We have landed in Devils Lake North Dakota. We got into the Holiday Inn Express around 4pm, and after about 300 miles. We rode thru miles and miles, and more miles of farmland. I think the farmers here measure their land by the square mile, not acre. Pretty uneventful ride, to be kind.
Our morning call time was breakfast at 8am and kickstands up at 9am. We have been in the Central time zone since we landed in Wisconsin. However, our bodies are still in the Eastern time zone. I was up around 5:45am local time (6:45 EST) and my alarm was set for 6:15, no since laying around, Monkey was still hooked up to his life support (CPAP) and snoozing away. I jumped in the shower, and began my packing.
By 6:45am, we were all convened in the breakfast room, just off the main lobby. Light conversation was had, and we determined that the kickstands up time had changed to 8:15. Our destination is the Sportsman Lodge in Devils Lake ( I am aware that I already told you we are at the Holiday Inn Express, just follow along).
Our first stop along the way was about 75 miles down the road, traveling State Hwy 2, to Bemidji MN to see the Paul Bunyan and Blue monuments. Me being the Clark Griswald of the group, insisting that we take the kids to see every touristy thing we can, proclaimed this stop at dinner last night. We topped off the fuel tanks there as well, and while Ski Doo Matt was trying to recover all of his cell phone data at the gas station (we don’t know what happened with his phone) we talked to probably a ½ dozen locals that saw our loaded down bikes and were curious what we were up to. Everybody was very gracious and wished us success on our adventure. Kindly appreciated.
Our journey picked up again, and thru miles and miles and miles and miles of farm fields. We came across the small town of Crookston MN and found the local restaurant Irishman’s Shanty. What a great little restaurant the locals there have. A nice little salad bar that we all partook in, and the special was hamburger steak with mashed potatoes and gravy and a side of peas… Perfect. Bring 3 please (Hedgehog and I shared a plate).
After lunch we hit state road 9 to state road 15, crossing into N Dakota, and passing miles and miles and miles and miles and miles of farmland. We made another stop at a gas station/convenience store/small diner in the middle of miles and miles and miles and miles of farmland, for a short break and top off the tanks again. The lunch special was “Mystery Meat”. I am glad we ate at the Irishman.
I need to backtrack a minute here. After lunch, while we were getting ready to mount our bikes again, Ski Doo’s phone was ringing with a call from truck/trailer Brian. Brian had already reached Devils Lake and the Sportsman’s Lodge. His first statement over the speakerphone was I would bet all the money in my pocket right now that this place is not where we want to stay tonight. I don’t know a polite way to express his dissatisfaction with the chosen lodging, nor use language that would be suitable for print. Needless to say, he was assigned the task of finding us an overnight lodging more accommodating to his/our expectations. Holiday Inn Express it is.
We arrived in Devils Lake ND around 4pm and after about 295 miles. Truck/Trailer Brian had the cooler restocked with fresh beverages and ice, and the tailgate down, awaiting our arrival. A good man that Brian.
Knuckle punches all around as we disembarked our bikes and cracked those cold rocky mountain cans.
Hedgehog moved the park bench under the portico for some shade as our resting place outside the front door of the Holiday Inn. Conversation started flying about the Glacial Pass that we want to travel from Montana in to Wyoming wont open until July 13, and how we could incorporate that into our trip. So instead of heading directly to the Pacific, we are now headed south to South Dakota and will spend a few days around Sturgis riding and seeing the sights. We will then head back north and west to get to the Pacific. All these things to see/do were part of our agenda, we just didn’t know how the plan was going to materialize. That was also the agenda of this ride… make up the ride as we go.
This hotel offers a free washer/dryer on the third floor so we are taking advantage of this opportunity to get some fresh laundered clothing. And sipping a few cold beverages. Before dinner. And I am writing this stupid blog.
The bikes are parked under the portico, which for me leads to another story that these guys will not let me write this without a mention. Another 1mph tip over for Stick. I am not really sure how I did it this time, put the bike in gear started to move to the designated parking area, and just like that… ploop. Bike on its side again. The beauty of this is, I got the bike back up on rubber, with an assist from Ski Doo, and nobody is quick enough to get their cameras out! My philosophy is, no pictures… it didn’t happen.
Ok, time to move the clothes to the dryer. Tomorrow’s destination is Medora, ND and about 300 miles. We shall see.
Bye for now,
Stick
