Our departure point – Williston ND – is the center of the fracking frenzy that has brought oil dollars to North Dakota the last few years, as oil companies tap into the Bakken formation. The peak time of building infrastructure has passed, but word is that production is continuing to rise.
Leaving Williston and travelling east on Hwy 1804 one couldn’t avoid noticing all the pump pads and small processing plants along the way. Everything looks new and in great shape, reflecting the latest approaches to pump pad layouts and design. The route was scenic with gentle sweepers.
Arriving in New Town we modified our plans. Originally we were to backtrack west on hwy 23 and then take hwy 22 south to Kildeer, and then east again following the southern shore of Lake Sakakawea (a reservoir along the Missouri River). However, we notices signs for the “Lewis and Clark Trail” and followed that instead. This route took us east from New Town to Parshall, then south and then east on 1804 along the north shore of the lake.
After refueling in Garrison, we went in search of a coffee shop. It was Sunday so the town was all but dead but it did boast of a malt shop that was opened that served our needs.
Following Garrison, we picked up hwy 83 and headed south, arriving in Bismarck in good time.