Day Fourteen: Oil!

So we said "goodbye" to one of the most beautiful views we will probably be lucky enough to see. I tried to get some pictures at sunset (9:59pm!) and sunrise, but was only able to snap a few before the mosquitoes reclaimed their land. It's sad to leave but if I'm being honest - a disappointment to be there. How cruel: a beautiful view, a wrap-around porch, but with so many mosquitoes, you are trapped inside. Well, we have some excitement ahead of us: the great state of Montana. The land surrounding Williston seems to be oil country. Sometimes there is one derrick standing all by it's lonesome, other times there are many in sight. I have little idea how they really work but it is fascinating to think about the science. How were derricks created? How was the oil discovered underneath? Though I know their presence is controversial - their mechanics offer a gentle lullaby, like a metronome but without the sound. During this drive, we started noticing changes in the land. Farms with green flourishing crops started changing to drier land, farmed only with additional irrigation. This we have labeled "prairie". Without the irrigation, it looks like this is where cattle can roam - but it isn't dry enough to call desert. I could do more research but keeping my eyes open and being present with our surroundings and talking through our theories has been far more fun. Because we didn't want to dilly dally in mosquito-ville, we arrived into Glasgow, MT earlier than check in. Luckily, I called ahead and they were able to accommodate us. Checking in and out is always a process. There is so much stuff for all 3 of us to "live like we are home". Luckily, the process should be easier moving forward by myself but I'll still have so many things I can't leave in the hot car. To think, I thought most of the trip was going to be cooler than Pennsylvania because we were heading towards mountains and North! After checking in, we explored the walkable town. They boast they are "the middle of nowhere". A cute slogan taken on by many of the local businesses. Makes you wonder who came up with it and how did it catch on. The heat held us back from doing more, but we ended the night at a local brewery that pleased Alex. Ask him about an "Oil Spill".