It's been an unbelievable couple of days here. We arrived at Badlands National Park onTuesday afternoon at about 2:21 MT. We've crossed two time zones in the last two days. It is every bit as gorgeous here as I remember. We checked into the campground and set up our tent first. Heat and mosquitoes were a nuisance, but being experienced campers, we set up pretty quickly. We drove to Wall, home of the famous Wall Drug. This oasis on the prairie was started by a couple in the middle of the Great Depression. After five years, they almost gave up, when it occured to them that they were in a location where countless hot, thirsty travelers passed by on their way out West. They put up signs advertising free ice water along the highway. Before they returned home, the store was packed. They still offer free ice water, but it is a place to get something to eat and shop, and of course, to have prescriptions filled.
After dinner and the most enormous slice of blueberry pie I've ever seen, we headed back into the park to take some pictures. Before reaching the entrance to the park, we drove through Buffalo National Grasslands. It is a vast, serene habitat to many different species. The music of singing meadowlarks filled the evening air. The sky takes on wonderful hues in the evening.
The Badlands are an incredible mixture of varied terrain, much of it the result of volcanic activity. It is what is left of the floor of an ancient sea.
As the sun set, the hills took on a soft, warm glow.
The day gave up its light in a final glorious display of color.
I have lots more to share with you, but I need to get some sleep. We actually started for home today, so I'm writing to you from Minnesota. We'll be up before dawn, as my hubby wants to drive straight through to Pennsylvania tomorrow. Thank you so much for your comments this week. It's really wonderful to be able to stay connected while I'm on the road. My next post will probably not be until Sunday. We'll be arriving late Saturday and we will be losing another hour.
I hope you are all well. I'm looking forward to getting home so I can share some more of our trip with you. God's blessing to you.
Until next time,
Terri
I have dreamed of going to the Badlands. After looking at your incredible photos and reading the posts, I've just got to get there. What amazing beauty!
Posted by: rasz | Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Wonderful photos of the prairie and badlands! Didn't you just love Wall Drug? I hope you got to try the donuts? Have a safe trip home, can't wait to see your follow-up posts on a great trip to South Dakota!
Posted by: Lisa Sall | Monday, July 11, 2011 at 08:38 AM
Beautiful photographs, thanks for sharing. i'm sure your having a wonderful time seeing such natural beauty.
~Emily
The French Hutch
Posted by: Emily | Saturday, July 09, 2011 at 11:07 AM