On the road

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.