Sept 7 – 8, 2011

Once we got into South Dakota on I 90 my greatest concern was do we have enough gas. Talk about God”s Country. We saw a Windmill making factory. I like to think they’ll be an important energy of the future.

THE BADLANDS

Wow! Wow! Wow! I had no concept. We’ve been to the Grand Canyon and we both agree this experience was so much more enjoyable, because we were able to camp in the middle of it all and camp the trails right from our site. Driving through the canyons was phenomenal. I aquired a fear for heights and had to get over it quickly or miss out on the amazing views.

The Notch Trail should be called the Ledge Trail. You climb a 56 log rung ladder and walk a 1/2 – 3/4 mile ledge skirting a cliff. David and I made it up the ladder and about 1/4 mile of ledge.  When the ledge was only about 3 feet wide in front of us we decided to back track.  This was too early in the trip to fall off a cliff. We hiked one trail more beautiful than the next until our legs were ready to fall off.  I lost count of how many overlooks we viewed, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! The Badlands are right up there with the Grand Canyon, Sequoia National Park and Yosemite for me. Ten stars in my book. The campground was escellent. Electric only, first come first serve, no showers, flush toilets, poop dum and fresh water. $14 senior