A photo story

White Butte, North Dakota

Laura and I arrived at White Butte just before sunset in July 2026, and at first we weren't even sure which bump was the one we wanted. It had been a hot day, topping out around 98, and by the time we got there it was still in the mid 80s, though the wind that had been blowing around 20 earlier had finally eased off. Following the path made it obvious. The tallest point around was North Dakota's high point, 3,506 feet, and my last of the lower 48. A few days earlier we had been at Crazy Horse Memorial, about a five and a half hour drive to the south.

At the top, wildfire smoke hung in the air from a fire somewhere nearby, and the sun went down a deep orange over those pale hills. I keep thinking of it as just another day, but I was glad to be done, and I also caught myself wondering what would guide the rest of our travels. That's when Laura and I started talking about traveling so she can finish her lower 48 too, and then we'll have to find another thing to do.