We drove from North Dakota to Montana yesterday, with only brief stops for gas and food. I call these, “commuting days,” and they’re really disorienting.

I’m reminded of an observation that I read years ago, about modern air travel. That guy, an adventure travel writer, pointed out that flying from point A to point B—departing one culture and just hours later, after a couple of reconstituted meals and several cold beverages, finding yourself plunked down amidst an entirely new culture and landscape—makes the transition too abrupt, too jarring. You'd think that traveling overland would adequately address that sense of dislocation, but not if you barely get out of the vehicle.

I feel a little like a floating dandelion seed, drifting from badlands to grasslands to mountain ranges, looking for a place to put down roots. Our roomy (and free!) campsite for the night is wonderful, remote and private; but I yearn for a connection to the people and places that we are passing through.

Eat: Healthy, delicious and organic is an unlikely find on this stretch of road, but the Stix n’ Twigs Cafe in Dickinson, North Dakota made our day with a live music brunch in their cute storefront.

Stay: Located in the Yellowstone Recreation Area, Itch-Kep-Pe Park offers free campsites strung along a gravel road sandwiched between the river, golf course and the town of Columbus, MT. River rats welcomed.