Teddy Roosevelt National Park

Ride out of Minot started an 11 day straight riding period. The first day we headed to New Town--a small town on an indian reservation. It was the day after that that turned out to be amazing. The 65 mile day started off crossing a major river--I don't remember the name--that was like entering the West. Flat on once side, hilly on the other. We were excited to get to the park so Wade, Jason, Eileen, and I pushed hard the first 20 miles against cross winds over rolling hills. That's when things started to get good. Our directions turned us south west, directly with the wind. We enjoyed the first tail winds in weeks going 20mph up hills and in the 30s down! We were flying through the miles. Already a great ride, we see the downhill sign we're always waiting for 2 miles out of the park entrance and a great ride just got better. I used my camera mount for the first time to tape that beautiful fast descent. When we hear we'd have to wait for a shuttle to get into the park, we jumped back on our bikes, climbed back up the hill, and rode it again. It was only 12:30! We rode 65 miles with an average speed of 17.5mph--fastest yet--and the day was young. After setting up camp, we went for a 4 mile hike. Saw a field of prairie dogs and some amazing panaramic views. We headed back to the camp but dinner wasn't ready, so Jason, Wade, Eileen and I headed out to find what we hadn't seen yet. Just a mile the other direction there they were. About 3 dozen buffalo coming over the ridge. A few came about 30 feet from us. They were massive, making noises, rolling in the dirt, so real it was unreal. Ended the day climbing a slump--small mountain like feature--and watching the sunset from the top. Wow.