Sat, 6/7/08

Badland, SD: This morning brought clear, sunny skies. But the clouds rolled in by the time we got ready to leave. Left around 10:30 and instead of taking the highway west, we took a rural route that skirted the park to the south. We passed lots of ranches and many prairie dog towns. Saw some prong horned antelope. Arrived at Oreville National Forest campground and were set up by 2:00. A small but really pretty campground—all birches and pines. No hook-ups for 12 days. There is a bike path nearby and we can bike into the closest town—Hill City, SD. By the time we got here, temperatures were down into the 50s. Supposed to be down into the upper 30s tonight. Not very warm, but should be great for hiking. Heating up left-over Mexican lasagna and a vegetable for dinner tonight. Plan to play cards and then read. My book on the pony express is very interesting.

View from our campsite

Western Diamondback

Wed, 6/4/08

Badlands, SD: Left the campground this morning at 10:20. This part of South Dakota is all flat farmland and cattle ranches. After driving about 2 hours (on Rt. 90 heading west), we came down a steep hill and spread out before us was the Missouri River—very blue and pristine in this area—surrounded by the prettiest hills. We stopped there for lunch. Very pretty. Leaving there we went steadily up hill and then we were on a high plateau of prairie for hundreds of miles with gently rolling, lush green hills. No trees. Arrived at the Badlands at about 2:30 mountain time. After we got set up we drove through the area which is like on another planet. Walked a couple of trails. Saw a western diamondback rattlesnake. Got my snake gaiters out and wore them on the second trail. Started sprinkling so we headed back and had left-overs for dinner.