Coast2Coast Day 36:  Fort Thompson (Left Tailrace Campground) to Snake Creek Recreation Area, SD;  Lots of corn, soybean, wheat and oats, plus one flat (this time not Daniel’s)!

After camping in one of South Dakota’s state parks, we are sold on their friendliness and cleanliness!  Thanks to Lori, Rick and others at Left Tailrace!  We were again greeted with a friendly ‘Hello!’  The camp attendant at Snake Creek for today was Justin, and he succinctly directed us to where Cathy was waiting, with refreshing re-hydration drinks.  But let me return to our riding experience for the day.

After a fantastic breakfast of blueberry pancakes and bacon, Daniel and I were off on our two-wheeled, self-propelled vehicles.  We finished crossing the Missouri River, and after a few quick blocks in Fort Thompson, we turned right onto BIA Route 4 entering the Crow Foot Reservation.  We rode along with great views of the Missouri, its width and grandeur were stunning this morning.  We had a few climbs after leaving the Reservation, with a downhill into Chamberlain.

We passed the St. Joseph’s Indian School before stopping at the North Bay One Stop.  DeNell provided friendly attention, and an endorsement of our choice to stay at Snake Creek.  (He might have a slight bias, as he grew up near Snake Creek.)  Also, in the store was a teacher from St. Joseph’s.  I (brashly) inquired as to whether the school had been bothered by the relatively recent negative coverage of the Federal Indian Schools.  She shared that St. Joseph’s is not a Federal school, and has always been a school where parents would enroll their children.  (The controversy with the Federal schools had to do with the apprehension of youth, and forcing them to be indoctrinated in the predominantly white/European culture.)

After ‘climbing’ out of Chamberlain, we were surrounded by LARGE fields of corn, soybeans, wheat and oats.  We were definitely being sensitized to some of what we will be seeing as we cross Iowa!

As we approached Snake Creek, and were about 10 miles from Snake Creek, we had a flat tire.  This time it was my rear tire, not Daniel’s!  While I was changing out the tube, the local farmer saw my bike upside down (usually a sign of distress).  He parked his tractor, and came by to ask what was going on and whether we needed assistance.  We didn’t need assistance, but he assisted unasked.  It was Ray Tegeoff (pronounced Take-it-Off).  He’s been a farmer for 67 years, and had the fields on the East and West of the road!  He was surprised that both Daniel and I were expecting to finish our journeys on the East Coast, and commented that we are crazy.  We responded that ‘Aren’t you a farmer, calling us crazy?’  It was all a good-natured exchange, and wished each other well!

We went on to the Snake Creek Recreation Area, lunched on rotisserie chicken, potato salad and coleslaw.  Daniel did visit the shoreline to discover a 150 meter beach.  After naps and showers we attended to our bikes, looking forward to the quick ~900 foot climb from the campground, crossing back to the ‘right bank’ (aka West bank) of the Missouri for our ride tomorrow.

Cathy treated us to a dinner of pasta primavera, garlic bread and lemon poundcake.  While dining, we observed a young girl, seemingly with perpetual motion, use every different slide on the playground adjacent to our campsite.  (There are at least four different slides to the equipment!).  She did resist, when pulled away for her dinner and bedtime.  We continue to have that energy and persistence of youth as we ‘glide’ across the Country’s terrain.  

We continue to be amazed and appreciate those that come by to ask what we are doing, and how they may be of assistance.  Peace!  (See Maya Angelou.)