered North Dakota.

About 26 miles into North Dakota we made our first stop of the day at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, ND.

We checked out the visitor’s center at the park, read up on Teddy Roosevelt and his conservation efforts (which Michele pointed out was a bit contradictory since he originally settled in this area to hunt!) and then rode around the 36 mile scenic loop through the Southern portion of the park.

We saw a lone Bison taking a stroll along the roadway, several wild horses, and plenty of prairie dogs. Around one corner we came upon a cluster of three adult horses and two gray foals standing together in the middle of the road with no intention of moving. As we came around, the little foal snapped its head up to look at Tom.

Here's a video caught with the GoPro camera as we approached and passed the horses. 

Here's a video Michele took of the horses.

The scenery throughout the park was similar to that of the Badlands of South Dakota but with vegetation (shrubs, brush, and a few trees). The rock formations were a kaleidoscope of colors ranging from dark brown, to tan, to vibrant reds.

After we had completed the loop through the park, we headed back into Medora for lunch at a little place called the Boot’s Café. We then topped off the bikes with fuel and continued east for a few miles on I-94 for a quick stop at the Painted Canyon overlook. Similar to the Painted Desert near the Grand Canyon, the view was very cool.

With our sightseeing done for the day, we were back on the road for the final 240 miles of the ride. We crossed over the Missouri River near Bismarck where we made a final fuel and leg stretcher stop.

A hundred miles later, we arrived in Jamestown, ND were we would spend the night. With the change to Central Time from Mountain Time, it was now 7:30pm. We ate at the nearby Applebee’s (and enjoyed their “Perfect Margaritas”). After dinner, we chatted for about 30 minutes with a nice couple from Wisconsin who had a red 2008 Goldwing, trailing a popup camper. We traded war stories about bad roads, crazy drivers and the brutal wind.

Today’s mileage was around 460 miles. Tomorrow we head into Minnesota for lunch with Michele’s Mom in St. Paul and then begin our ride down the Great River Road into La Crosse, WI.