Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Not So Badlands



Mary’s friends really liked Badlands National Park, so we thought we would spend the night there on our way to Minneapolis.

Badlands NP is like a mini version of some of the areas in northern Arizona and southern Utah, eroded pinnacles and dried mud washes in various hues of grey, blue, yellow, pink and green, yet here in the South Dakota grasslands the area is teaming with wildlife. In one short 20-mile stretch of road we were able to get close-up encounters with Pronghorn antelope, Big Horn sheep, and Prairie dogs.  We also got more distant views of Bison. 






Today was one of the very few days we have used the air conditioning in Harriet.  It was pretty hot today 92+ so we only did some short walks from viewpoints, no long hikes.  But, we did have a great sunset and a very dark and starry night sky. We have seen the Milky Way many more times so far on this trip than we did on the whole of our extended journey in 2010-11.
 
Oh yes, I have to mention that a major roadside attraction is located between the Black Hills and the Badlands of South Dakota. The famous Wall Drug is just off I-90.  Mary and I wandered the many shops and museums, so now I can say we have been to Wall Drug. 

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