The next high point on our agenda was North Dakota. Now, North Dakota isn't on anyone's way anywhere, but by western U.S. standards, you might say we were in the neighborhood. Since we started the day in far southwestern Nebraska, this was going to be a long drive, passing through not only the full height of the Nebraska panhandle, but the entire height of South Dakota as well.
In Hermosa, South Dakota, in a grassy field outside an RV park just east of the Black Hills, sit three 15-foot busts of former Presidents Kennedy, Reagan, and George W. Bush. An alternative to nearby Mount Rushmore, perhaps? Of course, we had to stop for a closer look at this random display of greatness.
A little later, we drove through the quiet little town of Sturgis, South Dakota. Quiet now anyway, a week after their giant annual motorcycle rally. Glad we missed the hubbub, but we did spend a few amusing minutes at the Full Throttle Saloon. You know this place gets wild!
The highest point in North Dakota is White Butte, elevation 3,506 feet. Still considered part of the Great Plains, the landscape here is a bit more interesting, with sandstone buttes emerging from the prairie. We passed through endless fields of grass and sunflowers on our way to the trailhead, which naturally required driving several miles of gravel road.
White Butte and the trail thereto are on private land, with the access road, parking, and trail provided through public-private grants and the cooperation of many entities. Thank you to the landowners for granting the easement! There is a box for voluntary donations for trail maintenance, suggested donation $5 each.
The White Butte Trail is an easy 1.6-mile round-trip hike up a well-maintained path to the top of a grassy knoll with a panoramic view of southwestern North Dakota. The weather was perfect, and the view was great. Very windy at the top, though, and watch out for rattlesnakes!
On our way into nearby Bowman, North Dakota, to spend the night, we came upon a fun “Welcome to Bowman” display provided by a local company, Pifer's Auction. This called for a sudden U-turn and multiple photos.
Lodging: Super 8, Bowman, North Dakota. Review: It was another Super 8, staff a bit quirky but overall acceptable.
Bowman has a population of 1,470 people and is the only town for many, many, many miles, so there was really no question of where we'd be staying tonight. When we arrived a little after 6:00 p.m., the only grocery store in town was already closed, and there was exactly one open restaurant. Thus, we had dinner at Grazer's Burgers & Beer, conveniently located right across the street from our motel. The food was good, and they had a nice IPA on tap.
We drove 465 miles today in order to reach the far-flung North Dakota high point, but after this, we'll be able to slow our roll.