Off we go to the big great
north. First night was near the Mall of
America. Walked all 4 floors and bought
a pair of tennis shoes and things in the Dollar Store. We're not big shoppers but it was
entertaining to see all the different stores and people. Oh yah, Randy did buy an ice cream cone. He loves his "treats". Saw Chris Harrison from The Bachelor and other shows at his book signing. Stayed in a casino parking lot for free. We
aren't gamblers but we do love their camping options at casinos all over the
USA. Usually free and if you go inside and register for a Players Card you get
free money to play and discount or 2 for 1 buffet or food. So we don't pay for camping and they give us
food. Great deal for us!
Our first goal is to be in North
Dakota so we can put it on our travel map.
We have a map of North America and put little stickers on it for every
state we have stayed overnight in since we have traveled in this RV. North Dakota and Washington are the only
blanks in the West. We have the Eastern
coastline of the US to "sticker" but we have both been to them all in
the past. We will also "sticker" a few providences in Canada this
summer. Trying to come up with a plan on
how to achieve Hawaii??? Would it count to remove the RV steering wheel and
take it with? Just thinking……
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
in Western North Dakota is like a mini Badlands of South Dakota. Except more
wildlife and less people. Beautiful area
with rock formations, grassy fields, and oil wells. Just south of the now booming oil well
development. As you travel north to the
northern entrance to Theodore Roosevelt NP you see the oil rigs pumping,
trucks, semis, and fuel stations with entire grocery stores and restaurants
attached. All new developments in the
past few years, but none affecting the NP.
We stayed at Cottonwood NP campground, within the park. They have a few sites on the pavement near
the entrance for Big Rigs like ours but other possibilities pending low
branches would fit us. Dry camping (no
electric, no water, and no sewer) but a beautiful area to camp in the quiet
beauty of the National Park (NP). Flying
J/Pilot station west of the NP before you get to Montana and no stops until you
hit a big city.
Our scheduled rally for the Beaver Ambassador Club begins
and we are the rally masters. This means
that other people that own a Beaver motor home, as we do, get together to
explore an area and have fun/food together.
We had planned for 20 coaches and 7 officially attend. I was initially bummed that we had such a
small number but it all worked out for a great time and great way to get to
know other couples. We dined at a local
restaurant, The Montana Club. Had a
wonderful time in their banquet room. We
toured the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center showing the history of Lewis
& Clark discovering the Great Falls area and their travels with Sacagawea
(sp?). Just down the road is the Fish Hatchery and the Roe River (Guinness Book
of World Record, shortest river). Beautiful
area with magnificent falls and drives to get there. We picnicked in the park by the Great
Falls/Ryan Dam and even walked on the swinging bridge. Did I say how much I don't like heights let
alone, moving heights?? But I made it
unscathed!!! Last we had a Historic
Trolley Tour of Great Falls and got lots of information on the beginnings and
current history of Great Falls.
Huckleberry Capital and we enjoyed jams, syrups, chocolates, and candy
all in Huckleberry flavor. Mmmmm. We
stayed at Dick's RV Resort in Great Falls.
It's like a great campground that suddenly had a city build up around
it. Yes, there are planes and trains and
traffic, but great sites and great staff.
We used their meeting room for get together and really enjoyed the
stay. 6 coaches continued onto our next
rally near Calgary and across the Canadian border. No troubles at the
Sweetgrass Montana crossing for all 6! 
