The cows are always interested in me.

I think this photo might make for an interesting puzzle. I find the herds in North Dakota stay closer together than the ones further west, which spread out more. I suppose it’s because the grazing is better here and the cows don’t have to scrounge so much to find good grass. By the way Llamas also watch me, but sheep seem indifferent.

Favorable roads and weather today, but I think the last three days might have worn me down a bit. Anyway todays ride was quite a bit easier than the last three. There was a detour where the road was closed where it crossed under I-94 as the bridge was being rebuilt. I tried to sneak through the closed road, but the construction gang was working on Sunday and they turned me back.

The official detour would have had me going west on I-94, so I pulled up some maps on my phone and found a couple of dirt roads that got me past the roadblock.

The dirt roads worked out OK. I’ve used this bike for gravel riding the past, but not when it’s loaded down and on road tires. I only hit one soft spot that nearly sent me tumbling, but I managed to stay upright.

I have noticed very early on in this adventure, when on almost any quiet road that birds seem to be unusually vocal. Except for man, mammals mostly are very quiet. Most reptiles make little to no sound. True frogs are heard croaking, but the vast majority of reptiles and amphibians are silent. Except for cicadas and crickets, the same can be said about insects. Why is it then that vast majority of bird species can be found and identified by their call alone?

I’m camped at Glen Ullin City Park after 52 miles of riding today. Total is 1446. About 60 left to reach Bismarck. The weather forecast looks decent, so I should be able to see my cousin tomorrow evening. I’m looking forward to that as we haven’t seen each other in a lot of years.