USA4CT - Ride Day 21 - June 18, 2013 - Tue

Start Time: 0630 CDT
Stop Time: 1800 CDT
Start Location: Williston, ND
Stop Location: Superior, WI
Lodging: Best Western
Dinner: The Shack
Miles Traveled Today: 617
Weather: 52-80-57, Sunny

We were kinda glad to get up early and head out of Williston, ND. I guess this must have been what the California Gold Rush was like back in the 1800's. We stopped to get gas in eastern Montana and a local told us to watch our and be careful the closer we got to Williston. Really did not expect what we did encounter there!! I would have to say I am glad I came through the area and personally witnessed all the business activity going on there, but we were so glad to get out of the area and head on east. Sure don't plan to go back to Williston anytime soon. If you need a job, looks like that is the place to be!!

Here was one of the many oil wells going into production. Most of them were venting and burning off the gas as in this one.

This was a typical picture of all the highways/streets in Williston. Even had temporary stop lights installed on wooden poles at many intersections due to the truck traffic. We made the mistake this morning of not stopping on the right side of the road for gas and had to cross over to the left side to a gas station. Didn't think we would ever get pulled back out on the highway going east!!

Lots of construction of temporary housing, i.e. "mancamps" everywhere. They even had temporary "mobile motels".

EVERYTHING was expensive too. The highest price we paid for premium gas was in Williston, ND. Even higher than California!! ($4.59 a gallon). Kinda ironic that gas/oil was so expensive there with the oil/gas boom going on!!

No doubt it is an economic boom to the town and state and I am sure there are a lot of mixed feelings with the locals there with the huge disruption in their lifestyle.

Lot's of infrastructure going in. Water, sewer, electric lines, roads, etc.!!

Anyway, good to see it, but was really glad to leave this morning!!

No other pictures today. We crossed both North Dakota and Minnesota on US 2 and landed in Superior, Wisconsin for the night. Good day of riding and another 600 mile day! Temperature was a little cool both in the morning and when we arrived in Duluth/Superior. I guess Lake Superior keeps the air temperature cool/cold for awhile in the summer!