Seattle to Buffalo with 3 Dogs Day 3: Montana to Minnesota

Makoshika State Park, Glendive, Montana

Typist: Bethany
The Montana Badlands sun warmed our tent and got us going bright and early. I'm glad it did because all of us Cascadian Nomads were looking forward to hiking through Makoshika State Park in Eastern Montana. While I packed up camp, 'R' Blood on the Tracks Boys enjoyed hanging out on the grass.

Wilhelm's morning sun bath

Huxley's always staying cool

A Montana Tug

We walked just across the street from the campground to the trail head and hiked into the Badlands. The clay was cooling and the views were indescribably beautiful. I felt so lucky to have enjoyed this lovely trail all by ourselves. The boys loved sniffing the spring green sages and ancient rocks as we all panted our way up one of the sandstone peaks.

Cliffs and grass

Checking out a sandstone cave

Half way up we discovered a Hadrosaur fossil... Okay, someone else technically discovered it but we appreciated it

Brychwyn, Wilhelm & Huxley over looking the Montana Badlands at Makoshika State Park

With worn out dogs, it was time to hit the highway again. It seemed like no time at all before there was another state to add to our "States I've Visited" t-shirts. We were warmly welcomed into North Dakota by their breath taking Badlands at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Dogs are not allowed down into Painted Canyon but we enjoyed strolling the rim if the canyon, sniffing the breeze (and bison pies,) rolling in the tall grass and making friends. As always, the Cascadian Nomad canines are a big attraction, even with a natural wonder like the Painted Valley to compete with. One woman asked if Huxley was a collie and Newfoundland cross which cracked us up because we had not heard that one before... and he might be because he is such a huge collie! I made a mom smile when I commended her on teaching her kids good dog etiquette- they asked very politely if they could pet my dogs. It was hard to tear them all away from each other after that...

Day three drive from Makoshika State Park, through North Dakota, to Buffalo River State Park: 406 miles

North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Wilhelm never misses an opportunity for a roll in the grass; it seems most appropriate here in out nations grassland

Making new friends at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Painted Canyon

Driving on all the way through North Dakota, we arrived at Buffalo River State Park in Minnesota, across the North Dakota border, right before sunset. We had a lot of fun playing in the sand along the river bed. Then we ran through the mowed grassland that is part of the Muskoda Interpretive Trail. This was great fun until Brychwyn began to repeatedly shake his head. We stopped and I brushed the biggest tick I have ever seen from his muzzle. Ew. We don't have ticks like that in Cascadia. I was glad he noticed it and I was able to grab it while it struggled to get into his fur. That ended our evening fun. Camp set up and some serious grooming (as serious as I could get by lamp light) followed. On the bright side, there were no mosquitoes or black flies, as I had very much expected in Minnesota. Plus, we did get to see a beautiful sunset. Yet another great day on our epic adventure.

Buffalo River

Sunset at Buffalo River State Park, Minnesota

Please forgive any & all rough spots in this post as it has been done on mobile from the road! We will be reading and enjoying your comments but, due to being on the road, it will be difficult for us to respond right away. Thanks for understanding and for coming along on this great adventure.