Since our last blog we moved from Indian Memorial Recreation Area to Hazleton Recreation Area which is a beautiful Army Corps Of Engineers campground right on the Missouri River. They had 36 campsites and we were the only campers the two nights we spent there.
Our campsite at Hazleton Recreation Area
White pelican flying up the river
From there we moved to Buffalo Gap Recreation area near Madora, North Dakota, just a few miles from Theodore Roosevelt National Park and a few miles from the Montana border.
Our campsite from the very tall and steep knob beside us
Today we spent much of the day at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Madora, ND. Roosevelt originally came to this area to hunt buffalo and elk but soon fell in love with the Dakotas and ended up owning and operating two cattle ranches here which were located on what is now the National Park.
Roosevelt's actual cabin from when he first started coming here before he purchased the ranches. This cabin is located near the visitors center and is mostly original but was relocated from about 7 miles away.
Most of the park is made up of badlands and rolling plains
Lots of wild horses - these horses look healthier than most domestic horses - very muscular and very shiny coats
The park is home to hundreds of wild buffalo - this was part of a heard of approximately 120
1000's of prairie dogs
Another group of wild horses a little further down the road
Medora and the surrounding area was settled by the Marquis de Mores, who was a French aristocrat who came to the area in 1883 to start a cattle ranch and slaughterhouse with plans to ship the beef East in refrigerated rail cars. The image below is of his home, the Chateau de Mores. The town of Medora was named after his wife.
Madora is a nice little old west town - mostly shops, restaurants and museums now though
The original town hall and a bronze statue of Teddy Roosevelt
Bronze statue of Teddy Roosevelt
Bronze statue of the Marquis de Mores
Cowboy Hall Of Fame
