Varied Skies

It is an incalculable added pleasure to any one’s sum of happiness if he or she grows to know, even slightly and imperfectly, how to read and enjoy the wonder-book of nature. — Theodore Roosevelt

Much of what we have enjoyed, and will enjoy, on this trip we owe to the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt to preserve God’s creation. Branded the Conservationist President, TR created the U.S. Forest Service and sought to protect the nation’s natural resources by establishing 150 National Forests, 5 National Parks, and 18 National Monuments. Wildly charismatic, TR led a “strenuous life” marked by personal turmoil, national leadership, and grand adventures.

With that in mind, we left Spearfish, SD, for the badlands of North Dakota and setup camp in Medora, ND. In stark contrast to his later conservationist ways, TR first visited Medora in his early twenties as a wiry, bespectacled, wealthy, Easterner (a “tenderfoot”) with the express purpose of hunting buffalo before they went extinct. He bagged one of the few remaining buffalo (the head still resides on a wall in his Sagamore Hill home on Long Island, NY) and made plans to establish a ranch in the area.

Tragedy struck TR in February 1884 when his mother and wife died 10 hours apart in the same house. TR immersed himself in work and spent much of the next several years in the Medora area ranching along the muddy Little Missouri River. “It was [there] that the romance of my life began.” TR developed an appreciation for the land and its animals and the need for conservation. TR’s ranch now lies within the confines of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which stands as tribute to the man and his ideals.

We enjoyed our stay in Medora and our visits to TR’s National Park. We dined at the historic Rough Rider hotel. The kids enjoyed the new western-themed playground.

The entrance to TR National Park is conveniently close to downtown Medora.

After touring the visitor center, we hiked the Wind Canyon trail and were rewarded with sweeping views of the muddy Little Missouri River.

At TR National Park you can’t just say “Little Missouri River” it is always “the muddy Little Missouri River.”  Likewise, you can’t just call a cottonwood tree by its name, it is always “a brittle cottonwood.”

We saw deer, rabbit, bison, and horses on our trip around the park while enjoying the great views.

We also visited TR’s original ranching cabin.

One cannot be exposed to the force that was TR without learning that he eagerly and routinely shared his views about the nation and the spirit of men. The question naturally arises, “what would TR think of our trip?”

Life is a great adventure…accept it in such a spirit. — Theodore Roosevelt

In the eyes of this fairly conservative, “do it by the book,” guy, our trip across the U.S. is a great adventure. While not on the scale of TR’s exploration of the Amazon or his big game hunts in Africa, no question exists that we have departed from the norm and are working outside our comfort zone.  Moreover, TR appreciated and valued his frequent trips to the natural wonders of the U.S.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. — Theodore Roosevelt

Recognizing that people come from different backgrounds and experiences, TR believed in making the most of what you have. We are fortunate to have the means and the opportunity to make this trip happen. We will continue to strive to make the most of it.

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat. — Theodore Roosevelt

The decision to make this trip and disrupt our comfortable way of life was not an easy one. Obstacles and uncertainties abound. But the spark for adventure could not be ignored. I am confident that, whatever transpires, our family will emerge from this adventure stronger, smarter, and with an enhanced appreciation for all that this country and life offers.

I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife; to preach that highest form of success which comes, not to the man who desires mere easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from bitter toil, and who out of these wins the splendid ultimate triumph. — Theodore Roosevelt

Leading a “strenuous life” does not require physical labor. TR considered the pursuit of knowledge, exploration, and adventure a “strenuous life.” Yeah, sure, but isn’t your trip just an extended vacation? It may seem that we are leading an easy life. We are enjoying ourselves. But all this enjoyment requires some work:  trip planning, maintenance, schooling, living in a confined space, meal preparation in a small “kitchen.” Plus, frequent travel can be exhausting, especially when traveling on roads in need of serious maintenance, as is often the case.

If you want to get a sense of what it can be like traveling in a motorhome like ours, get yourself an SUV or minivan and remove the shocks (our motorhome does not have an air ride system like those nice “buses” you see and, while we have shocks and springs like you would find on a truck, they don’t insulate our 12 ton home on wheels from the jarring shocks inflicted by poor roads). Pick up a Little League ball player and hand him a bat and a tray of silverware. Place the silverware on the dash and have the ball player smash the dash with a bat as you drive down the worst road you can find. Now, pick up the rest of the team. Hand them all bats and trays of silverware. Instruct them to rhythmically beat the snot out of everything in sight while you drive down the worst road you can find looking for a gas station with enough room to accommodate a 55-foot long beast that cannot be backed up. When you reach your destination, inspect your vehicle for damage and make a list of all parts needed for repair. Pull out your smartphone and search for a nearby store having the parts you need. While you are at it, search for a dentist that can repair your damaged dental work. Make all necessary repairs. In a few days, do it all again. If not strenuous, it certainly can be stressful, as it was making our way to North Dakota.

In all seriousness, this is not a life of sloth and ease. This is not a vacation, an isolated trip, a short break from the norm, before continuing with our previous existence. Done right, this is one chapter in a life of continued growth and adventure so that we may each say, when the time comes, “mine was a life worth living.”