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Sep 7:  Lewiston, ID to Pomeroy, WA

We're entering the last stage of the trip!!  Only 8 days left after today with a scheduled completion date of Sep 15th.

To start we decided on a really short day (~35 route miles) to line us up for the best camping options in the next few days.  Today was a good example that short does not always mean easy.  Out of Lewiston/Clarkston was the largest single hill ascent we've done to date.  This was not the steepest we've seen but it sure felt like it was never going to end.  Road conditions were decent although a little smoother and more consistent shoulder would have been appreciated.  Weather was partially cloudy and warmer than yesterday with slight winds. 

Camped at Garfield County Fairgrounds Campground.  $15.

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Aug 10: Dickinson to Medora, ND

Weather was hot but mileage was pretty low.  We were all a bit nervous since our route was taking us onto a ten mile stretch of Interstate 94.  This turned into a non-issue since there was inactive road construction for most of this stretch with the right hand lane closed to vehicles (non-bicyclists).  We had more room than on most of the country roads.  The ride was mostly downhill for a change and the views were spectacular as we entered the North Dakota Badlands.

Camped at Theodore Roosevelt National Park: $14 split 

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Aug 9: Glen Ullin to Dickinson, ND

Most of us successfully avoided the storms by hiding out in one of the three small towns our route took us through today.  At least all of the towns had somewhere to get food and/or drink.  Jodee was delayed trying to find parmesan in the store so she did get some of the torrential rains on the way to camp.  The ride itself was pleasant enough although mainly farm and ranch views.

Camped at Patterson Lake Recreational Area.  The lack of sufficient water sources and bathrooms meant we had to ride our bike everywhere. The trains going through in the middle of the night AGAIN was just icing on the cake. $16 split.

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Aug 8: Bismarck to Glen Ullin, ND

Finally a day where we successfully avoided the rain.  We parted a bit from the official route since the route took us on the interstate and there was a road we could take to avoid it.  The alternate was a gravel road but only the first bit was a bit squirrelly. We got our first taste of the badlands so the views along this route were fantastic.

Camped at Glen Ullin Memorial Park: $6

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Aug 7: Bismarck, ND (rest day)

Spent the morning relaxing in our fantastic campsite enjoying the quiet.  Packed up and moved to a different site since all of the good ones were previously reserved for the weekend.  This meant some unexpected entertainment moving all of our stuff in bicycles without having to pack everything up.  Spent the afternoon in town, seeing the state capitol and visiting the Heritage Museum.  The museum was very well put together and free, which was a bonus.  The museum guide was amazingly helpful and gave us some note worthy tales of local importance.  I'm sure some of them will end up in the longer blog.  We ended the evening eating at a burger and beer joint then riding the 5 miles back to camp.

Camped again at General Sibley Park. $10 per tent. No electricity or view.

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Aug 6:  Hazleton to Bismarck, ND

Got an early pack-up to avoid getting the tent wet from the first wave of storms.  This did not translate to an early start due to weather.  Started out in some heavy rain but the race was on to beat the next wave of thunderstorms.  Rain we can live with since everything is pretty well protected but thunderstorms are not pleasant when you have shelter, let alone riding in the open plains of North Dakota.  We both made it to Bismarck relatively unscathed but definitely wet and cold.  The route was reasonably pleasant with the exception of a ten mile or so stretch of absolutely horrendous road surface.

Camped at General Sibley Park in a site with a fantastic view of the Missouri River. $22 included electricity, site cost split with Beth and John, our fellow cyclists.

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Aug 5: Gackle to Hazleton, ND

Raced in the morning to try and beat predicted thunderstorms to Napoleon, ND  which was the only other city on the route.  The storms turned into just rain, which is good since we were just not fast enough or took too long to pack.  Continued onto Hazleton with some very scenic lakes and hilly farmland.  The cooler temperatures even with the rain along with more interesting scenery made for some much improved moods.

Camped at city park campground in Hazleton, which had a plethora of entertainment for those inclined (bouncy animals, play shovel, slides, horseshoes and the ubiquitous swings). We were joined by John and Beth, our favorite english pair, along with two other fellow cyclists going the other direction, Gary and Boyd.  $10


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Aug 4:  Little Yellowstone Park to Gackle, ND

Hot, hot and hotter.  Wind was less than it has been and mainly a cross breeze only.  There were ZERO places for food and/or beverage on the route today so resources needed to be conserved.  The route today was one road that was straight and I mean ruler straight and everything was flat. This equated to a very uneventful ride.

Stayed at the Honey Hub Bicycle Oasis which is a donation only location in the back of a very friendly family's home.  Showers and laundry facility was available along with some honey based snacks.  Cost: Our Secret.

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Aug 3: Fargo to Little Yellowstone Park, ND

Late start due to chatting with our host for the night and a missed turn which became a stop at McD's for iced coffee ( FYI, they don't have just black iced coffee).  The route was long (72+ miles), hot and the scenery was predictable.  We spent considerable time on a highway which was not conducive to pleasant biking.  The day ended at a type of oasis, which in this area of North Dakota meant hills and trees.  We did meet up with a couple from England traveling across the continent on their way to Vancouver so it was nice to have some fellow travelers going our direction for a change.

Camped at Little Yellowstone Park which was quasi primitive meaning no showers and only pit toilets but had electrical hookups. $10 

Jul 26: Cumberland WI to St Croix Falls WI

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Miles planned - route: 57.0 (to Osceola, route does not go thru St Croix Falls)

Miles actual - Heather/Jodee: 44.7/67.4

Miles cumulative to date - Heather/Jodee: 

Off route day. Heather takes short cut to get to bike shop before it shuts. Jodee takes gravel bike trail recommended by cyclist in Subway from Amery to St Croix, skipping the planned route through Osceola. Interstate Park is phenomenal - view of St Croix river.  We're now on border with Minnesota.

Interstate Park at St Croix Falls (bordering MN): $15 in south side for primitive site with rusty water. Quiet night.