Badlands

The Badlands are hot, and not the Paris Hilton variety.  When I rolled into Interior, SD, the town near my campground, it was a toasty 101.  “Town” requires a stretch of the imagination – 3 bars, a taco wagon and a gas station.  (The tacos were amazing!)  When I was checking into the campground, Rosie hopped into the driver’s seat, as is her habit.  I came out with my ticket and the fellow who was going to guide me said they were pretty liberal around here, but the dog cannot drive on the grounds.  He led me to the campsite and I had a bit of difficulty following his directions backing in.  When I got out, he said maybe better let the dog drive. 

I came in on Rt 240, the “scenic drive”, checked out the overlooks in the park, but the midday haze washed out the landscape.  After setting up camp and having some dinner – Rosie likes to eat on a schedule – I took the van out into the Badlands about an hour before the sunset.  All the selfie takers had left for the day, and the setting sun cast a glow on the wonderous landscape. As with all National Parks, the dog was not allowed on the trails.  I had to leave the van running with the air on and scoot down the trail for some pictures.  Back to the campground for the night.  I learned that the state bird of South Dakota is the housefly.

On Day 2 I decided I needed a haircut.  The nearest barber was in Rapid City, 78 miles away.  I went anyway.  On the way there I got a strange error message on the Sprinter: “Active braking and cruise control inactive.”  After some internet sleuthing, I discovered that the error is the result of the sensor not seeing enough cars – it thinks its broken and shuts down as a safety feature.  78 miles of no cars. I picked an old boys barber shop, and got just what I asked for – he cut it comb over style even though I have a full head of hair.  But the barbershop banter was worth the tonsorial sacrifice.  It will grow out. Rapid City is typical of these smallish rural cities, with an old, classic downtown surrounded by sprawl. These places are all growing quickly, a combination of work at home, affordability and access to outdoor activities.  But quaint it ain’t.    

I decided that evening to cut the Badlands visit short and head west to Southern Montana.  Clearly, I am not Ansel Adams – my black and white shots of the Badlands were terrible.  A few color pics.

Find the bunny !!!