July 17-19

Headed over the boarder to North Dakota to check out the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The park in western North Dakota preserves rugged badlands and honors the 26^th U.S. President. The park is broken into 2 sections, the North Unit and the South Unit.  We arrived early enough to drive through the North Unit.  The North Unit has a 14-mile scenic drive with a few scenic view pull offs and trail heads.  Views were amazing not to mention some of the wildlife. It was a great first day in North Dakota.

When we were reading about the park, we found out that the town of Medora, located in between the two park Units just had the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Library.  Who knew, certainly not us.  We headed to the library about 10 am thinking we would get there early.  Wow, to our surprise there was a line to enter going around the building.  So, we waited patiently to get in, and boy, it was worth it.  We have no words to describe our experience except that we will be telling everyone that it is a ‘Bucket List” must.  Maybe it was the way they told the life story of Theodore Roosevelt, maybe the high-tech interaction exhibits, who knows.  Whatever it was, we spent 5 hours there soaking it all in. 

A key interaction that was throughout the library were kiosks that you would swipe a badge you were issued when you initially entered the library that would imprint your face into a historic times or themed photo of Roosevelts life. TR’s life in N Y, ranching in the badlands, working on the NYCPD, serving in the Navy, being a rough rider, leading as president and journeying into the amazon.   These interactive exhibits really drew you into his life’s story from childhood to death.

Last day in North Dakota was spent driving 36 miles of the South Unit of the park.  The road winds across the rolling, jumbled badlands with fantastic scenery in all directions.  This drive was another great opportunity to watch wildlife.  We saw more Bison, wild horses, turkeys, prairie dogs, more prairie dogs and a coyote eating a prairie dog (yum)

 

Special Note: Theodore Rooswvelt first came to Dakota Territory in 1883 to hunt bison.  A year later, devastated by personal tragedy, he returned to grieve and lose himself in its vastness.  He became a cattle rancher and in this broken land, found adventure, purpose, and wholeness.  Though his ranch ultimately failed, his love for rugged beauty of the land brought him back time and time again for the rest of his life.

Roosevelt credited his Dakota experiences as the basis for his groundbreaking preservation efforts and the shaping of his own character.  As president he translated his love of nature into law.  He established the US Forest Service and signed the 1906 Antiquities Act, under which he proclaimed 18 national monuments.  He worked with Congress to create five national parks, 150 national forests and dozens of federal reserves – over 230 million acres of protected land.  Thank you Teddy!!