Day 17 - Travel Day to Bismarck, North Dakota

Lewis and Clark Adventure, day 17:

            Today is a travel day from the beautiful Oahe Downstream State Park in Pierre SD, pronounced “Pier” we quickly learned, to Bismarck ND.  Our route will take us on back roads paralleling the “Big Muddy” Missouri River.

Jimmy is hooking up the car 

for departure at 8:30 a.m.

           

The "Big Muddy" Missouri River

Nothing happened here!

Our first turn out was for a nice granite monument pointing out that absolutely nothing happened here in 1804.  We then drove north through grassy prairie, wheat and rice fields dotted with large silos.

Next we stopped in a large parking lot, disconnected the car and drove to the monuments of Sacajawea, Sakakawea, or Sacagawea (you pick the preferred spelling)  the Shoshone Indian girl that acted as guide and interpreter for Captains Lewis and Clark.  Not far from her monument was a stone bust of Chief Sitting Bull, both overlooking the river.

Sacajawea Monument

From there it was rolling hills and seas of beautiful grass and grain to the Bismarck KOA.  The Wagonmaster then treated all of us to pizza and beer.  What a beautiful day, it just doesn’t get any better than this!

Crossing the Missouri River

Ava and Jimmy Ray , Rig #18 with Chief Sitting Bull