Day 69 – Medora, ND to Jamestown, ND

The terrain became gentler as we left the badlands behind.

The Route

Today’s route was another simple one. We continued east on I-94 for 232 miles to Jamestown.

About the Day

We awoke to clear skies, a strong breeze, temperatures in the low-70's, and a pond under the front of the trailer. We had sun until mid-afternoon with a high of 77°. It became mostly cloudy by 3:30pm and there were a few sprinkles.

Getting Going

Waking up was easy. Getting hitched up while avoiding the mud and water, not so much.

The walkways helped us get around ...

… and connect the hitch without standing in water.

Along the Way

I-94 resurfacing provided lots of orange cones and miles of single-lane driving. Fortunately, traffic was light. We had smooth sailing all day. A strong tail wind did wonders for our gas mileage.

I-94 as we left Medora

There were lots of wheat fields

Open range

Lots of corn fields

(Note the cow on the hill)

Salem Sue - the world’s largest Holstein cow

New Salem, ND

Clouds formed as we approached Jamestown.

The Campground

We’re staying at Jamestown Campground just off I-94. It’s dated, but has full hookups, nicely shaded sites and an air conditioned laundry.

Site #27

Tomorrow

We’ll say goodbye to I-94 at Fargo and head into central Minnesota on US-10.

Day 68 – Miles City, MT to Medora, ND

This was a classic out west day … hot, dry, windy and desolate.

The Route

Today’s trip was short and simple. We took I-94 east for 139 miles and stopped in Medora.

Last Night

The evening temperatures dropped nicely. We turned the fans off around midnight and had a good night’s sleep.

About the Day

We awoke to blue sky and temperatures in the low-70’s. It warmed quickly and became hot (91°), dry and windy most of the day. A severe thunderstorm arrived around 7:30pm. Heavy rain and wind lasted about half an hour. Showers and strong wind gusts lasted late into the night … both brought cooler temperatures.

Along the Way

Leaving Miles City …

First Presbyterian Church

I-94 …

Eastern Montana along I-94 is pretty desolate. Glendive is the only city of any size between Miles City and the North Dakota border. The scenery is rugged and the terrain seems to be shaped by children playing in the mud.

This is definitely Big Sky Country

Yellowstone River kept us company

Badlands are rising in the distance

We crossed the Yellowstone River near Fallon

Hello North Dakota

What a contrast with the badlands look.

Approaching Medora

Guess what’s coming?

We checked into the campground, set-up the trailer, and took a driving tour.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park scenes …

The park entrance is in Medora

The park road climbs quickly to overlook Medora

The only bison we saw

We passed six prairie dog towns on the drive and heard lots of barking.

Where are you Charlie?

I think I'll go home.

A prairie dog town

The park covers lots of different territory.

Wild horses

Skyline Vista

Medora …

We returned to the trailer to close windows and then went to the Medora Fudge and Ice Cream Depot for both.

The storm moves in.

The Campground

We’re staying at Red Trail Campground in Medora. It’s OK, but rough around the edges. We have an electric only site, backed up to a mobile home. The storm left a small lake around the trailer door. They brought a shipping pallet for us to stand on. Even though the mobile home is blocking some of the wind, we're still getting buffeted.

Tomorrow

We continue across North Dakota, past Bismarck to Jamestown.

Day 67 – Big Timber, MT to Miles City, MT

This was a hot day in Montana.

The Route

Today’s 218 mile route was simple. We started out on I-90E, continued on I-94 at Billings and ended at Miles City Exit 135.

About the Day

It was sunny with a light breeze as we’ve seen in the past days. The temperature reached 98° degrees.

Along the Way

We probably saw more Airstreams today than on any other. There were four in our campground last night. We saw four at our first gas stop today and another five or six being transported.

The journey displayed western landscape shaped by nature and technology.

 Where are the trees?

I-90 is in very good condition.

Yellowstone River nourishes the farmlands.

We saw buildings and equipment from times long past.

There are at least three large refineries in Billings.

The terrain held our attention.

The Bighorn River sure looked inviting.

Wheat fields stretch for miles.

The Yellowstone River followed us the entire trip.

The view as we approach Miles City.

The Campground

We’re at Miles City KOA. Their campsites are nestled within a stand of 50 huge cottonwood trees. We’re grateful for the cooling effect they provide.

Site #78

Tomorrow

We’re heading for Medora, ND.

Day 66 – Pocatello, ID to Big Timber, MT

We visited Yellowstone National Park on the way to Montana.

The Route

We started out headed for Bozeman and changed plans along the way. A 255 mile trip quickly became 315 miles. We took I-15 north to Idaho Falls, US-20 northeast to West Yellowstone, entered Yellowstone through the West Entrance, drove from Madison to Mammoth Hot Springs, left the park through the North Exit, took US-89 from Gardiner to Livingston and then I-90 to Big Timber.

About the Day

It was sunny with a light breeze and temperatures in the low 90’s. We enjoyed some cooler temperatures as we climbed a few passes.

Along the Way

Leaving Cowboy RV Park 

I-15 started out crossing some pretty flat land and then some cool things appeared.

This “lava blanket” appeared

Up close

Then it disappeared.

The Grand Tetons appeared to the east.

Things got interesting along US-20. There were highway construction delays and some climbs.

Climbing Targhee Pass

Approaching West Yellowstone

We had a delicious lunch at Geyser Grill

Yellowstone scenes …

Though this would become our 4^th Yellowstone visit, we couldn’t pass up a chance to at least see the northwest corner of the park. It shows there’s much more to Yellowstone than geysers.

Along Madison River

Heading toward Gibbon Falls

Norris Geyser Basin Overlook

Nymph Lake

Fumaroles are sometimes barely audible, but sometimes roar as steam rushes upward through narrow vents. During the 1800s, Roaring Mountain was, at times, heard four miles away at Obsidian Cliff. 

Roaring Mountain

Obsidian Cliff

A peaceful mountain meadow

The descent along Mt. Holmes as we continue toward Mammoth Hot Springs is exciting.

Whee!

Yikes!

It feels pretty narrow at times.

But exposes dramatic views.

Mammoth Hot Springs - Main Terrace

This fellow shows no interest in geysers

Heading down to the North Exit

Entering Gardiner

Roosevelt Arch

Montana scenes …

We followed the Yellowstone River and the Gallatin Range to Livingston.

Ramshorn Peak

Commercial bison herd

I-90 east of Livingston

Travel Trivia

Yesterday we mentioned crossing paths with previous trip experiences suggesting that it happened occasionally. Well, it happened again today. We made a mid-trip route change and had to pick a new stopping point. The light flicked on as we approached Big Timber KOA … we stayed there on August 26, 2015. Lots of stops are getting hard to keep straight.

The Campground

We’re staying in Site #64 at Big Timber KOA … just two sites away from where we were last year.

Tomorrow

We’re heading for Miles City, MT.