The Badlands

Hello from the Badlands, South Dakota! Named by the Indians as "mako sica", which means bad land because of the peaks and valleys that are so difficult to cross. I'm not sure what the weather was like for them but it was 95 - 105 degrees here for us while we were crossing so I tend to agree with them! Still, we managed to take tons of pictures and find beauty in many places. 

We went to Ben Reifel Visitor Center and I asked the ranger what his favorite hike was. He said if you want to get away from all the people take the Castle Trail. He was right...we hiked over 4 miles in the 97 degree weather and saw only about 5 people (one of which was a woman we took back to her car because she couldn't take the heat anymore!). Good thing we were prepared and had lots of water. Super proud of Dave for making it the whole way!

We also made it to Wall Drug, which is quite the destination if you are looking for ice water, a T-Rex, a chapel, western clothes and boots, an old fashion soda fountain and of course plenty of tee-shirts and other souvenirs from China. To add to the flavor of the place it was loaded with bikers who are all here for the big rally in Sturgis.  It goes thru next weekend so I am guessing we'll be seeing more of them on this part of the trip.

 

Had an amazing sunset tonight and a great ranger talk at the amphitheater on the stars in our sky. With almost a full moon the stars weren't as bright but you could see the moon up close and Saturn thru their telescopes. The half of the moon picture was with my phone looking thru the lens of the telescope. Cool night, even if it was still 85 degrees out! Tomorrow is another travel day but not too far...