Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Today. . . .Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  The Badlands, from North Dakota side.  We visited the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Today was a remarkably different side of the Badlands.  The terrain was the same grey, red and brown.  But today was a vibrant addition of green, lush rolling hills, mixed in with the desert features, hallmark of the Badlands.  What was most outstanding about TRNP was it's quiet, unspoiled wilderness.  We sat atop Wind Canyon, overlooking the Little Missouri River. Off in the distance, we watched as a herd of buffalo swam across the river to cool off, and reach the other side to graze on the soft, sweet grass.  It was so quiet that we could hear the buffalo splashing into the cool stream of the Little Missouri, snorting as they warily swam across. The sun was warm on our faces, the wind gently blowing the soft grasses at our feet, not another soul around, not another vehicle to be seen for miles.  The earthy scent of sage carried on the warm, summer winds. This was truly an unrivaled experience during our tour of National Parks so far.  The beauty of national parks is that they are preserved for the world to see.  With that can often come the crowds and noise of so many visitors. But today was different.  TRNP is a clandestine piece of serenity, quiet and unspoiled by crowds and congestion.  What we had wished for in many moments during our trip thus far, we reveled in today. Peace and tranquility, coupled with  unspoiled, wild, natural beauty. 

The warm evening sun

The endless Badlands

The Little Missouri River

My love saying, "Hey"

The soft side of the Badlands

For dinner, the Pitchfork Steak Fondue.  Ribeye steaks loaded onto pitchforks, cooked to perfection. Coupled with veggies, potatoes and cowboy baked beans, a wonderful western meal.  We sat on a hilltop overlooking the Badlands for as far as the eye could see. The elk were grazing in the fields below, the sun setting low in the western sky.  A warm, summer breeze carrying the songs of the country band that performed during dinner.


Tomorrow we start to make our way back home.  There are mixed emotions. Part of us longs for the comforts of home.  The familiar.  The greater part of us yearns to stay in the wild, to explore the unknown. Push ourselves to outer limits.  Take ourselves to greater heights, discovering new vistas that await us.  To quote Theodore Roosevelt, the Wilderness Warrior, "Life is a great adventure. . . Accept it in such a spirit."  And so our adventure will continue. . . 
Love to all~