Bishop Bike Adventure Day 27 July 27, 2010

After nearly two weeks, we have finally passed through Montana, with many thoughts and memories as we enter the central time zone and North Dakota. We now find ourselves in oil producing country. We were welcomed here by Tim and Laurie, cattle ranchers who live north of the high line. Laurie and Debbie go back to the 80’s in Colorado--both are teachers.

During the day, we were prompted to take an alternative route that would help us avoid some hills and traffic. Once on this route, Debbie lost the nozzle to her Camelbak, which threw us into a state of organized panic. A Camelbak is one of our best assets as it allows us to hydrate continuously while biking. What was most interesting was that just as we had accepted the loss, such as we had done several days ago with the bolt and washer holding on her rear rack, we miraculously located the proverbial needle in the haystack. So our only loss was a small amount of time.

While on that road, we became Good Samaritans by loaning a cell phone to a Native American whose vehicle had become disabled. He was walking three miles back to his house with a small child in tow. He was very appreciative and we parted as friends.

The accompanying picture of a white cross was a common feature on the roads of Montana. These “markers” are posted where highway fatalities occurred, a sober reminder of the danger of high speeds and inattention.

Once into North Dakota, the oil exploration activity became readily apparent. We saw an operating well beside the road and felt the breeze from many of the oil service vehicles speeding by. We ate supper in Williston, and shortly thereafter rendez-voused on Highway 2 with Tim and Laurie, who took the time to show us some oil operations and family land before taking us to their home. Oil activity in this area occurred in the 1980’s until the price of oil cratered. It has been running at breakneck speed in recent years, with the number of operating wells soon to eclipse the count in the 80’s. Technology improvements are also allowing the wells to be drilled much more efficiently than in the past.

As we traversed the fields, the North Dakota sunset was beautiful. The landscape was then marked by everlasting flames burning off the natural gas by-product of the oil pumping process. The flames dotted the horizon amid fields of grain.