Travel Day 17 to see Rudy, Beata and Henna

Travel Day 17 – Oops! What Happened? (continued)

We were prepped and ready to roll out by 8:00 AM Thursday morning. As usual, we left hooking up the truck for when we reached solid pavement—about a mile up the road from the campground.

Susan was in the pilot’s seat, and I rode shotgun. We merged onto Interstate 94 heading east, and everything felt smooth—until it didn’t.

Oops!

“What was that?” I asked.

Susan frowned. “I don’t know, but I’m pulling over. You’d better check it out.”

Hazards on. We eased over to the shoulder. I jumped out, did a full walk-around, checked the tires—nothing obvious.

Susan crept forward while I walked alongside, eyes and ears alert. Still nothing I could see or hear to pinpoint the problem.

So I took the wheel and merged back onto the interstate.

Nope.

Within seconds, we knew something was definitely wrong. Back to the shoulder again.

Susan remembered a vista pull-off just ahead—about 100 feet up—so we limped forward and tucked safely out of traffic. Time for a more serious investigation.

The noise didn’t seem to be coming from the rear. Both of us suspected the front. So Susan raised each front corner with our onboard jacks while I watched the tires and rims as they lifted. With the wheels off the ground, I was able to spin and shift them.

And just like that, we knew: we weren’t going anywhere. We were going to need a tow.

From there, it was one issue after another.

We both got on the phones—Susan with FRVA roadside assistance, me calling for a tow truck. I found one within a minute: they’d be on the road in 20 and could be with us in under an hour. We were just 8 miles west of Medora and about 40 from Dickinson.

But hold on. FRVA said we needed confirmation from a roadside mechanic before they could authorize a tow. No mechanic, no tow. So scratch that plan.

I could write an entire post about what happened next with FRVA—but trust me, it’s a long story. Let’s just say Susan was on the phone a lot.

We ended up finding our own local mechanic and tow operator. By 3:30 PM, we were at the shop with Roger getting to work on the front wheel. We arranged for new wheel bearings and sleeves to be held at a parts shop nearby, and Roger planned to pick them up. By 7:00 PM, he had the wheel hub off and called it a day.

The plan for the next day: Finish the driver’s side, then move on to reinstalling the drive shaft and inspecting the passenger side.

Being proactive, Susan went back out and picked up another set of bearings and sleeves—just in case we’d need them for the passenger side.

Oh, and where did we sleep that night?

Well… since the jacks were in use to raise the wheels and Roger didn’t have any jack stands, we didn’t spend the night in Gus.

More on that part next time.

Safe Travels and Journeys 

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 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.

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