I was so happy to move from a roadside pullout to a gorgeous National Forest Campground with a private beach after having a blast at a grocery store opening in a nearby town.
After a long day driving from the Cheyenne National Grasslands, running errands in Fargo, ND, and almost getting stuck in the forest, I camped on the side of the highway.
As I was heading out of the Sheyenne National Grasslands, a church steeple caught my eye, and when I saw an unusual grave marker, I had to turn around and check it out.
A night in the Sheyenne National Grasslands was just what I needed - a little time in nature and a hike through tallgrass prairies and woodlands. Spectacular.
Visiting Pipestone National Monument is an amazing experience. For generations, Native Americans have quarried the Redstone here to make pipes, and they still do today.
After a meaningful trek to Pipestone National Monument, I popped into Brookings, SD, to pick up a partial Amazon delivery and then found a little town to spend a few days working.
On my way to Vermilion, SD, to deal with Internet challenges, I had to cross the Missouri River. I thought the overlook was a quick place for a photo, but it had a nature trail too.
After a call to T-Mobile and being directed to head to a T-Mobile store in Vermillion, I ended up having to drive to Sioux Falls to find a T-Mobile corporate store for help.
Dropped into a boat ramp for the night so that I could spend at least one night next to the Missouri river, but had a bit of a hot day waiting for the cool evening.
A very cool welcome, sign stand along the side of the road as you roll into Wausa, NE. Sadly, the T-Mobile connection sucked and the restaurant with barbecue closed early!
An unexpected hidden gem of a national historic site! Like all sites in the national Park system this one is unbelievably well done and even has a full-time blacksmith.
After a fantastic dinner and engaging conversation with Annika (and playing with Hugo!), I found a high bluff to connect to the Internet and spend the night.
Hiking the Pawnee Buttes Trail was the first hike on this leg of my wanderings, and it held an unexpected and wonderful surprise at the end with a dinner invitation and new friends!
