On the 4th of July my wife and I set off from Tucson to Bottineau, North Dakota to help my sister-in-law babysit her three grandchildren, 4, 2 and 1. We drove up Arizona, through Monument Valley to spend our first night in Moab, Utah. The next night was spent in Casper, Wyoming, and our third and fourth nights in Madora, North Dakota so we could visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The drive up through Montana was through some of the worst rain we've ever been out in. TRNP was interesting, but not, we thought, spectacular. We did see some Bison, and the Prairie Dog towns were interesting, the little animals were not too bothered by a car, but disapeard very quickly for a person. We looked at the south unit, then on day five we looked at the north unit, then headed for Bottineau, North Dakota, where my sister-in-law and her husband live.The next two weeks were spent looking after three lively little kids, with outings to photo sunsets and canola fields. When we left to come home, we spent the first night at Wall, South Dakota, and next day drove through Badlands National Park. On the way to Hot Springs, South Dakota to visit Wind Cave National Park, we ran in to a hail storm, which took out the windshield, rear passenger window and left a LOT of large dents in the hood and roof. It took from Tuesday evening to Friday before we could get the windshield and window fixed so we could carry on home. The gentleman who fixed the car gave us a loaner, so we could visit Windcave NP while we waited. We left Hot Springs on Saturday morning, spending the night in Bernalillo, New Mexico, as Fanta Fe was full. This worked out well, as we got to visit Kaktus Brewing Company, great people, great beer and Great Pizza. We arrived home the next afternoon after beeing away for just about four weeks, the cats were pleased to see us!
Utah
Heading east from Moab along the Columbia River
Theodore Roosevelt's home, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Little Missouri River
Little Missouri River
Bar, Madora, North Dakota
Canola Fields, North Dakota
Bottineau, North Dakota
Barn, Long Lake, Bottineau, North Dakota
Abandoned house, Long Lake, Bottineau, North Dakota
Red Winged Blackbird
Nuthatch
Lady Red Winged Blackbird
Nuthatch
My favorite tipple, Chardonnay
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Farm, South Dakota
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Bicycle sculpture, Pringle, SD
Barn, South Dakota
Thunderstorm, Raton Pass, NM
Amtrak, Glorietta, Raton Pass, NM
Michael, Brewmaster, Kaktus Brewing, Bernalillo, NM
