18-22AUG07 - Minot, ND (saga continues)

As we sit in the parking lot of Westlie Truck, we are receiving a crash course on “Dry Camping 101”. Dry Camping in the RV world is camping in a location that does not have “utilities” (electricity, water, sewage, or access to fuel or LPG). This can be as simple and short as spending the night in a parking lot or rest stop; or weeks or months in remote areas like Bureau of Land Management wilderness areas.

Whether short or long, when RV’ers dry camp it is a planned event, and they insure they have the necessary supplies like full fuel and water, and empty sewage tanks! In addition, people who dry camp have a means to replenish; such as driving into town once a week to resupply, or in more popular areas there are mobile service providers who bring you supplies and take your sewage. Unfortunately, we did not plan on this and have had to scramble to stay in our RV in the middle a dirt parking lot. We were able to obtain a full tank of water (normally we travel with very little water onboard) from the repair shop. By talking to various RV dealers in the area, we have also located businesses that will deliver fuel, and one that removes sewage ($40 per visit!). We next need find a place to stay with dog, when the rig goes in for repair tomorrow, 23AUG. We have burned up the phone lines (or rather our excess cell phone minutes) "negotiating" between our after market warranty insurance and the repair facility. This has not been a smooth or easy process, and hopefully tomorrow we will see real progress on getting the damage fixed!!!

While waiting for an estimate on the extent of damage and cost of repairs, we have done some sightseeing that we couldn’t do during our last stay in Minot. For example, we checked out the Scandinavian Heritage Park. It is a small park built entirely with volunteer efforts and donations to display some of the heritage of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark; as well as a research center for Scandinavians who immigrated to the northern plains area of the USA.

http://www.scandinavianheritage.org/

We found it a very enjoyable morning and informative. Dan asked one of the docents where one could sample any type of Scandinavian food in Minot? Turns out there is not one restaurant that has anything Scandinavian. Such food is usually cooked at home for the families. The one time such food is available for the public is during Norsk Hostfest in October. Hostfest is the largest Scandinavian festival in the country.

http://www.hostfest.com/