I cycled that route in 2012, the first year the reroute was in place. It was a typically good ACA route. The TR National Park is an unspoiled highlight. The bike shop in Medora is a great place.

Ditto the above, it's largely treeless range land. My eastbound ride was helped tremendously by tailwinds in June.

The mosquito is the Minnesota state bird. I've been there in September, way back when I was alive, but can't remember the bug conditions.