#2: [24-May-24]

27-May-2002 -- I departed 48°N 99°W and drove south towards this confluence. I found eight ticks on me after my last hike. Every time I itch I think it’s another tick. My "Check Engine" light came on not long after I left and my engine started spitting and sputtering. I stopped at the nearest town to see what the problem was. Since it was Memorial Day, there were no auto shops open. I checked my owner’s manual and it said the light comes on for three reasons: 1) you’re out of gas, 2) the gas is of poor quality, or 3) the gas cap isn’t screwed on good. It had to be number 2, so I bought some gas treatment and that solved my problem. The light didn’t go out, but it stopped missing.

I was able to drive to within a half mile of the confluence and hiked across a plowed field the rest of the way. The fields in this area appear to be much more fertile than anywhere else I’ve been so far this trip. The soil is dark and rich looking. There are still a lot of rocks mixed in, left over from when the glaciers retreated.

This visit wasn’t very eventful. I guess I needed that after busting my nose on the last visit. It had swelled up; I sort of looked like a boxer who just lost a match. (So much for my dream of becoming a male model.) This made my 20th attempt and my 17th successful visit in 9 days with 3 more to go. I drove west in the direction of the next one, 47°N 100°W, and stayed at North Country Lodge in Medina, ND. If you ever want to get away from it all, that’s the place to go.

Danny Strickland
www.artgaga.com