Our site at Audubon Lake
Avalyn by the Flax Field
Canada Geese Family (you may have to click on the photo to see them)
Golden Finch
Murray's Whopper - Of course I mean the fish (45" Northern Pike)About one hour north of the North Dakota capital city of Bismarck is our favourite camping location in all of USA. Our site is right on Audubon Lake, and although we only have electricity hookup and no water or sewer connections, we just love the location. The minute you pull in you feel yourself relax. Each spring a new family of Canada geese are born and greet our arrival. This year we counted 36 gliding across the lake with almost military precision. This campground is adjacent to a National Wildlife Reserve and consequently watching the birdlife here is a daily pleasure. Redwing Blackbirds, robin red breasts and golden finches are frequent visitors.
Besides the beautiful landscape of North Dakota with its fields of rolling hay, yellow canola or blue flax, the people themselves are a pleasure to be with. North Dakotans are renowned for being friendly and our encounters have confirmed it. Mind you, the wonderful people we have met from all states of the USA have been the highlight of our travels as I have said before. Having our Aussie flag on the front of our RV also attracts conversation from strangers which we encourage. It was great to re-unite with our friends Avalyn & Wes. We met them on our first visit to this campground in 2007, then spent time with them again both at the campground here and at a visit to their home nearby in 2008. During the six months each year when we are back in Australia, Avalyn and I stay in touch and email each other every few weeks. On this trip Wes & Murray went out fishing in Wes's boat and caught some lovely walleye fish - hard to beat fresh walleye for dinner. Sadly for us, a few days after we arrived Wes had to return to town as he is a taxidermist and he had received several phone calls from excited fisherman who had caught some very large walleye that needed mounting!
On our last visit to this campground we met Kathy & Milt Sayler, a very nice couple who live in the nearby town of Underwood. Milt offered to take Murray out in his boat on Friday, and Murray hit the jackpot, pulling in a 45" Northern Pike. He was quite excited as you can imagine. Brenda, a reporter for the local paper got wind of the catch and she called out to do an interview with Murray. We are eagerly awaiting to see the published article.
The ND State Fair is on at the moment, and we are hoping to head up there with Avalyn & Wes early this coming week. Our other North Dakotan friends from our ranch experience last year will be there, so we are looking forward to seeing Amanda, Clint and their 4 daughters. As well as seeing them at the Fair, we will attend a rodeo on Thursday evening that Clint organises and appears in at the fairgrounds. Photos of the fair & rodeo on the next blog. However I had better get this entry uploaded or Joe Bill will be ringing asking what is taking me so long!
