86.4 miles, 16.0 mph, Odometer: 1604 – west of Streeter, ND to Fort Ransom State Park, ND
KEVIN – My last full day in North Dakota was more efficient and unremarkable until the final two miles on gravel road into the Little Yellowstone valley to the campground. During the day, I passed this sign for the Continental Divide at 1490 feet. We previously crossed it at Marias Pass in Montana, elevation 5213 feet.
“Triple Divide Peak in Glacier National Park, Montana, is the point where two of the principal continental divides in North America converge, the primary Continental Divide and the Northern or Laurentian Divide. From this point, waters flow to the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Mexico, and the Arctic Ocean via Hudson Bay. Most geographers, geologists, meteorologists, and oceanographers consider this point the hydrological apex of North America, as Hudson Bay is generally considered part of the Arctic.” (From Wikipedia, “Continental Divide of the Americas”)
SUZI – I followed Kevin for awhile to give him breaks along the way, there being virtually no places to take a break indoors. After we split to meet later at the campground, I checked out this cabin along the gravel road. I keep trying to imagine my grandmother’s life in Dakota Territory, though I don’t know exactly where her family lived.
Central North Dakota is beautiful farm and ranch land. It’s lovely to drive the local highway instead of the Interstate. I guess that could be said of most places in the United States. Springtime means that I’ve been distracted by all the calves, foals, lambs, as well as innumerable birds in the fields and wetlands all around me. This morning I watched a coyote cross the road and race through a wheat stubble field. As we approach Minnesota, ponds and lakes puncture the land so thoroughly that the road rarely veers around them. Instead, dykes provide a surface for the orderly east/west lanes, and even the power poles run right through the water.
Fort Ransom State Park Campground meant a quiet lawn and warm (not hot!!) shower, so the bathroom only gets 3 stars in our rating system. In addition to camp sites, the park rents out one old farmhouse, one tiny cabin, and this reproduction covered wagon with comfy beds for four people and air conditioning. I chatted with the family from Bismark who were renting the wagon for the holiday weekend. Actually, two covered wagons in this photo.
Cycling with Kevin & Suzi 