OOPS - Houston, we have a problem!

Road weary – stuff is breaking – too much wind and rain – time to come home See pic of Willow Lake by moonlight – so pretty, peaceful and calm. Well, not at midnight. I was asleep and here come this fierce and sudden wind and rain. Well, I got lazy last night and I did not close tha carrier all the way. Wind picked it up and slammed the top of the clamshell against the hood of the car. We now have some souvenir dimples. Also tore the front of the top clamshell by the hinge. The tarp went flying in the wind too. So there I was – old fat guy running around in the wind and the rain in my skivvies trying to do damage control. Well, got the clam shut and locked down. Threw the tarp onto the front seat of the car, shut the back hatch and Leo and I listened to the wind buffet the car until dawn. Fortunately, about 6:00 am, we got a break in the rain and we broke camp and got out of there. A stop at the WalMart in Havre Mt for some outdoor duct tape made us waterproof again . It will get us back to VA. Stopped at the Bowdoin Game preserve and toured – hoped to see buffalo or elk – not – but did see some big deer and one very large snake with cream colored belly and sides and black diamond shapes on its back. Could not swear it was a rattler – but that would be my guess. It was too fast for the camera. Wanted to stop at Williston ND but all campgrounds and hotels are full due to the ND State Fair in Williston this week. Oh well, it was raining anyway. By the way, ND now makes it all 48 of the lower 48 for me – plus of course Alaska. 1 more to go. So, pushed on to Minot and was lucky to find this small private campground. Actually very nice and reasonable – no amenities though – like running water. So, hope the pending rain is not as bad as last nights. Lots of new oil wells in the area Schlumberger and Halliburton crews all over the place. That’s part of the motel problem. (see pic of well) I’m also fascinated by these plains trains. Burlinton Northern Santa Fe – one was nine tenths of a mile long. Anyway, between weather and inability to count on accommodations, I’ve been getting a little discouraged. I find myself spending more time looking for places to stay rather than I do looking at places I want to look at. Besides, it’s been a month. So, tomorrow Minnesota and rocket east. 529 miles today, 48.17 N, 101.26 W