Day Twelve

Up at six and in the car ready to leave at 7.45am. Hit the road and headed for I94 west. Drove for a couple of hours before a quick comfort break in a rest area. Carried on into North Dakota past Fargo, somewhere we stayed in 2017 until we reached Valley City. 282 miles completed by 11.55am, not a bad morning's work. Had a soundtrack today of BBC Radio 2 shows on our journey.

Stopped at a plaza for what should have been a quick drink. Ann insisted she wanted a hot drink so we ordered a mocha and a hot chocolate at the McDonalds there. Twenty minutes later we finally got our order and could set off.

Saw another airstream trailer.

Not quite as glamorous as last time

Carried on I94 west, going the opposite way to our 2017 trip. Passed Jamestown where we had stopped for lunch with dad on that previous trip. By now the landscape had changed to a more open plains like view. Completed another 124 miles to a rest area just east of Bismarck just before 2pm. Ate a packed lunch we had prepared before we left. Reclined my seat for a bit and shut my eyes for a few minutes to counteract the fact I'd been yawning non stop for the last half an hour of driving.

Set off again feeling a little more alert for the next phase. Passed a very large cow on a hill.  Pretty sure I remembered seeing it when we had gone the other direction eight years ago. Drove through some rain. Saw a goose sculpture.

Have a gander at this

Another 107 miles completed until we needed to stop for fuel at Dickinson, another place we had stayed with dad. Ann complained that she was really tired. I pointed out she was in the passenger seat and could sleep at any point. She said she couldn't as she had to stay awake to make sure I stayed awake. Had another quick drink before setting off on our final stint.

Finally turned off the I94 at Belfield and then headed north. Landscape suddenly changed as we saw the rocky features of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Made it to Watford City by just before 6pm having done another 85 miles, a total of 598 miles for the day. Checked in to the Comfort Inn and Suites. 

Decided to pop for dinner at the Little Missouri Grille, mainly as there is not much of a choice. Roffe-Knightley effect has resurfaced as we it was empty when we walked in and five minutes later it was full. Service was good as was the food. I had a grilled cheese and fries. Ann had something. It was another case of eating where the locals eat is a good sign. Lots of cowboy hats and big trucks on show.

Back to the hotel to watch Everton against Man United in the last Summer Series match. It finished 2-2. Everton were slightly better. Probably because we weren't there.

Ann now asleep as I'm not driving.

States visited - 9