The Badlands. Hard to describe the vast beauty of this dry and often times harsh looking landscape. The day was in the high 90’s with seemed appropriate for our chosen activity. Our first stop this morning was at Wall Drug in Wall, SD. As many visitors before us, the free ice water and 5 cent cups of coffee available at this eclectic piece of americana are the perfect beginning (or end) to traveling though the badlands. The Badlands National Park scenic drive begins off the same Route 90 exit as Wall Drug. The 32 mile drive takes you to many overlooks and viewing points around the National Park. The pictures almost don’t do it justice, the landscape reminded us of a cross between the Painted Desert, Death Valley and the Grand Canyon. It is beautiful. As with the Grand Canyon, our good fortune with wildlife continued. At the Grand Canyon we were treated to an up close and personal look at the California Condors and in the Badlands it was a close encounter with Bighorn Sheep that made us feel special. After seeing a few out in the distance we happened upon one standing on the side of the road. He was happy to just stand there and pose for us as long as we wanted. A mile up the road from the Badlands we stopped at the Minuteman Missile Silo Museum. During much of the Cold War the Dakota’s were dotted with these silos. Its hard to believe that much of this great land was once the front lines of our national defense. A long day of sights concluded with fajitas back at the RV (nice job Jenny!) and more smores by the fire. (how many can the kids eat!?!) Tomorrow we do the cave we missed the other day and the Shockley’s stop “roughing” it for a while as we stay at the State Game Lodge in Custer, SD…. compete with a 5pm dinner reservation.
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| The Badlands |
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| Colors of the Badlands |
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| Big Horn Sheep! |
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| Kinda funny, but not really! |
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