A Night and Day In The Badlands

Vicky told me not to write a lot, just post a lot of pictures. And I agree! There was a lot to see today, and we saw it all!

Marty and Vicky with the Badlands in the background.

First, about last night. After our setting up camp, we went to the gift shop and ran into neighbors, the Friedkens, who live three doors down from us. They had flown out to meet their son in Colorado and were now driving his car back east. Had a great chat.

The wind finally started dying down and we went to a really nice ranger program about the night sky. The Badlands has very clear air, and a great view of the stars. We learned a lot about the summer night sky. By the time the program was over, it was good and dark, dark enough to see the Milky Way. After that, we fumbled our way a quarter-mile back to the Rig in the dark. It got cold. High 40s. Perfect sleeping weather!

Today was perfectly clear with relatively light breezes. We drove the paved part of the rim trail through the Badlands. Then continued on the dirt road portion for a few more miles because that's where we heard the bison were. The day did not disappoint. Vicky said she saw everything she wanted to see except a rattlesnake, and the only way she was going to see that was if she almost stepped on it anyway, not a welcome shock. The list of things we saw: blue sky, landforms, pretty flowers, prairie dogs, bison, pronghorns, magpies, and lots of red wing blackbirds. Tonight we're off to a cowboy bar. We'll tell you how that goes...