American Version of our Melbourne Cup Sweep

After a most enjoyable few days in Bismarck North Dakota and catching up with friends Avalyn and Wes, we made our way north to Fort Stevenson State Park on Lake Sakakawea. Even before we had arrived at the campground, our friend Frieda had invited us to join her and Lenny for a party not far from our campground. The party was arranged and hosted by Eunice, but she is a 'Dish' customer, and recent TV wars meant her Dish Cable Plan no longer provided the channel the horse race was on. So she called on friends Lynette and David and they offered the use of the entertainment section of their Lake (summer) home for the party. Many North Dakotans have a winter home in Arizona or Florida and summer here at home.

Frieda and Lenny arranged to pick us up at the campground at 3.45pm on Saturday as the party started at 4pm. The party was to coincide with the 144th running of a horse race known as the Belmont Stakes, which is the final (third) leg of the US Triple Crown. It is run 5 weeks after the Kentucky Derby and 3 weeks after the Preakness Stakes. It is a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) race for thoroughbreds. Frieda and many of the others were unfamiliar with the 'sweeps' entertainment which us aussies get involved in with the running of our Melbourne Cup race each November. So this was a first for them. At the party we each paid $5 to buy a horse (plastic horses were named according to the horses in the race and placed in a bucket) and it was like a lucky dip. You pulled out a plastic horse and followed it's namesake in the race. My horse was winning all race until it got pipped right at the finish line, so I got a second place and won $15. Not bad for a $5 investment. There were only 11 horses in the race, so each horse had about 3 names against it! As in our sweep day activities at home, there was a prize for the Best Ladies Hat, but here there was also a prize for the Best Man's Hat. Everyone bought drinks and something to contribute to the feast, and the hostess also made an impressive 'punch' that lived up to its name. It sure packed a punch! Thanks Eunice. The food seemed to be never ending - lots of appetisers followed by more than enough ribs and other hot dishes for the main course, and some delectable desserts. It was an enjoyable 4 hours of entertainment. 

Friends arrive at the Lake House for the Party

Picking our horses out of the bucket

Frieda and I didn't win but she did a good job with our hats

Waiting for the race on TV, Murray on far right with Frieda

On the way home from the party it was still light (it gets dark around 9.30pm) so Lenny took us for a drive to show us how low the lake was

compared to last year. We also checked out both marinas. I noted the free offer of life jackets for kids - the same 'Loaner Station' is at Lake Audubon. What a commendable initiative. Trust is an admirable human trait, so it was indicative of the integrity of the local population to note that all life jackets had been returned after use. 

Today is Sunday and although mainly overcast and cooler, the sun has just come out and it is a glorious day. Most of our camping neighbours have left, so we almost have this huge park to ourselves. There are 2 marinas here, one on either side of the campground, but Murray is saving himself for fishing at Audubon Lake where we will move to tomorrow. We expect to stay there at least one week, maybe two. We have enjoyed our walks here each day, and I couldn't resist taking this photo of a local Robin Red Breast. Not quite as pretty as my favourite Red Cardinals though...