As we work our way eastward across North Dakota, we're noticing that the terrain is gradually flattening out. It's still not Kansas-flat, but the rollers are lower and less steep than they were just a day or so ago. So today Rich and I rode 80 miles and were still at our destination by 1:30 -- and ready to stop!
We are in Goodrich (another "Rich" town), a tiny community of well-kept homes, gravel streets, and a 1-block downtown of boarded up businesses. They also have a very nice city park where we are camped for just the request of a donation. As has often been the case since Billings, the cottonwoods are prolifically producing seeds that fill the air and get into everything. The building in the photo is directly across the street.
In addition to flattening out, North Dakota is surprising us with the amount of natural lakes, ponds, and wetlands along Hwy 200. It seems like every short descent takes us to another area filled with a stream or a picturesque pond. The cattails are starting to form heads, and the water birds are always present. Today Rich and I biked under a beautiful flight of white pelicans, so low that we could see every detail.
A major crop of this area is rapeseed, from which canola oil is produced. Huge fields of yellow blooms are a frequent sight.
One surprise for me on this trip is that everywhere we have been since San Francisco, we have been accompanied by bird song. It is, of course, impossible to hear them when traveling by car, but on bikes the songs are always with us. Given the extremely varied terrain we have covered, it occurs to me that bird song may be a constant presence everywhere, at least throughout North America. That is, for me, a pretty amazing and cool revelation, as well as a reminder of how much we are usually cut off from our surroundings.
wow. i truly admire what you guys are doing. good luck!
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