DAY 23 - NEW TOWN, ND TO FORT PECK, MT
JUNE 5, 2014

Another travel day with a twist.  As we were leaving what is so far the prize-winning campground, one rig suffered a flat tire.  Now, there are all sorts of things that can cause a flat tire, but this one takes a top honor.  A wheel from a suitcase - yes, you read it correctly - was laying on the ground.  The problem was the short 3/8 inch diameter axle that was still attached.  It poked into the tire almost exactly in the center of the tread.  Big hole, lots of air whistling out, rim to the ground.

Here is a lesson learned.  The Road Assistance company took 2.5 hours to figure out they did not have any providers that were permitted to work on the Indian Reservation and to say they could not help.  Shortly after that, we found Salazar, who brought his mobile truck to the RV, removed the tire and wheel, repaired the hole and put everything back together.  Too bad there aren't more like Salazar's Truck and Tire Co.

OOPS!!!

Salazar's one-man show.

 

 

Along the way, we all travelled through the "oil boom" area of North Dakota.  There were lots of trucks hauling stuff all directions, and the roads were at times congested.  The countryside is dotted with those woodpecker-looking things that pump oil, and flares burning off released gas were plentiful.  I bet a night drive through there would be impressive.

Look Honey, the hills are on fire.



Making a place for more of those Woodpecker things.

 

 

Will this road lead me out of North Dakota?

 

The confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers was an interesting sight.

Confluence.

 

Two big rivers.

Rivers from ground level.

 

End of the day, we're all safe and sound again.  Just as it should be.  Welcome to Big Sky Country.



Joe and Danni