From Fergus Falls MN to Jamestown ND
Distance Traveled: 152 miles
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| Fergus Falls with overcast skies |
Today is the last travel day
to the wagon train adventure. I awoke to
rain and mist and it was a challenge getting ready for the day. First task, taking down the soaking wet bug
net and putting it away was finally accomplished and I headed to McDonald's for wifi and breakfast.
From there it was time to get
on I-94 west to Fargo.
Here I stopped at Sam’s club
and this one actually had a gas pump!!!
I also stopped for a slice of pizza lunch. Then time to drive the final stretch to
Jamestown North Dakota.
I settled into the Jamestown Motel
around 3 pm and spent the afternoon relaxing and getting ready for the coming
week on the Wagon Train. I made sure to
really enjoy the last night of comfort in a real bed.
I also paused to reflect on
the summer solstice, the longest day of the year with the shortest hours of
darkness. Tomorrow is the first day of summer!
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| road map from Fergus Falls to Jamestown |
Day 7
Jamestown ND - Klaus Park to Fort Seward
Distance traveled: 3 miles
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| View to James River in Jamestown ND |
I awoke refreshed and ready
for adventure. After a simple breakfast
I was on the road to Klaus Park where I enjoyed the peace of the James river flowing
by, while reading and appreciating the beautiful day.
Today begins a week of no
technology as I endeavor to appreciate what pioneer travel by wagon train felt
like. Do I experience wifi and internet
withdrawal? Yes I do. Will there be too much thinking time? Can I fill the silence with meditation and
mindfulness? Will other forms of
entertainment or pass times fill the gap?
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| Final Registration for the Wagon Train Adventure |
After my picnic lunch I headed
to Fort Seward and the final registration for the Wagon Train adventure.
The afternoon progressed smoothly with
unpacking and setting up camp site for the evening,
meeting and getting to know
other hardy adventurous people, and watching the wagons and horse teams
arriving.
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| The wagons start arriving |
We had our first sample of
wagon train dinning with dinner served at 7 pm.
I enjoyed the roast beef on a bun, the salad, and beans and rice crispy
squares for dessert. This is not real
pioneer grub! I think they would consider
this a feast!
At 8 pm the orientation
meeting started and unfortunately the skies turned dark and the thunderheads
promised a storm was brewing. We learned
the proper form for getting in and out of a moving wagon. The wagons do not stop for this and so it is
necessary to learn the art of doing so while the horses continue pulling
forward.
We learned that we have to
check the chuck wagon for KP duties. My
job tomorrow is unloading the baggage wagon in the evening.
Now as the sky progressively got darker with rain clouds, as well as night fall, it
was time to settle in for the night. And
then the storm arrived. The rain was
pouring and pounding on my tent roof. The
wind was pushing at the nylon canvas and I fear being blow to Kansas! The thunder and lightning, oh my! I
tried to get some sleep, wondering if I would remain dry in this deluge. Between the noise and the worry I did not
sleep well until finally at 4 pm the worst of the storm passed and in the
ensuing quiet I finally got a few hours of rest.
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| My home for the next several days |
Renate Dundys Marrello
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