We have a long drive ahead of us. I have the hammock and tent packed up. I’m ready to go. First, we will stop at the camp lodge and have breakfast.
The drive begins. The Badlands are now behind us as the memories come with me. I wish I had time to see more. We are in the prairie of South Dakota heading north. This is Cheyenne and Sioux territory.
Crossing into North Dakota, the vegetation has more color. Just a subtle change. I remember noticing the small differences in 2022 while double-crossing the continent. It’s not just the cars, the style of house design, or the way people interact. It is also the landscape. Why? The states are just boundaries established by people.
The long drive is magnified by crossing into a different time zone. Mountain to Central, we gained an hour. Another boundary manufactured by humans. Nature doesn’t need us; we need nature. It is unfortunate that our culture has declined and this is not being acknowledged.
The countdown begins. Ten miles from the end of the drive, now five miles. Now two miles, and I see the sign for the campground. Our campsite is on the Missouri River. Camp is set.
We drive into Linton, ND, for groceries.
This end of the time zone, the sunsets late. I relax and enjoy this peaceful place.
