Medora, ND

We arrived in Medora on Monday afternoon in rain and temps in the LOW 60's. After setting up at the Red Tail Campground, we decided to go to the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site. The town of Medora was founded in 1883 by a 24-year-old French nobleman, the Marquis de Mores. He named the town for his bride, the former Medora von Hoffman, daughter of a wealthy NY City banker. With the financial backing from his father-in-law, he founded the town of Medora, built a meat packing plant, a hotel, stores, and a large home, the Chateau de Mores overlooking his new town. His new home has 26 rooms and he imported wine and mineral water from France. Medora was an ardent hunter and when not entertaining friends from the East and the Continent, liked to hunt. All the Marquis' enterprises ended in financial failure, so the Marquis and Marquise and their children returned to France. The house was kept up by caretakers and in 1936 it was given to the State of ND. A good portion of the furnishings remained in the house (including the French wine and mineral waters!) and it was interesting to visit. Medora built the St. Mary Catholic Church in Medora, and it is the oldest Catholic Church still being used in North Dakota.

Today we debated about going to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, as it was very cloudy and was threatening rain as you can see from the picture of us by the National Park sign. We went in and spent an hour at the visitor's center and toured the relocated Roosevelt Maltese Cross Cabin. By that time the sun was out and the dark clouds were traded for white fluffy ones. We spent 3 hours driving the 35 mile road, stopping often for pictures such as the one of the Little Missouri River I've included. That one was taken from the ridge of the trail after a short hike to the edge. Jack likes to hang on the edge like a mountain goat. I prefer to stand several feet AWAY from the edge! Got back to the trailer about 2:00, ate a light lunch and then went to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. They kicked us out at 5 when they closed.

The town of Medora is definitely a tourist town; no fast food outlets (Jack's got withdrawals), only one gas station (we just found it today), and tons of souvenir shops, fudge shops, and antique stores. The closest true grocery stores (not convenience stores) are in Beach, 25 miles to the west, and Dickinson which is 30 miles to the east. We still have more to explore, and 3 more days to do it!