June 8 – Medora, ND

The National Cowboy Hall of Fame tells the stories of cowboys, ranchers, pioneers and Indians that made North Dakota their home.  Rodeo evolved from skills necessary for cattle ranching.  We enjoyed explanations of rodeo events and seeing the gear that the cowboys used and the prizes that they won.    

North Dakota experienced several land rushes when homesteaders came from around the world to claim their free land.  In 1841, 1862 and in 1873 Congress offered land in exchange for back breaking labor, building shelter, planting crops and staying five years.  Second sons from countries like Great Britain and Norway considered this a good deal.  North Dakota became a prosperous wheat producing region - 27, 000 farms harvesting 40 million barrels annually.  By 1915 another 250,000 settlers came seeking the “farmers last frontier”.  The Golden Age of Agriculture satisfied the demand for farm products as more people moved to the cities.

June 7 – Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND

The Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in northwest North Dakota, is made up of three ranches owned by TR in the 1880s.  He found the “strenuous life” a good contrast to life in New York City.  It was here that he mourned the loss of his wife and mother.  TR came to hunt buffalo and found them nearly extinct.  Here began the roots of his later environmental efforts.

The Maltese Cross Cabin was his first home in the area. It has been moved to the entry area of the National Park.

We followed the scenic loop of the South Unit of the park.  The prairie dog sentry alerted the town of our coming.  Above the prairie dog town there were bison grazing on the hill.  As we traveled through the badland scenery we spotted many bison; some singles and some in groups.  It looked like the men’s club at the base of a cliff where seven were loitering.  I’m not sure who was more entertained on our ride through the park; us spotting wildlife or them watching me pop out through the sunroof to take a picture.

The wild horses were beautiful grazing on the prairie. They are similar to Indian ponies, 14 hands high and stocky.

June 7 – Medora, ND

The town of Medora is a tourist destination in northwest ND.  What was once a cattle town has become a mecca for visitors looking for a taste of the cowboy life.  Our experience began at the Pitchfork Fondue on a bluff overlooking the town. Pitchforks were loaded with steaks then plunged into hot oil.  The steaks were delicious and served with beans, potatoes and veggies.  Dinner was served in a partially covered pavilion at picnic tables.

We moved to the nearby theater in anticipation of the Medora Musical a high-spirited song and dance revue telling the story of frontier life. Unfortunately as we were seated in the outdoor amphitheater the gray clouds turned to rain. Plastic ponchos were in high demand as we waited out the inclement weather.  Mother Nature prevailed and the performance was cancelled.  Maybe next time...