Wednesday 4 September 2013

Day 105 Travel Bismarck, ND to Minot, ND

Sun., Sept. 1

Travel Bismarck to Minot, ND

North of Bismarck are rolling prairies, hay, corn and sunflower fields even a windmill farm.  We visited another Lewis & Clark Interpretive Centre at Fort Mandan.  This fort was built across the river from the Mandan Indian Village and just completed on Dec. 24, 1804 and the expedition lives in it until April 1805 when they head west. The camp had 44 men and in the spring about 33 headed west with Seaman, Lewis’ Newfoundlander dog.  Jeff, the interpreter did an excellent job of explaining details of the camp.  A lead canister was filled with gun powder and plugged with wax weighing approx. 12 lb. each. When needed they would be unplugged and the lead made into musket balls with enough gunpowder.   
Seaman, Lewis’ dog
Ft Entrance
Lewis & Clark Quarters
12 lb lead canister filled with gun powder
Then we passed something strange, a bridge over the highway with what appeared to be a conveyor belt heading for a plant in the distance. A sign Coal Creek Stn Power Plant, Fallkirk Mining Co gave us our clue.  We stopped at the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge but it was closed so we just walked around the building and peeked in the windows. 
Just up the highway a causeway divides Lake Audubon from Lake Sacagawea.  Lots of people out fishing.  Not too far away Minot, a growing city of 40,000 possibly due to the oil industry booming.  Our campsite was half full of worker guys.  The campsite had new spots graded then rocks on top to make new sites.  The oxbow by the campsite was blocked off so it was covered in algae.
Diner in Minot, must be good lots of cars.
New part of campsite 
Daily Stats: 
Today's distance:  349 km
Diesel:  $3.819 Bismarck with $.08 off coupon from KOA
Wildlife: Harrier Hawk & Red Tailed Hawk, Bee Hives
Campsite:  Roughrider Campground $40 w/e; new showers & laundry otherwise ???
Walking: 2 km

 Note:  In 1837 the white man brought small pox without knowing it to the Indians which wiped out most villages.

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