July 5 - Fort Buford State Park, Williston, ND

As we drove to our next destination, we saw fields of canola growing and came upon this decoration at a roundabout. 

Sometimes we decide on a route based on what our Passport Book of National sites tells us. That’s what we did today. 

We left Saco Montana (mainly because the mosquitoes kept us inside) and drove about 4 hours to visit the Fort Union Trading Post in Williston, North Dakota. Fort Union Trading Post was the most important trading post on the upper Missouri River for 39 years, longer than any other post on the frontier. It was the center of a peaceful economic and social exchange between Plains Indians and white cultures. 

We decided to stay at Fort Buford State Park, which is at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. When we arrived, there was a wedding at the visitors center. They told us we could stay for the wedding but we chose not to. Quite an interesting place for a wedding. 

The mosquitoes weren’t as bad here as previously but there were still some buzzing around. 

Drove into Williston and just happened on a brewery, the Twisted Knuckle. We enjoyed tasting several different kinds, especially the In A Pickle Beer. You’re supposed to have it with tomato juice. 

You could definitely smell the pickle in it and taste it. 

Tomorrow we’ll continue moving south and east to pick up yet one more national site.