Leaving the Black Hills of South Dakota behind, we set our sights on North Dakota and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The drive carried us into wide-open prairie landscapes, where the sky seemed to stretch forever. Our reward for the journey? A park alive with wildlife and rugged scenery that made us feel like we’d stepped back into the Old West.

We spotted wild horses grazing in the distance, their manes blowing in the wind as they moved gracefully across the hillsides. Buffalo roamed close to the road, commanding respect with their sheer size and presence. As evening fell, the park put on a show—sunsets streaked in pinks, oranges, and purples, painting the badlands in a way that no camera could truly capture.

That night, we rounded out the experience in Medora with the famous Medora Musical. Under the open sky, surrounded by buttes and starlight, we were treated to music, dancing, and a good dose of cowboy spirit. It was the perfect finale to our North Dakota stay.

From there, we turned north and west, crossing Montana. We stopped in Havre, a small town with a frontier feel, just in time for a dramatic reminder of nature’s power. A sudden, violent storm swept through—thunder cracking overhead, lightning flashing, and winds that shook the RV. It was over as quickly as it began, but it left us wide-eyed and grateful for sturdy shelter.

The next day, we pressed on toward the Canadian border. Crossing into Alberta felt like turning the page in our adventure. Our destination was Fort MacLeod, where we found a quiet riverfront RV site. After the chaos of the storm, the calm of the flowing river was a welcome change. Sitting outside by the water, the prairie breeze in our faces, we knew this was the kind of moment we’d remember long after the miles had faded. We also visited a Buffalo Jump and the Fort for which the town was names!

Travel isn’t just about the destinations—it’s about the contrasts. From wild horses to wild weather, from musical performances to riverside peace, this leg of our journey gave us it all.