After checking into our place in Williston we went to dinner and met 2 guys named Jason and Jerry who worked for Ziegler Cat. They are both heavy equipment mechanics working in North Dakota for their Twin City, Minnesota clients who are here for the oil boom. The boom it’s self is unbelievable. There are hundreds of trucks traveling both directions at tremendous speeds on every road it seems like. Roads are disintegrating and the local infrastructure is taxed almost beyond capacity; motel rooms are very very difficult to find and every sort of restaurant is crowded. There are fuel lines at every gas station. The locals are understandably aggravated. But the guys we met last night, Jason and Jerry were very cordial and friendly. The restaurant was crowded and they invited us to share their table. Jerry has 5 kids, Jason is a single guy. They were both interesting and enjoyable to talk to. They even gave us advice to go to Grandmas when we’re in Duluth, Minnesota.
We have known for about a week that we might have problems in this area with a place to stay, so we tried to make reservations. The original plan was to rent a room for Sunday and Monday in Williston, rent a car Monday and continue biking on Tuesday to Stanley. Problem is there is a room for Sunday but absolutely no room in Williston on Monday. Next plan, find a room for 2 nights in Stanley for Monday and Tuesday, drive rental car back to Williston Tuesday morning then ride to Stanley. That works, we set that up. Next problem, where to keep the bikes in Williston? Bike shop? Turns out there are no longer any bike shops in Williston. So I phone the Williston Fire Department, explain our situation and my connection to Fire Service. Tom, the Fire Fighter I’m talking to, is more than willing to help us out. We arrange to bring our bikes by the Station about 9:00 next morning. Once at the Station we meet Tom and three other men on duty for the day; Steve, Dave, and John. They show us around the apparatus floor where they have the very first motorized fire engine in North Dakota. We take pictures of the Fire Fighters and Engine 1. Then have pictures of us in the Engine. Finally they ask about our plans and car. When we say it’s at the airport, they arrange transportation for us! The guys in the Williston Fire Department are great. We owe them a tremendous thanks. After renting the car we drove to Theodore Roosevelt Park to see the Badlands. Great trip. Tonight in Stanley, riding from Williston tomorrow.
Greg