Day two of driving, but only 160 miles from Wolf Point, Montana to Medora, North Dakota. We left early so that we might get a good campsite at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit. The campgrounds are first-come, first-served, so it was key for us to time the arrival after most people left, but before the others arrived. We nailed it, and had many sites to choose from in the Cottonwood Campground. Site 12, amidst the yellow sweetclover, boxelder and juniper groves, close to the Little Missouri River and with a great view of the North Dakota badlands, was the best camp of the trip so far. It was also going to be our biggest test in terms of dry camping (five nights worth). If we needed to clear the holding tanks, fill up on water or recharge the batteries, it would be a complicated matter – hitch back up, circle back into Medora about 12 miles away, plug in, reload, drive back and re-set the campsite.

After camp was set, we went into Medora for dinner at Boots Bar & Grill. It was the one place that looked most like a biker bar, had a full parking lot (of dualies and Harleys) and live music flowing through the windows. The bar area was packed and loud, so we migrated to the back room which was empty…seriously empty. The lights were off and no silverware was on the tables, but a waitress did eventually show up to take care of us. Among other things, the band played an extended and twangy country-western cover of “Purple Rain” without the least bit of irony and we heard several folks singing along. It was a good time kind of joint.

Asher and I made a fire, as smoky as possible, to stave off the mosquitos and miscellaneous flying bugs.

As a side note to the travel, North Dakota became the 49th state I’ve visited. Only Alaska remains….