The Old Avion is heading for the Dakotas - advice?

[67avion]

Jane and I, along with our blue eyed, Aussie Shepherd, Hula the Wonder Dog, are heading out this week end for the Dakotas by way of Iowa and Nebraska. Our interest is in visiting the Lakota Indian Reservation near Standing Rock, North Dakota, where there has been the largest gathering of tribes in decades to oppose an oil pipeline under the Missouri.

I'm a former news photographer and Jane is an anthropologist, so our TC trips often reflect our life - long curiosities.

But, we also plan on camping at the Merritt Reservoir in Nebraska, and traveling up to Custer State Park where we can observe the Buffalo roundup. We have reservations in Blue Bell for a campsite. Last one available, so it look like its crowded up there. Then its up to Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore.

If anyone has advice about the region we're visiting, we'd sure appreciate hearing from you.

[GoinThisAway]

Now I feel lucky that when I lost one of my duals on a camping trip a couple years ago it only tore up the wheel well liner and fender. After limping down the road to where the tire could be changed I was back on my way again.

You paint a beautiful image of the bison roundup with your words. I look forward to seeing the pictures 🙂

[67avion]

We're camped tonight at Custer State Park, S.D. The weather has been spectacular with cobalt blue skies, 70 degrees during the day and light winds. It's on the edge of Fall with bright yellow leaves mixed with ruddy reds. We go to the buffalo round up at dawn tomorrow. What a sight that will be with whooping Cowboys and thousands of lumbering Bison...clouds of dust in the morning sun!

[jimh406]

I didn't have any inside knowledge of what the tire flat might involve. 🙂 I hope you worked out the tire change. Sorry, you had an issue.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

I'll give a resounding "ditto" to realter's Ponca State Park. Beautiful place, nice facilities.

Enjoy your trip.

[realter]

My worst nightmare out on the road. I haven't changed a tire in over 40 years. Best wishes for a good trip the rest of the way.

[67avion]

Jim, thanks for the "good luck" on the tire repair. I'm not going to ask you how you know I needed good luck. Yes, the tire tore out the back wheel well and yes, it took us the rest of the day to go to town and buy a new tire because yes, the spare was jammed from the damage to the wheel well and yes, our running lights are knocked out.

But no, we are not worried. It's dawn and when the sun comes up and I can drive without running lights (careful with my lack of turning lights and brake lights) we'll be in the driveway of the nearest rv repair shop. Jane has taken Hula the Wonder Dog on some long walks, and I have been careful not to raid the fridge for adult beverages. Otherwise I'd be blotto at this stage of things.

[jimh406]

Good luck with the tire repair!

[monkey44]

GoinThisAway wrote:
My advice ... enjoy! And while you're in the area, it would be interesting to see how low fuel prices have affected the land and people in ND. It wasn't so long ago that we were hearing stories about how a "fracking" boom was affecting Williston and other parts of the area. I recall reading how the Theodore Roosevelt National Park was working to protect the viewscape and soundscape from well development just outside its border. I expect things have changed substantially there in recent years but we're not hearing this story in the press.

Yes, in June we saw some drilling on lands surrounding TRNP - but it did not seem particularly invasive visually. At least not any more than other states that operate in the oil industry. I'm not sure how it directly effects the underground water tables or the wilderness areas.

It happened so coincidentally it was hard to believe, but we sat next to a "retired legislator" for N Dakota at breakfast, and began chatting ... he explained the environmental impact, or lack of it, in such detail and with such enthusiasm that after about ten minutes or so I began to doubt him completely. In his view, there was no downside to it - that's what turned me off to it. There is always a mix of good and bad anytime we invade nature ... JMHO

[67avion]

Heh. We're on the side of the road with a blow out so Jane took Hula for a long walk. Beautiful fall day with the Illinois harvest going full blast on a Sunday. Amazingly road service is on its way within minutes. If we don't have issues dropping the spare tire, we'll be on our way shortly, it appears. Of course there's many a slip between the cup and the lip. So, we'll see.

[GoinThisAway]

My advice ... enjoy! And while you're in the area, it would be interesting to see how low fuel prices have affected the land and people in ND. It wasn't so long ago that we were hearing stories about how a "fracking" boom was affecting Williston and other parts of the area. I recall reading how the Theodore Roosevelt National Park was working to protect the viewscape and soundscape from well development just outside its border. I expect things have changed substantially there in recent years but we're not hearing this story in the press.

[Big_Rig1]

We just came thru the Standing Rock Reservation a few weeks ago on our way home & we had to detour because of the Indian protest. The Highway Patrol recommended that we not continue on the road because it could be unsafe. They said we could continue if we absolutely wanted to but they advised against it because there was no guarantee we would be safe. We opted to stay safe, didn't need to be in the middle of something we had no control over.
If you get to the New Town, ND area, there is a nice Three Tribes Museum there that tells the history of the people in that area. There is also a nice Lewis & Clark Interpretive center near Washburn, ND with a re-constructed Ft Mandan just up the road. One ticket lets you into both of them. The Fort is by the river & has a nice view. You can camp for free at both sites, no hookups though.

Big Rig (John)

[67avion]

Well, it look like Jane, Hula and I need to post a Trip Report. I'll see if I can make some photos of the buffalo round - up if we get there in time. Also the Indian encampment at Standing Rock. One never knows what the road will bring.

That's why we travel in a truck camper. We go anywhere at any time.

Meanwhile, thanks to DE Bishop for the wise words, NYCsteve for Sylvan Lake and the Sunday Gulch Trail and the info that the park is dog friendly, O6Fargo for encouraging a TR, Gritdog about Mt Rushmore at night, ReneeG for he kind words and advice to go to Rushmore Cave and Wind Cave, Jimh425 for warning about the expansion joints. Is that because of the cold winters?, Gbopp for keeping on smiling, realter for the kind invitation.

We leave in about 12 hours. Meanwhile I'm cooking my favorite road food, spicy chicken curry with my home grown Thai peppers. I managed to build a bonfire in TCM's Gordon White's belly at the East Coast TC Rally with my curry. Jane said she heard Gordon say he liked it. But, I can't always make out what people are saying when they're crying.

So, if we invite you to have a meal, you've been forewarned 😉

[D_E_Bishop]

I would love to visit the gathering. Heck, I'd love to be on the road. You seem to be going well prepared and relaxed. Only suggestion, spend lots of time there and give lots of attention to the two who are with you.

I too am waiting for the reports including those photos you'll take.

[nycsteve]

One of my best trips was to the Black Hills area. Custer SP is a standout. Sylvan Lake is spectacular . There is a hiking trail near the lake called Sunday Gulch trail which was memorable. The park is dog friendly. The wildlife loop in early morning is worth an early rise. The 2 scenic drives, Iron an and Needles are excellent but difficult with the TC on.
We also stopped at Badlands Nat Park,not that far away, wish we could have stayed longer,unique.
Enjoy!