Days 5 - 7: The Badlands, SD

     Leaving Nebraska, we headed for the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. While most of us have seen the Badlands in various movies until you are actually there and see it in person you don't fully appreciate both the beauty and the hardships that early settlers in the area endured.













    One of the big features the area is known for is it's fossils. We went through the nature center and saw some of the reconstructed fossils that have been put together as well as the displays of what the area looked like as it slowly transitioned from a vast inland sea to a swamp, then savannah and finally into the very arid region it is today.






    One of our days we went into town to Wall Drugs. Back in the 1930s as the country was really starting to stretch its legs via automobiles, a popular spot to pull over and get a free glass of cold water and a quick bite to eat was Wall Drugs, located in... wait for it.... Wall, SD. Since that time, it has evolved, or devolved depending on your viewpoint, into a major tourist trap. You can find not only something to eat, still get that free glass of cold water but buy boots and cowboy hats and trinkets of every size and shape and color. I can't think of anywhere else you can ride a Jackalope. Can you?

    On the way back to the RV we decided to stop so we could feed the Parrie Dogs. Now if you're not familiar with Parrie Dogs, they look a cross between a squirrel and a beaver. Ok, yeah, they are kind of cute and funny. After buying the peanuts we headed outside to feed them. Jodi, being the adventurous one, decided to ignore the sign that in big bold lettering said, "PLEASE DO NOT PET, HOLD, OR CUDDLE THE PRARRIE DOGS!!!" Of course she says she didn't see the sign, but whatever.....

Jodi and Travelling MegaMan

Who says I'm fat?

Is it nap time yet?

Always the rule breaker....

















Location: Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA

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