Bismarck, ND

The picture of us on the bench was taken in Medora (see last Medora post for all the details) on our way back up the hill from visiting the Chateau's stable and caretaker's cottage. Besides the steep climb, we were also facing a 40 mph "breeze". We had an uneventful trip from Medora to Bismarck, and had no problem finding the KOA campground. Our address?? 39 Lilac Lane. If you know me well, you know I LOVE lilacs. There were large bushes between the sites, giving everyone a bit of privacy.

Sunday we went to breakfast at the first Cracker Barrel we've seen since Missoula, MT! We discovered after breakfast that ND still has blue laws (no sales on Sunday a.m.). Soooo, no boxes of crackers for Jack until Sunday afternoon. We could eat in the restaurant and get fuel, but no other sales are allowed. We went from there to Fort Abraham Lincoln where we had a tour of the reconstructed George Custer home and a portion of the barracks of his 7th Cavalry. On the foot lockers of those who were with him at Little Big Horn, their names, dates, and information about their careers was posted on each locker. Very interesting. From there we went farther into the park and stopped at the Museum and the On-A-Slant Mandan village. Five of the lodges have been rebuilt, but at the height of their population, there would have been lodges for 8 miles on both sides of the Missouri river. A Sioux was the interpreter at the site, and it was interesting hearing about their customs and symbols. Also went to the top of the hill and saw 3 reconstructed block houses. We got back to camp about 4:30. A long day.

Today we woke up to the sound of rain on our roof. It's rained ALL DAY!!! Mary Buchholz (a school friend) came over about 12:00 and treated us to a Chinese dinner and then in the afternoon we drove over to Mandan to see her son Joe Brincks, who was two the last time we saw him. He's 36 now, and the postmaster in a small town about 20 miles from Mandan. On the way back to the trailer, we also drove past the University of Mary, which is run by the Benedictine nuns and priests, and drove past some of Bismarck's McMansions. Tomorrow we will arrive in Iroquois, SD and spend several days with our niece and her husband.