Day 19

The prairie scenery is gradually changing from hills and valleys to flat plains as we roll eastward from Bismarck on I-94. This is the part of North Dakota that I "missed" coming in that night over two weeks ago. Somehow, I had pictured more desolate, rugged terrain here. Instead, its farm fields and more farm fields.

I have mixed feelings about being back on the interstates. Certainly, it's nice to be on a road that will be in good shape, and have plenty of services available (advrtised by the dozens of billboards that have also returned.) On the other hand, it was fun having those Canadian roads and ND backroads largely to ourselves. You have a little more time to think and enjoy the surroundings when you're rolling down one of those state, provincial, or county roads. You think about how the land has differed little from the days of the Indians and pioneers, and how relatively "young" this area is. You're more likely to spot an interesting building or wild critter. You can speculate about the people who live here and how they are making out; wave to the children waiting for the school bus and wonder what adventures and challenges lie in their fuures; imagine Indians and pioneers making their way along these very same paths; and marvel at the endless expanses of wheat, sunflowers, and other crops, and marvel at the natural forces that shaped these hills and fields so many eons ago. With all mankind's engineering and scientific capabilities, natur still holds sway over what we eat, and how we get it.

But now, with cars and semis rushing by at 70 MPH plus, all that seemingly endless miles spent driving through the "Big Empty" seem all too precious. Our thoughts can no longer range freely like cattle; they're becoming increasingly focused on a single goal--to get home.