It was with great anticipation that we signed up in January 2023 for the Alpine Association rally to Hudson Bay, Canada. Tom Polk, the host and our fearless leader of several previous rallies, called it his Bucket List Adventure and opened it up to 20 coaches. Within a week, the rally was filled. We were on the list.
The plan is for all 20 coaches to meet up in Casselton, North Dakota by the start of the rally on July 15th.
We headed out of Anacortes late on Friday afternoon, July 7th, following the leisurely travel plan that Michael organized. Our first stop was a short distance south to the Tulalip Casino in Marysville where we would spend the night in the RV section so that we could get a head start the next morning for the drive through the congested towns and cities.
We treated ourselves to dinner at the Casino.
The next day, we traveled to Moses Lake in eastern Washington where it was 100°F. We were thankful for the tree on our site that provided some shade.
Our next stop was St Regis, Montana, where it was also in the 90s. The Nugget RV Resort has a rustic, old-time feel to it, with a log cabin office and a few props reminiscent of the old mining days scattered throughout the park.  |
| we are in cowboy country |
We went for a stroll later in the day along the trails in the park and to see the exhibits. I laughed when I read the sign on the outhouse: For photographs only. |
| a mining camp hotel |
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| how about a chuck wagon dinner tonight? |
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| our campsite |
Thankfully our next stop in Cardwell, Montana, was slightly cooler and it also rained that evening. The RV Park is in the middle of nowhere, but it does have a well-stocked General Store with a gift shop and an ice-cream shop. We indulged on yet another hot travel day.
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| Ye olde sweet and icecream shop in Cardwell at the RV Park |
The next morning we were back on the highway early. The scenery was pretty, lush and green as we wound our way between mountain folds, then entered a plateau where ranchers and farmers set their roots in this vast hinterland. A slight elevation gain followed a descent to yet another plateau, buttes and the types of bluffs the Indians used to chase bison over the edge during their hunts. Eventually we caught sight of the Yellowstone River and pulled in at the first KOA (Kampground of America RV park)built in1962, same year as the Seattle World's Fair. These KOAs built across the country were designed to be spaced a day's distance apart as incentive for folks to drive to Seattle to the Fair.Later we took a short stroll to the Yellowstone River that flows right past the park, took a photo of my explorer to mark the occasion and picture what it was like when Lewis and Clark and their Expedition Party made their way through here.
The next day we made a short stop at Pompeys Pillar National Monument on our way to our next stop in Miles City, Montana. We didn't get to visit this monument on our previous Lewis-and-Clark-were-here trip but this time it was conveniently on the way. The Lewis and Clark expedition is a fascinating story of accomplishment and endurance and always interesting to revisit. This is the place where Clark etched his name into the sandstone outcropping that the Indians used for generations as an observation outcrop and where they also carved their drawings. We trudged up the 100 steps to the very top where Clark looked out on to the vast plains extending to the horizon and where, as he noted in his diary on July 25, 1806, he saw immense herds of buffalo, elk, and wolves.
We didn't see any wildlife, but we did see the Yellowstone River and farmlands spread out like quilt blocks into the distance. It was worth the 100-step trudge, both up then down again.
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| the Yellowstone snaking its way through |
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| view to the horizon |
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| farmlands |
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| and more farmlands |
Clark's signature is behind glass to preserve it from erosion and was not very visible in the glare of the morning sun. We read the information boards, watched two interesting movies, saw the displays in the Visitor Center and continued on.
We encountered more than the usual one-lane road construction along this stretch though it did not affect our trip. The landscape was flat to the horizon ahead.
Thursday morning, we took our time to prepare for travel. The next RV Park was strict about their check-in time so it gave Michael an opportunity to take a look at the new StarLink device he got for better internet coverage while traveling. He figured out how best to position the device and the router. We will test it out soon.
Today we crossed into North Dakota after 4 days of travel through Montana. No wonder Montana is known as the Big Sky state - it goes on forever!
We drove through miles of endless flat grasslands, a perfect region for the bison that once inhabited this terrain. The Badlands with their interesting rock formations began to appear in sections to the north. It was a gusty day, the grasses along the side of the road were swaying and the cattle seemed to huddle together with their backs to the wind. I imagine that the wind always whips across these vast open plains. We followed the Yellowstone and could see it meandering its way across the plains.
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| the Yellowstone River |
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| more road construction |
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| Badland formations in the distance |
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| miles of corn fields |
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| cattle huddled together against the wind |
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| lush and green landscape |
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| approaching more Badland formations |
It felt hot and humid by the time we pulled in at Medora Campground in Medora, North Dakota.
We took a stroll into town across the Little Missouri River and circled back again, accompanied by dozens of jumping grasshoppers the entire way. We read the boards about the origins of the town founded by the Marquis De Mores and saw the brick smokestack on the site of the packing plant built by the Marquis in 1883 to supply beef directly from the western ranges. It was successfully operated until a fire destroyed it in 1907. This is also the area where Theodore Roosevelt spent time and ran two ranches. The Roosevelt National Park is close by and we will visit it on our return trip with our rally group.
There were two other Alpines in the park, the Mayfields and Matthews, also on their way to Casselton for the rally. We had a combined dinner with them then dashed back to our Alpine when large drops began falling when a storm suddenly blew in. The storm ended just as suddenly, and I noticed a huge rainbow.
We left smartly the next morning, thankful that it felt a lot cooler. The road ahead continued to be straight and flat as we passed mile after mile of green fields - grass, corn, wheat - and occasionally bright yellow sections of blooming rapeseed. A grey haze followed us, from the fires in Canada, creating an
unhealthy air quality today.
It was a smooth and uneventful trip, the kind I like. We lost another hour today as we crossed into the Central Time Zone. After we arrived and set up at the KOA in Bismarck, North Dakota, we went off in search of Fort Mandan and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center located in Washburn, a few miles away.
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| approaching the Casselton exit |
The next morning, we continued on the last leg of the journey. 1,500 miles and a week later, we arrived in Casselton, North Dakota to join the other Alpine Association folks who will be on this exciting journey to Hudson Bay, Canada. We will be a convoy of twenty motor homes traveling together for the next 33 days.But first, we will all be exploring the Fargo area. After nine days of daily travel, it will be a welcome change to stay in one spot for several days.
That evening, we gathered for our first Happy Hour and meal with the group at Governor's Pub.
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Vic&Willy, Sheila&Gene, T&M, in the booth behind us are Scott&Joyce with
Marissa&Jeff, Ed&Terry, Helena, Greg&Janet, Rick&Judy
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Our next stop was St Regis, Montana, where it was also in the 90s. The Nugget RV Resort has a rustic, old-time feel to it, with a log cabin office and a few props reminiscent of the old mining days scattered throughout the park. 
