Today I saw Beauty.
We climbed out of the badlands on to the plains today. Once again the Interstate was really our only option but we were able to see the Teddy Roosevelt National Park Overlook. Quite something to look about as far as the eye can see and picture all the valleys and rises. The rocks are stunning. Teddy Roosevelt was not a perfect man, however I think his work in creating and championing the National Park system has been one of the greatest gifts to our country.
Now that we're climbing on the the plateau of the plains, the landscape has been slowly flattening out again. Our first town of the day was Dickinson. Nothing too exciting, but a wonderful coffee shop stop and a breeze by perhaps one of the most interesting bike shop combinations I've ever seen. Bikes and Chainsaws. I walked inside, and what you'd expect is what I saw. Bikes and Chainsaws. Didn't hang around long as it was to be a long day of riding.
Up next was the first sculpture of the Enchanted Highway. This was a brainchild of an artist who had grown up in the area and wanted to revitalize the local economy. Several large sculptures stretch 32 miles from the interstate down to his home town of Regent, ND. We were able to see the first from the highway and I saw that it was only a half mile out of the way, so I had to go see it. Geese in Flight is what the piece is titled, and it's HUGE. Smaller geese line the driveway up to see it. Quite awe inspiring. Reading a bit of the information around the sculpture I was warmed by the story of him working with local farmers to use their skills of engineering, construction, welding and more to create something this grand. I'm often inspired by that moment where craft meets beauty. The we often can look on farmers are craftspeople. Farmers are artisans. Look as they toil in the fields. Look as they tend their herds. Look at the monuments, they put up as testaments to their skill and pride of the place they call home.
We then stopped at St. Mary's Church and Assumption Abbey in Richardton, ND. 27 monks call this place home. A chance to sit in the grace and presence of God was so welcomed. Peace, calm, and quiet greeted me. The only sound was the gentle trickle of the baptismal font. Light streamed in through hand painted stained glass windows. The art style reminds me of my own home parish, St. Adrian, in Adrian, MN. I asked at the information desk when the church was built. Learned it was just a couple years after St. Adrian so it's possible that the heritage of the glass could be similar.
We ended the town in the little town of Glen Ullin. This was our longest day yet and my legs were ready to be done. Supper was at the local bar and grill called the Wet Spot. Perhaps a little interesting in the naming, but it was a solid philly sandwich. At the end of the day a good sandwich always serves me well.
'till next time
-Matt
Miles Ridden Today: 93.87
Total Miles Ridden: 1,594.8
Feet Climbed Today: 2,776
Total Feet Climbed: 56,746
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