We started the day knowing we had “miles to go before we sleep.” But…we could not pass up the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We didn’t tour the entire park (and probably missed some good stuff) but we did tour Roosevelt’s hunting cabin and had a very interesting talk from the park ranger. We did not know that Roosevelt bought into a ranch in North Dakota and that is where he really learned the importance of conservation. Although congress would not agree to his idea of National Parks, they did allow him (and all subsequent presidents) to establish National Monuments. He established the first one – Devil’s Tower – which we visited yesterday. He also established National Forest. James probably already knew all of that – but I didn’t. While in North Dakota he had a hunting lodge built. It was considered a “mansion” because it had three rooms and a sleeping loft. This lodge was moved to its current site in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and we toured it – James got his picture made at the lodge. There were a couple of original furniture pieces in the lodge – the writing desk and Roosevelt’s trunk. We left there heading for Montana. We got our picture made at the first rest stop. As you can tell, the landscape looks a lot like the badlands. It changed through the day to farm land and then to low mountain ranges. James made a picture of a helicopter landing on a semi-trailer. We think the pilot was learning to land in tight quarters. We took one side drive to the world’s largest earthen dam. This dam was built by the CCC during the depression. We didn’t get any real good pictures of the dam (because it is earthen, it looks just like huge earth barriers.) We did get a picture of DRY spillage. These were also built by the CCC to accommodate excess water and therefore prevent water topping the dam – sort of like insurance against levees being breached. (Smart folks weren’t they?) Once we left there we just rode, and rode, and rode. The most exciting thing that happened was a huge pheasant flew across the road in front of the car. No picture – they are too quick. Later we saw a covey of pheasants and a small herd of pronghorns (those weird deer.) These were sharing a field with cattle – I bet the ranchers love that! On one of the main highways we drove 25 miles without seeing a house! The speed limit on the two lane highways is 70 mph – there is very little traffic and the roads are very straight so it is safe. We stopped about 7 p.m. after driving over 400 miles. Now we are doing laundry! Great way to end the day.