Following the Missouri River on Motorcycle

I arrived in Bismarck Friday evening with my friends Bruce and Mark. We had ridden 475 miles that day, and arrived in town in time to check into the hotel, walk down to Buffalo Wild Wings a couple of blocks away for a good meal, have some beers and to take in a pre-season NFL football game.

After breakfast on day two of our trip, we headed south on North Dakota State Highway 1804 which runs along the east side of the Missouri River. Our destination was Mobridge South Dakota.

There's also another highway which runs along the west side of the river, State Highway 1806. Both highways are called the Lewis and Clark Trail in honor of the explorers 1804-1806 expedition, which followed the Missouri River. To re-live their adventure through their journal click here .


Saturday was a great day for riding. Blue sky and temperatures in the 70s. As we headed south along the river it looked like a painting you might see in an art gallery. Rolling hills of prairie grass and buffalo, along with fields of sunflowers and wheat lined the river banks.You could see for miles.


About 125 miles south of Bismarck we made it to Mobridge with very little gasoline to spare. After refueling we went across the street to the local Dairy Queen for some ice cream. After finishing our ice cream we put our helmets and sunglasses , got on the motorcycles and headed west across the river. About 5 miles south is the site overlooking the Missouri River and Lake Oahe. This is where Sitting Bull is buried and a monument stands which is a tribute to Sakakawea for her part as a guide and translator in the Lewis and Clark expedition.




After spending some time there, it was now about 5:30pm on day two and daylight was burning. I put my leather jacket on and we took off again. We had 100 miles to go to be in Aberdeen S.D. by night fall, and still needed to find a hotel when we got there and have supper.



As we headed west on U.S. Highway 12, there was nothing in front of us but farm fields, prairie grass and a 20 mph wind from the south. The ground so flat you could see the next town to the east from 10 miles away. We arrived in Aberdeen about 7:15pm. Put more fuel in and search the town for a hotel and a good place to get a steak.

After supper we parked the motorcycles and walked to a tavern near by to have a couple of beers and chat with some of the locals. All the people we meet were friendly and enjoyable to talk with. It was getting late so we decided we better head back to the hotel. We wanted to be on the road early the next day.

Day three started by cleaning some of the bugs off my windshield that I had acquired during the trip. I knew it was useless to clean them all off my bike, since I had another 230 miles to ride. I wanted at least get my windshield clean.

After leaving Aberdeen on U.S. Highway 12 east bound again, I couldn't wait to get home so I could clean my bike, write my blog and get ready for my next adventure. I logged 980 miles on this trip. I wonder will my next trip will take me.