MEANDERINGS

This post is a compilation of stuff that didn't fit any place else.

Notes to friends and relatives:

• Adam:  2070 miles, 27.4 mpg.  Most of the interstate driving is at 75 mph.  I have the econ button on, but the speedometer bars are half green, half white.  I am sure a slower speed would be more fuel efficient.  The car is doing well.
• Charlie: at the Heritage Center in Bismarck I saw reference to the Metis and thought of you.  I looked for a book on the subject, but according the research librarian, one does not exist.
• Fred:  the local lambchops with rosemary and garlic sauce were fabulous in Miles City.
• Shawna; I hope your students are enjoying the photos
• Myself:  return to North Dakota to visit the Lewis and Clark sites and horseback ride in the badlands

The C'mon Inn in Fargo, ND:  I was skeptical of the hotel, just because of the name, though it looked o.k. on the internet.  Turns out this chain is in Montana as well.  The rooms center around a two story atrium with trees and tables and lounge chairs and hot tubs.  An indoor pool is just off to the side.  A simple buffet dinner was available to all guests. I totally enjoyed the pool and hot tub! I was pleasantly surprised with the entire place.

Fargo was my first night by myself since I left home a week ago.  So, I took the opportunity to restock my snacks and veggies in the car.  The only problem was I didn't see anything that looked like a grocery store or had a name I recognized.  I finally asked at Culver's while I was enjoying my frozen custard with raspberries.  The clerk rattled off the name of a couple of stores, but also pointed to a Wal-Mart nearby.  I opted for that, since it had groceries and I didn't have to struggle to find it.  Besides the grocery stores not being recognizable, most of the gas brands are different as well. And across North Dakota, any gas stations are few and far between.

In Miles City, at the recommendation of the B&B owner, I had dinner at the Rib and Chop House.  As I scanned the menu, intending to try something local, I found fried green tomatoes, Louisiana jambalaya, and gumbo.  Not exactly what I had in mind.  Most of the other things were the same as what I can get at home:  steaks, pork chops, shrimp, ribs, and such.  The menu said the lamb chops were local; being a lamb lover, that seemed like a logical choice.  The chops were sizzling hot, with a fabulous garlic and rosemary sauce.

In the cities and towns I've been in so far, I find most of the stores are exactly the same stores we have at home.  In a way, it seems more and more difficult to find regional differences in some things.  The hotel and restaurant brands are mostly the same as well.  The advantage is you know what to expect.  The disadvantage is that the experiences are always the same. I am staying in B&B's for the main purpose of meeting people and learning more about the local areas.  And for dinners I am determined to eat in new places.

We're caught up now!!Another post will follow shortly.