It could be worse

Gettysburg to Mobridge, South Dakota Friday, July 23, 2021

I had wanted to leave before sunrise this morning, but it was raining so I didn’t actually leave until 7:30. The rain had stopped and cleared the haze somewhat, and I got a better picture of Lake Oahe.

Despite the heat and the challenges I’ve mentioned, I have been leading a charmed life these last few days, with fairly constant southeast winds pushing me along, unusual because the prevailing winds are from the west. Today was supposed to be my comeuppance, but for most of the day, the wind was still out of the southeast and still behind me. That was appreciated, because it was quite hot at 98°, although again, not as bad as predicted . As Garrison Keillor often says, it could be worse.

There was not much more to say about today, away from the lake the landscape was monotonous, rolling fields of corn and hay, nothing worthy of a picture. As I’ve mentioned before, there is a certain majesty to the sweep of the plains, of this heartland of America, where Lewis and Clark went before me more than 200 years ago, and where so much strife with the First Nations occurred. The town of Mobridge, my destination for tonight, is reputed to be one of the possible sites where Sitting Bull was buried. How odd, how sad that they don’t know for sure.

There were violent thunderstorms overnight, quite dramatic, I was glad not to be camping. But now the front has come through, and the wind has shifted. In a few days the temperatures will be in the high 100s.

I write this early on Saturday morning, quite perplexed. The next town, actually the biggest city since Madison, is Bismarck ND, 124 miles and 6,000 vertical feet of climbing away. Essentially no facilities in between, just primitive campsites without water, with one exception: at the 72 mile mark, there is a somewhat improved campground “there’s a shower, it’s not clean but it works” and a small restaurant with a convenience store just up the hill. Temperatures today will peak out in the low 90s, but it will stay that hot well into the evening, not very conducive to camping. However, the nearest motel is 22 miles away, involving a 44 mile detour in total. Tomorrow will be hotter, but I will have a tailwind again.

I’m considering staying here another day, leaving at midnight and trying to do the whole 124 miles to Bismarck in a single day. Probably better to just deal with the headwind and hills today, have one uncomfortable night camping, and go to Bismarck tomorrow.

I know, I know, stop writing and start pedaling. I have packed quite a bit of food, and 5.5 liters of water. Reportedly little to no cell signal at the campground, so will be incommunicado. Wish me luck.

Distance 68 miles, 4,335 total. Time 8 hours with stops. Elevation gain 1,326 feet

©️ 2021 Scott Luria