Medora, Montana and the Reading Room

MEDORA

So this weekend, I finally got out to Medora. On Saturday morning, the other intern and I left- heading west. When we got there we drove into Teddy Roosevelt National Park and we didn't have to pay- it was a free weekend! We got our campsite, set up the tent and had lunch with the badlands in the background. I don't really know how to describe the badlands- but it's canyon like and you can see the multi-colored layers of sediment from thousands of years ago. The rock there is really brittle too- you can break it in your hand and when it gets wet, it is slippery. I think a lot of it's called bentonite, which is just really fine stuff and that's why it's so slippery.

Before heading out to Medora we stopped at the visitor center and went on a short tour of Teddy Roosevelts cabing- the Maltese Falcon. The guide told the story of the rich young man coming out to the country side in fancy get-up- a newly made fringe coat and pearl studded pistol (or something similar). He wanted to shoot buffalo, but everyone was afraid of taking him out on a hunt for fear he would die and they would get blamed. He eventually found a guide and hunted a buffalo and had his own hunting cabin made (the Maltese Falcon). After he became president, he helped start up the efforts for more conservation which is why the park is named after him.

Then we drove out to see the town of Medora, there was a buffalo by the side of the road. We walked around the tourist town- I tried on a cowboy hat and bought postcards. We thought about kayaking, but it was overpriced and the water was really low in the Little Missouri River. Afterwards we headed over to the Chateau de Mores (we got in for free there- the benefits of interning). The Chateau is a glorified hunting lodge for the Marquis de Mores and his wife Medora (hence the name of the town). They lived there during the summer as the marquis tried his hand at a ranching business enterprise and she went on buffalo and bear hunts. When we got there, there was a live action show and this guy came on to tell stories of his historical character. He told stories of hunts and it transported you back to the old west- but he also talked about the sad decline of the buffalo- at one point there were only 600 left. We toured the house and walked around the grounds- among the tree-lined river bottom which almost felt a little like home.

When we got back to our campsite, we started the coals and took a little path down to the Little Missouri River- it was pretty low, but I decided to take a dunk. And with the other intern's new camera which can go in water, I tried taking some pictures. I couldn't swim or anything, but I could float for a little bit before ending up on a sandbar.

When we got back, the coals were ready and we grilled out. A park ranger came around and told us about an evening campfire thing. He asked us if we were newlyweds and seemed surprised that we weren't even married. I tried not to laugh too hard, but it was hilarious. We went and listened to more about Teddy Roosevelt.

Since we knew the Perseid meteor shower was going on, we hoped we could get a look. We had an idea of where to look (courtesy of a book at the visitor center) and the sky cleared in time (it had showered off and on earlier). We took our chairs and a blanket and headed back out to the Little Missouri and walked down aways. When it got really dark, the stars were amazing. I saw the milky way and we spotted a few comets. The grass rustled and I was afraid that we were going to encounter a buffalo which is not uncommon. Then the sky started clouding over, so we headed back which was harder in the dark- we almost missed the little trailhead and our feet started sinking in the muck, but right then we found it and made it successfully back to camp and bed.

In the morning I woke up first and headed out to the river again. I crossed it and decided to climb around- mind I was just in my pjs and I'd brought only my sandals 'cause I thought I would just take a dip. So I hiked around barefoot and in my pjs with a sweatshirt which I think is hilarious. I got further than I'd planned on going, but since I had no idea what time it was or when my camping buddy got up, I headed back, stopping to float in the freezing cold water of the river. I felt very adventuresome.


MONTANA

We drove off to Montana after loading up the tent and supplies (which had gotten a bit wet during the night). We stopped in a little town called Wibaux- walking up and down the main street. There were many bars and all the little shops were closed- it being a Sunday. We took pictures of Montana Centennial Train and then went to a park. We played on a tire swing. He pushed me and when I was done, I pushed him- but only once! Tire swings make him very dizzy apparently- it was funny.

Then we drove north through the state- it was very pretty- lots of grass- lots of hills- and even a mountain! At one point the road turned to gravel and my map had said it was all paved! Well, it didn't last too long and we stopped in a town called Sidney for lunch before heading onto the North Rim of Teddy Roosevelt National park back in ND.

I tried stayed awake, but having just eaten lunch and the sun so warm, I couldn't help it! Finally, I had him stop, so I could get some caffeine. I didn't really have any cash by that point and I didn't want to charge anything, so I brought in a handful of change, picked out some tea and asked how much it was. The cash guy told me and I said "let me see if I have enough" and was pulling out my wallet to go through the change purse and he said not to worry about. And because it was a two-for deal, he told me to get another one because it was a Sunday. I felt a little bad, but it made me very happy. It was good sweet tea too.

We got to the park and headed in. We stopped at some of the scenic overlooks and got out to walk along one trail. Since it was fine to walk off trail we picked a peak that looked climb-able and went for it. When we started getting a bit further up, I started worrying about heights and so instead of going along a narrow ridge, I suggested that we backtrack and go up the more tree-lined route, because I reasoned that way I couldn't fall far- sure I'd get banged up- but I wouldn't die! I did get banged up though- the trees were thick and I scraped my leg, but oh well. I also put my hand on a prickly pear cactus twice too and got stuck with well over 10 spikes each time. It's really not that bad, but pulling out some of the longer ones hurts. I was glad the other intern had a pair of tweezers with him. Eventually we reached the top though and the view was amazing. Amazing. Badlands everywhere. And then it was time to start heading down. For some of the steeper areas I took the butt-sliding approach which is exactly what it sounds like and very effective too. We went down a different way which was pretty nice.

Before we left, we took the scenic drive around the rest of the park. For awhile you could see where the grasslands started- there was grass on one side and badlands on the other. I still want to know how exactly the badlands were formed! There was a herd of buffalo and as we drove back we came not more than 30 feet from two buffalo who were hanging out near the visitor center. It was pretty nifty. Just to mention it- most buffalo weigh 2000 pounds and they can run 30 mph, so you don't want to ever come too close to a buffalo.


READING ROOM

We got back a little late, but it was fine and today was my first day in the reading room. My datebook internship is up (although I'll probably still write stories) and so I've been looking up obituaries and helping people find their family histories. It can be pretty exciting when you finally find a date for a person or the article you were looking for. But copyright laws seem like they could be a pain. We shall see how it goes. I do miss having my own computer (I still have it, but I need to stay out in the other area so I can see people when they need help), but it should be a good new experience.

Okay, I should head out now (buy some more antiobiotic stuff for my scrapes) and make dinner. Night!