Started off the day with the aroma of freshly grounded coffee at Dunn Bros Coffee at around 8:45AM.
Jenina and Robert had a long day ahead of them and made sure they had the energy to explore the Badlands National Park. The caffeine and sugar fix would do the trick.
Before heading straight to Badlands, they stopped for gas and picked up some snacks and a bottle of water. Hiking in 90° weather after all would be very exhausting.
Two hours of prairie style highways, we ended up in the Badlands approx 1pm. The lady at the gate charged us $15 for a 7 day pass. Water shortage was our mistake. The visitor center had stations to refill water bottles, but no bottles of water. Thankfully Jenina grabbed a nice large bottle of water back at the gas station. It would have been nice to grab 2 or 3 bottles given the amount of dry dusty hiking we’d be doing.
The first view point we reached by car was a wooden walkway by stairs to this amazing lookout. The fear struck hard after reading graphic depictions warning hikers of rattle snakes. It made it hard for us, as the grasshoppers made similar sounds. If it wasn’t the grasshoppers, it was the whistling wind over dry leaves causing the sweaty hairs on the back of our necks to rise.
Reaching our second lookout, we followed the boardwalk to a stunning view. Jenina + Robert couldn’t resist climbing the cliff side for a better picture. The loose gravel made the climb challenging, but the payoff was worth every weary step.
While on top of the cliff side, we watched hikers come out of a trail that was less defined. We made our way down to the trail head where a marker read “Notch Trail”. We strolled down the path cautiously looking for rattlers. The path winded around cliff edges, and clay pillars. At one point, the climb requires a wooden cable ladder to reach the top of the cliff side. The 40 foot ladder stressed every muscle in the heat. About 45 minutes in total, we reached the trail end. A half moon like cut out in the mountain side overlooking the first lookout we were at earlier. After taking in our award for all our hard work, we made our way back. It was at which we started taking a few side less defined trails to bring us to a few other lookouts less traveled by visitors. The hike was exhausting and we depleted all of our water.
Along the main road going thru the Badlands, we came across a dirt road. We proceeded down the road in the car, where we came to a juction with some trails. A choice between Medicine trail and Castle trail. A log book is used to register your car, the time you entered, which trail you chose, and your time back out. A $125 fine can be issued for not filling this information out, and assists Park rangers in locating missing or injured persons. We went down Castle trail, and found beautiful clay sculptures, amd old sea beds that were over a million years old from the previous ice age. Again, we couldn’t go on too far in fear of rattlers.
We made our way back to the car, and drove the west side of the Badlands. This is where we found the Fossil trail. A man made attraction trail where dinosaur bone fossils are on display on the trail showing what was found in the area.
As we looked around the trail, we couldn’t help to notice all the rabbits running around. One baby cotton tail came directly up to Jenina. It was cute, small, silver, with a bushy little white tail. It was no more then the size of Jenina’s hand.
Going back to the car, Robert noticed something large moving across the street and about 200 feet into the Badlands. We headed across the street, (which just happened to be the end of the Castle trail) climbed up a steep clay mound, only to find nothing.
Jenina didn’t believe what Robert saw, but shortly after doubting him, a massive Big Horn Sheep came out from a small valley opposing the hills. Best to describe this sheep like a grey sheep, massive curled horns, and an ass like he sat in a puddle of white paint. He stood there posing for Jenina as if he knew he was going to be an internet rockstar.
Continuing on our trip, near the exit of the Badlands, we came across these hills that looked like they were airbrushed purple and yellow. It was the most bizarre site. It seemed so fake and unreal with its vibrant colors, and was hard for the brain to take all in. Needless to say, photos were taken.
The views were just overwhelming to take in.
Exhausted, thrirsty, and air conditioning on full blast, we made the long painful drive back to Rapid City. Had a quick shower, and headed out looking for food.
There venture didn’t take them far, as they ended a few blocks away at Famous Dave Bar-B-Que for a pit BBQ.
They had meat so tender and so flavorful, that even Jenina couldn’t stop herself from over eating. Robert tapped out with the meat sweats. Our meal consisted of Burnt ends, Ribs, Chicken, Corn bread, slaw, pulled pork, beans, brisket, and some other small goodies to complete the feast. They had these two sauces that were the bomb! The Devils spit, and WW, that put our mouths on fire! Worst part is that we couldn’t stop eating with them.
A happy ending to the South Dakota trip. A great last night in Rapid City.
Stay tuned for tomorrow, the Devils Tower national monument, and Sheridan, both in Wyoming.
