Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Buffalo, Badlands, and a Visit from Officer Paul

Buffalo, Badlands, and a Visit from Officer Paul

Exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park – July 7–8, 2025

Since July 7th, we’ve been exploring the sweeping landscapes and hidden treasures of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, nestled just outside the historic town of Medora, North Dakota.

Our journey from Jamestown to Medora was smooth—good highways, light traffic, and sunshine all the way. Susan took the first shift behind the wheel, and we changed up our usual towing routine by switching who handles the tow vehicle hookup. It’s a small adjustment, but a smart one—you never know when an emergency might happen, and it’s good for both of us to be ready.

We began our first day by exploring Medora itself—a charming Western town with boardwalks, gift shops, and just enough kitsch to keep it interesting. We spent time visiting the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, where we soaked in the legacy of rodeo men and women, along with a moving tribute to the Native Americans who once lived and hunted across these vast plains. It was a glimpse into the soul of the West—gritty, proud, and resilient.

From there, we headed east along I-94 to the Painted Canyon Visitor Center. It was a quick stop to soak in the views and get oriented before our deeper dive into the park. What came next was something we hadn’t planned—but it gave us a good laugh.

The Curious Case of Officer Paul

When we got back to town later that afternoon, we stopped at a little park to give Dakota and Tilly a chance to stretch their legs. That’s when a Medora police truck pulled up, and Officer Paul rolled down his window.

“Mind if I take a look at your dogs?” he asked politely.

“Sure,” we said, a little puzzled.

Turns out, while we were at the visitor center earlier, some kind-hearted passersby had noticed Dakota and Tilly in the truck and, with the best intentions, called the police.

We explained everything: how we’d left the windows rolled down, sun screens on both ends, and parked fully in the shade. The truck was cool, and the dogs were fine—just waiting for their turn to explore. Officer Paul checked them over, confirmed they were perfectly happy, and let us know he still had to file a report “just to be official.”

Needless to say, we all had a good laugh. It's nice to know people are looking out for pets, even if it brings a uniformed visitor to your door.

Office Paul checking on Dakota and Tilly


You will notice how Dakota is paying special attention to Office Paul while he is discussing the serious nature of events that transpired to her.

Into the North Unit: A Land That Changes You

On July 8th, we hit the road early and made the 60-mile drive to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s a long haul—especially in RV terms—so we left Dakota and Tilly back at the rig for the day.

The road out is something else. One thing about North Dakota: it is lonely out there. Just miles and miles of rolling grasslands stretching to the horizon. It’s the kind of empty that makes you quiet inside.

Along the way, we learned that farming in this part of the state is centered around hay and alfalfa—much of it grown for the ranches that dot the land. There’s something almost sacred about the simplicity of life out here. The rhythms are slower. The work is harder. But there’s beauty in the steadiness of it all.

When we finally arrived at the park’s North Unit, the landscape transformed before our eyes. The flat plains gave way to colorful badlands, deep ravines, and towering buttes—each shaped by centuries of wind and water. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel small, but in the best possible way.

The park wasn’t crowded, which added to the sense of peace. We stopped at several overlooks, each one more breathtaking than the last. At one point, we saw our first buffalo—massive, shaggy, and completely indifferent to our presence. It felt like a sacred moment, seeing something so ancient and enduring just a few yards away.

Prairie dogs popped in and out of their mounds like little sentries, and we even spotted a pair of longhorn cattle lounging in the shade of a cottonwood tree. The drive through the park was slow and winding—exactly how we like it. No rush, just the rhythm of the road and the whisper of the wind.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “I never would have been President if it had not been for my experience in North Dakota.” After spending time here, we’re beginning to understand what he meant. This land doesn’t just change your view—it changes you.

Evening Reflections

When we got back to the RV, Dakota and Tilly greeted us like we’d been gone for a week. Well, not exactly—they were mostly just eager to go outside and get a drink of the “good water.”

And honestly? After a full day of park roads, distant horizons, and wandering bison, it did feel like we’d been to another world.

Wed we’ll explore the South Unit, which lies just outside Medora and promises its own kind of beauty. But tonight, we’re grateful for a warm meal, a quiet place to park, and that good kind of tired that only comes from a day fully lived. 

More to come on the South side of the TRNP.




















Safe Travels and journeys 

DaGirls Rv, Gus da Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.


Sunday, July 6, 2025

Travel Day #15 – On the Road Again

Travel Day #15 – On the Road Again

Hard to believe, but it's already Travel Day #15 since we rolled out of Show Low, Arizona. Even more surprising—it's been 46 days since we began this leg of our journey. Time really does fly when you're living life one campground at a time.

We arrived at our latest stop on Saturday, after a relatively short 115-mile drive. Along the way, we made a pit stop to refuel at the T/A Express in Steele, North Dakota—a good place to top off before pressing onward. Diesel was listed at $3.19, with a TSD Open Roads discount down to $3.08. Not a huge discount, but this marks the last Open Roads fueling stop we'll see on the western side of North Dakota. We took on 76 gallons after logging 480 miles since our last fill-up.

One thing we've definitely noticed: the scenery is changing. What started as lush green grass, tree-lined roads, and gently rolling hills has now shifted into vast flatlands and endless stretches of farmland. The contrast is striking—and beautiful in its own quiet, expansive way. The photos we’ve taken along the route really capture this transformation, and we’re excited to share a few with you soon.






About Our Layovers – The RV Parks

Where we stay along the way really depends on the weather. Ever since we left Fox Lake, we've made it a priority to find sites with at least 30 amps, though we always prefer 50 amps—especially when the temperatures start climbing.

A bonus for us is Full Hookups (FHU)—they make it easy to catch up on laundry, cool the coach down with both A/Cs, and enjoy a little more comfort. Our stop in Jamestown was just that: nothing fancy, but it had FHU, friendly neighbors, and easy access to the local area for exploring.

Our explorations to a Re-created Frontier Town, where all the building were donated by the owners.

 In attendance, the Largest buffalo: The sculpture is 26 feet tall and 46 feet long and weighs 60 short tons. It was constructed with stucco and cement around a steel beam frame shaped with wire mesh.

The sculpture is complete in many respects of detail. It is sculptured after a male bison in mid-stride and is anatomically correct.

Jamestown, North Dakota:





Frontier Village & the Largest Buffalo:















Safe Travels and Journeys
DaGirls rv along with Gus Da Bus
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Friday, July 4, 2025

UpDate - Travel Day #13

Quick Update – Jamestown, ND

Today was a travel day—rolling out of Fargo around 8:20 AM and pulling into Jamestown by 10:30. Not bad for a morning on the road. We had the rig set up in just 15 minutes, ramp out for Dakota and all. With full hookups and 50 amps, it’s laundry day and time to crank up both A/C units to cool down Gus.


Once the essentials were handled, we headed out in search of something unique—more on that in the next post. One of the items on the list? A beer. Not a craft brew, but something brewed and sold in North Dakota. No luck on that front… but guess what I did find? A six-pack made in Wisconsin for just $3.99. Can you believe it? Of course, I had to grab it. We’ll see how it tastes later.







Once we arrived back at Gus, we received weather warning and alerts for bad weather:





Ok, that's enough for now:
Safe Travels and Journeys 
DaGirls Rv, Gus da Bus
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me


Thursday, July 3, 2025

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo, North Dakota
Cue the accents, woodchippers, and “You betchas”—or not.

Most folks hear “Fargo” and immediately think of the 1996 crime drama by the Coen brothers. Fargo, the film, is a quirky, dark tale about a desperate car salesman who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife—only for everything to spiral into chaos. Frances McDormand stole the show as the very pregnant police chief, Marge Gunderson. The opening claims it’s a “true story,” but the Coen brothers later admitted the film is purely fiction, though it borrows bits and pieces from real crimes.

But enough about the movie.

Let’s talk about the real Fargo.

We rolled into town on Tuesday with plans to stay three days. Susan tried to snag us a spot for the Fourth of July, but everything was booked. Honestly, that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Instead of battling crowds and fireworks traffic, we’ll continue westward to Jamestown on the 4th.

Our only real challenge here? The weather. It’s hot, it’s humid, and we landed a 30-amp site. For most folks, that’s a dealbreaker for running two A/C units. But they don’t know us. We’ve been around the block (and the campground) more than a few times, and yes—we can run two compressors on 30 amps. Don’t ask how. Just know it involves some faith, finesse, and maybe a little bit of magic.

First Stop: Fargo Air Museum

The Fargo Air Museum was our first real dive into local culture. (And yes, it was blessedly air-conditioned.) This isn’t your typical dusty airplane hangar. Many of the planes are still flight-ready, which added a living history feel to the visit. From WWII warbirds to sleek experimental aircraft, the displays blend storytelling with engineering in a way that kept both of us intrigued. Even I found myself stopping to read the placards—always a good sign.

We were both impressed.
















Next Stop: Downtown Murals & Coffee

From there, we headed downtown to hunt for some of Fargo’s famous murals. The city has embraced public art in a big way, and the colorful murals give the streets a creative, welcoming vibe. 





After a short walk (because remember: heat and humidity), we cooled off with a well-earned cup of coffee and people-watched for a bit before moving on.

You can Learn all about the Hopperstad Stave Church Here - Press here 





Along with the Church is the Hjemkomst Ship

To continue learning - Press here

A Norwegian Surprise on Thursday

Then came a little unexpected treat—(The Sons of Norway - Press Here in Blue). No, not a secret society, but a cultural center and café tucked into town. We stumbled across it and found ourselves welcomed with smiles, the scent of baked goods, and a menu full of Norwegian comfort food. Morning rolls with raisins, traditional meat dishes, and of course—pie. (Because why wouldn’t there be pie?) It was like stepping into a warm, flour-dusted memory of someone’s grandma’s kitchen.

So that’s Fargo: quirky, cultured, and just the right kind of unexpected.














Tomorrow, we head for Jamestown—and maybe a bit more elbow room on the power pedestal.


Safe Journeys and Travels

DaGirls Rv & Gus da Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me


Buffalo, Badlands, and a Visit from Officer Paul

Buffalo, Badlands, and a Visit from Officer Paul Exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park – July 7–8, 2025 Since July 7th, we’ve been expl...