Did some laundry in Bismarck and headed on my way to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  Saw some signs along the highway toting “world’s largest metal sculptures on the Enchanted Highway”.  So I took the next exit to investigate.  I saw a couple of huge animal sculptures which were impressive but also saw some more photo opportunities down a dirt road.  The clouds were perfect again as was the sky and there were also bails of hay decorating the landscape completing my perceived typical image of the midwest or northern plains.  I’m still nervous when someone drives by when I’m taking pictures thinking that they will question me and chase me away but they always just smile and wave.  I haven’t seen any shotguns in their pickup trucks either, thankfully.  Guess that’s just Texas.

    After hanging out on the Enchanted Highway for a while, I got back on the main highway and headed for the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  I arrived around 5 pm (Mountain Time) and set up my tent in the campground.  Went to a brief hike guided by one of the park rangers and saw some bison, wild horses and prairie dogs.  Its been so dry and hot here that they just put a ban on open fires in the county today - hence no campfire.  So, I decided to wander into the neighboring town of Medora, ND to see what the local pub scene was like.  Had a drink (Moose Drool beer) at a bar that used to be a cowboy bar but the people were pretty uninteresting so I headed to another nearby bar.  This one had real cowboys; well at least they had the right hats anyway.  I definitely was out of place but I didn’t really care.  Everyone turned around when I walked in but then again I was part of that head turning crowd when the next person entered.  No beer on tap unfortunately so I got a bottle of Grain Belt Premium.  Reminiscent of Miller High Life but it was worth trying just because it was different.  After that I hit the last bar in town (yes, there’s only 3) to get some pizza since they were the only place in town still serving food at the late hour of 11:30.  Getting up early tomorrow morning to do some horseback riding in the park.  About an hour and a half on a guided tour going at a snails pace probably but I’m sure it will beat walking.