Elkhorn Ranch

This January saw tempuratures in Medora drop down to -34...twice, we've gotten snow dumped on us by the foot, and now we're exiting a week of 40-degree weather (annual January thaw).  Assuming pleasant company might be reading this, all I have to say is WTH?!

We started off the year with a visitor (yes, it is possible to get here without a dogsled).  Nathan's dad, Allan, came to celebrate the New Year and participate in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, the world's oldest citizen's science project.  What did we turn around and immediately make him do?  Hike 1.5 hours through 1.5 feet of snow in -14 degree weather to the park's seldom-visited (and I'm guessing almost-never visited in the winter) third unit: Theodore Roosevelt's former residence: The Elkhorn Ranch.

New Year's Eve Blue Moon

Many attribute Theodore Roosevelt's time in the North Dakota Badlands as the birthplace of his conservation ethic.  That's an incredible place to witness given he was a man who went on to set aside more acres of land in this country for preservation than any other president.  Theodore Roosevelt spent, combined, about a year ranching cattle in these parts, but the experience stuck with him for a lifetime.

I had never been to the Elkhorn Ranch, mostly because we don't have a vehicle that will safely navigate the road there - especially in winter.  With Allan's Jeep we were able to just barely make it.  The way there is pretty well marked, but instead of street signs and landmarks, you have this - directions by way of who lives where. 

I have to say the 1.5 hours outside was, in retrospect, very worth it.  One of my favorite things to do is to stand silent in a place steeped in history and imagine what life was like "back then".  Here, I was transported to a rocking chair "in the hot noontide hours of midsummer [on] the broad ranch veranda, always in the shade".  I could have really used that hot noontide summer at the time.

 

Elkhorn Ranch House Cornerstone

Don't worry if you aren't able to make it to the Elkhorn Ranch.  You can still learn all about it by listening to this audio clip!  You might recognize the voice behind Theodore Roosevelt's lines.  Amazing place, amazing time to be alive!