Today I discovered that wind speed in North Dakota means something different to the cycle tourist than in other areas. With nearly no trees and fairly flat terrain what would be a negligible head wind somewhere else was a serious obstacle to my forward progress. This had me out on the road for longer than I wanted to be and expending more energy than on other days when I covered more ground.
The only shade I could find to eat lunch in was on a sidewalk next to a building. Mexican PB&J on the menu today.
I woke to the reality that in this area of North Dakota finding sources of water for someone traveling like me was pretty hard. There were stretches with no gas stations, restaurants or even houses. I had a water filter but all the water was in Prairie Potholes that had 30 yards of cattails around them that I would have to wade through to get to the water. I ran out of water towards the end of the day and got off the road into a small community. At the main intersection I was looking around for some place or someone I might be able to get water from when I saw a pickup truck coming towards me. I held up my water bottle while he pulled up to the stop sign. He was on his way to work, I believe he worked for US Customs at a border crossing. He said he would call his wife who was at their home down the road a block and she would bring some water out. He said just stop at the church (where they lived). When I got to the Church, their son came out with some water to fill my bottles. I was so thankful to find these nice folks when I needed help. Thank you!
After 74 miles fighting the wind I was glad to see the campground.
Slow and Steady 
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