Mountain time and a monastery

Monday, June 23 (Day 38)

Distance: 83.5 mph

Average speed: 9.5 mph

Max: 20.9

Total: 2260 miles

Weather: mostly sunny with scattered clouds and a short burst of heavy rain. 7-17 mph headwind

I woke up wanting to stay asleep, having slept poorly, but got up and ready and said farewell to my fantastic hosts Ron and Joyce. Ron reminded me that the delicious fish we had last night was Walleye. 

I have been entered into their book of memories. And they into mine!

Leaving Bismark, I passed the Bank of North Dakota, which Ron explained to be is the only state owned bank in the United States.

Then I crossed the Missouri River.

Soon I had to get on the interstate, for lack of better roads. It's hard to believe any road to be worse than the interstate, but the alternative was busy with big rigs and had no shoulder, while I am "protected" from vehicles on the interstate by a large shoulder and rumble strip.

I had to focus on the road because I couldn't allow another fall to happen like last time, and was reminded of things you notice on a bike and not in a car. Was this a murder count or mile marker?

There was a fancy rest area with wifi!

And I crossed into a new time zone!

In spite of being on the interstate, cows still notice me but not cars.

I seem to have finally entered the Wild West with this town that has a trading post and places like this.

I was told by Ron and Joyce that the monastery in this town takes in touring cyclists, so I timidly approached this massive beautiful church and made my request. 

The monks were incredibly nice. They put me in a room with its own bathroom and made sure I had food!

I went to their evening singing and prayer services inside the unbelievable church and it was almost meditative.

One of the monks is very friendly and talkative and he took me to their kitchen to have ice cream and let me ask him a barrage of questions. There are two monks here (of 35) in their nineties who have been here over 75 years! They are having trouble getting new monks and have to close certain businesses they had in the past such as their boarding school and livestock farm.