Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit

Friday August 10, 2012

We are leaving Makoshika State Park after three nights and heading to the North campground of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We've not been to this campground before as we always went to the southern campground so we'll get the chance to
see if it is any different. 

It is in North Dakota so this was our only long stop before getting back to New England on the 24th.  We'll be doing one night stands after this.

The weather for our drive to Juniper Campground is pleasant enough.  Weather is clear, air conditioning works well and traffic is not bad.

We stopped for gas when we had about 60 miles left to go and realized that our green rug (9 x 12) that was UNDER Ed's Kayak blew away!  How in the world does that happen?  Neither of us heard any sound at all!  Darn!  And I wonder where it
went---did it hit another car, plop right in the middle of the road or blow to the side of the road???  It was pretty heavy!

It was great to have that rug for our screen house right in front of our entry door to the camper.  It kept the camper a little cleaner when each of the campsites were pretty dusty.

Juniper Campground sits beside the Little Missouri River in an especially scenic area of the badlands. This unit of the park is more distant from the interstate (5 miles in from the entrance) and receives fewer visitors.  We arrive at the campground about 10:30 am.  The scenery looks a lot like Makosheka.  The hills are all delineated with different shades.  Interesting.  We forgot to get ice, though, before we arrived and when we asked if they had any, we were told that it was in the next town--15 miles north of the entrance!  Looks like we will have to make do until tomorrow.  Bummer.  I LOVE ice!

When we arrived at the campground there was a herd of Bison waiting for us.  All different sizes:  huge males, smaller females and calves.  Very cool!  In fact, we have to wait to fill up the camper with drinking water until they move on!

There are lots of  camping sites to choose from in this park.  We choose one a little protected (winds have been strong lately) but with a lovely view of the mountains and field where more Bison may roam later!  After we set up and B.I.T.C.H., we see a flock of Wild Turkeys walking down the path.

It's Friday.  We thought it would be more crowded then this so we were pleasantly surprised.  We are planning to stay 2 nights so we will move on Sunday. That will give Ed a day to hike the area since this is the first visit we've had to this part of the park.