Visit Bismarck and Mandan Historical Sites
The Missouri River divides these two cities and the first bridge was built in 1922. We headed to Mandan first to visit Ft Abraham Lincoln State Park ($5 entrance fee). We checked out the campsite which was pretty nice with electricity and water for $20/night. We went to the Visitors centre and then walked to the “On a Slant Indian Village”. The Mandan Indians lived in this area for more than 2 centuries. Meriwether Lewis & William Clark spent their first winter camped near this village and the Mandan’s help them survive their first winter. This is also where Lewis & Clark meet Toussaint Charbonneau, a French Canadian fur trapper and his wife Sacagawea, “Bird Woman” believed to be a Shoshone who traveled with them west.
Partial Reconstructed On-A-Slant Indian
Village
Blockhouse
We drove up the hill to the Infantry Post.
This was dismantled but the block houses were reconstructed on the
site. Other buildings are marked but
weren’t reconstructed. From the block
houses the infantry had 360 views and overlooking the confluence of the Heart
and Missouri Rivers. Lt. Col. George
Custer led the 7th Cavalry to the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876 from
here. The Cavalry post has rebuilt
Barracks, Granary, Commissary and Custer’s House.
Looking over Cavalry Post from
Infantry Post
Looking towards Mandan from Block
House
Custer’s House
Sunflower field beside Fort
North Dakota 164th Infantry Regiment Army National Guard
We drove through Mandan, over the river and back to Bismarck along the
Missouri River to Keel Boat Park where there are Lewis & Clark Riverboat
Sternwheeler Cruises. There is a strange
statue here which looks like eagle heads and their claws. Next we drove to the State Capital grounds;
Bismarck is the capital of N Dakota. 
In front of ND Heritage Centre (closed to maintenance)
Late lunch at Applebee’s. It was just
after 3 pm so it was happy hour, ½ price appys and cheap drinks! Driving through town we stopped at Camp
Hancock Historical Site. The camp is
gone but one original building remains and also on site is a 1909 steam train
retired in the 50’s and an historical church moved to this site. 
Church of the Bread of Life 1880
Old cars parked by a church for wedding
Great way to end the day
Daily Stats:
Today's distance: 60 km
Weather: Cloudy, breezy, light rain then sunny pm; High: 28 degrees; Lo: 20 degrees
Wildlife: Ground squirrel
Campsite: Bismarck KOA
Walking: 4 km
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