Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND

For many years the Little Missouri River and it's tributaries have cut through the soft sandstone layers of the North Dakota badlands.  This rugged land received national park status in 1947.  As you drive the park you can find prairie grasses, prickly pear cactus, mountain junipers, cottonwoods and sage brush...two separate areas are accessible by car...

The South Unit access is at Medora.  A 36 mile scenic loop drive has pullouts and interpretive signs. Overlooks show off the rugged badlands scenery, with all it's colorful rock and sand layers.   A herd of bison roam here, as does a herd of wild horses.  Prairie dog "towns" are entertaining.  Teddy Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin, used during his cattle ranching days, is on exhibit near the Visitor Center.

The North Unit is about 50 miles north, and presents different scenery.  A 14 mile drive leads in and out of the park.  Grasslands and cattle drives are the theme here, along with overlook views of the winding Little Mo.  Another herd of bison graze here, wandering across the roads.  A herd of longhorn steers have been introduced to the North Unit, but we didn't have the chance to see them up close.  Unusual rock formations called "cannonball concretions" can be seen at one pullout.

The Elkhorn Ranch unit, home to Teddy Roosevelt from 1884-1887, lies somewhere between the other two. The buildings no longer exist, but the foundation stones are there, and the peaceful scenery around it.  This area is not easily accessible by car.

From North Dakota we returned to Minnesota.

Medora, North Dakota

The last week of August was spent in Dickenson, North Dakota.  From our base camp there, we took the car to explore Medora, and the North and South Units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Medora was founded in 1883 by French nobleman Marquis de Mores, who named the town after his daughter.  It grew to be a ranching and cattle town, with Texas longhorn cattle drives passing nearby.

In Medora, we took part in the famous "Pitchfork Fondue" dinner.  Steaks are speared on pitchforks, then quickly seared in vats of hot oil...baked beans, potatoes, cole slaw, fruit, and brownies are served buffet style to complete the meal.  Long rows of tables are set outside, so you just fill your plate and grab a seat...

We visited the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, filled with memorabilia and stories of the west...of cattle drives, rodeo, homesteads, native Americans, and ranch life.

Old Town Hall Theater had a presentation about the life of Teddy Roosevelt and how time spent in North Dakota influenced him to become United States President.  It was told by a nationally known Roosevelt historian/reprisor who even resembled the man in looks and dress.

Idaho & Montana

We left the Yakima Valley in Washington to continue our journey east.  The first night found us near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  We were able to stay in our campground there and observe the solar eclipse on August 21st before moving on to Montana.
 
Driving toward Stevensville (south of Missoula) we encountered thick smoke from the Lolo Fire (in the National Forest near Hamilton).  Days earlier the highway had been closed, and evacuations occurred.  Command centers were still active along the route.  But, we were able to get through and spent a couple days visiting relatives there.  Then it was back to I-90, through Butte, Bozeman, Billings, and on I-94 to North Dakota.

East of Billings we drove by Pompey's Pillar, a massive sandstone "rock" that rises up along the Yellowstone River.  Based on petroglyphs & carvings on the stone, this landmark has guided travelers for centuries.  One notable etching...William Clark (of explorers Lewis & Clark) scratched his name there in 1806...the site is now a national monument.

Columbia River Gorge & Mt Hood

The Columbia River flows westward through the Cascade Mountains near Mt Hood on it's way to the Pacific Ocean.  Volcanoes, lava flows, flood waters, and glaciers carved this nearly 100 mile National Scenic Area.  The river forms a natural border between states of Oregon and Washington.

Mt. Hood is visible from many points. Towns dot the shores: Goldendale has Mary Hill Museum of Art, a winery, and replica Stonehedge Memorial nearby.  The Dalles has an interpretive center.  Oregons's hwy 35 entrance to Mt Hood National Forest is in the town of Hood River.  Cascade Locks has a marine park, home to a 500 passenger excursion stern-wheeler boat that offers river tours (we saw it paddling upstream).  "Bridge of the Gods" toll bridge ($1 per car) crosses the river at Cascade Locks.  Besides vehicles, this bridge also has lots of foot traffic as hikers from the Pacific Crest Trail come into town.

Dams have transformed the river into something more peaceful than the raging river first encountered by Lewis & Clark in 1805.  But strong winds whipped up waves and brought out windsurfers and kiteboarders the August day when we drove by.

 

Two highways, I-84 on the Oregon side and hwy 14 in Washington, allow for a scenic round-trip loop, with different views of the river and it's bluffs (double tunnels on hwy 14 were interesting: one for autos & one for trains).

West of Cascade Locks we tried to find Multnomah Falls, a 620 foot double-decker waterfall....but lots of other folks had the same idea and we couldn't even find a place to park!