August 17-29, 2023.

Where did the summer go? Somehow my travel nurse contract in Montana had come to an end, and I was headed east to catch a flight from Chicago. I decided a week-long road trip would allow me to take the scenic route, visiting the Canadian Rockies and the North Dakotan Badlands on the way.

Sadly, the fire season was really ramping up, and the day I left evacuations were declared in parts of British Columbia. Thankfully, the roads and national parks were still open but the air quality was poor. I could barely see Banff, but the air was clearer in the Lake Louise region.

It rained on my first day in Lake Louise, which helped the air quality. My favorite hike was the Plain of Six Glaciers which departed from Lake Louise. I picked it because I’m fascinated with glaciers and it had a tea house. Who doesn’t love fresh baked goods and warm beverages on a hike? As you can see, the hike was incredible. Glacial rivers, tall trees, wildflowers, and massive glaciers creaking at the end.

Canada feels so much more European to me. Even the national parks. I’m trying to think of why it feels this way. Maybe the incredible diversity of people, or the use of public transportation vs private vehicles or mountain huts with tea? The landscape was similar to Montana (its only a few hours north) but the feeling I got was different. It could just be me wanting to feel something different.

I tried some Canadian dishes such as poutine and beavertails but otherwise cooked for myself at the campground. I also enjoyed a few Tim Horton’s coffees.

It was time to continue east. I crossed back into Montana and drove all the way to North Dakota before settling for the night. I wanted to take the northern route and visit states I had not been to before.

North Dakota surprised me. Some states have reputations for beauty and others don’t. Theodore Roosevelt came to North Dakota to become a cattle rancher and feel in love with the area. I can see why. It is such a unique landscape. There were prairies with bison herds, steep cliffs covered with Bentonite clay which looks like popcorn when dry but becomes very slippery when wet. The Missouri river wound its way through the valleys. Prickly pear somehow manages to grow. Prairie dogs built large towns.

It was peaceful and quiet. Very few people visited the North Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park where I was staying. Most go right off I-94 to the South Unit. I could imagine the US as a sparsely populated land from the 1800s with people trying to seek their fortunes. I’m almost thankful that some places weren’t that habitable to the European settlers since it has allowed them to remain wild longer. Of course once outside of the park, I saw lots of ranching, farming, and oil fields. It was another reminder of how critical it is to protect and preserve our public lands.

On a misty morning, I left the wild of the national park and continued east. The unseasonably cool weather I had been experiencing (50-60s) turned unseasonably warm (90-100s) as I crossed into Minnesota. I got to meet up with a lovely friend and enjoyed a tasty dinner. Thanks, Lianne!

With only 400 miles to go, I arrived at Chicago’s O’Hare airport a week after leaving Montana. Time to do laundry, switch from my camping gear to fancy wedding clothes and then head to the airport to help marry one of my closest college friends.

Cheers to Monika and Tom for a lovely wedding weekend in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It was so much fun catching up with old college friends and getting to know new friends.