More to this life: Out where the Buffalo Roam!

July 1

We got back pretty late to the campground in Wyoming after the Devils Tower Detour and guess what? We got a late start on our day today back into South Dakota to get to North Dakota. I'm beginning to see a pattern here with this bunch - get up late, start out late, go to bed late! What do they think this is - vacation?

Okay - rant over - now for our adventures to and in North Dakota.

First we have to backtrack to Spearfish, South Dakota to turn north. Hey, that's just the way it works. Not that many roads out here that connect the dots. If you don't believe me, check out the map. It's pretty much east-west or north-south. With big expanses in between.

By the time we get back to Spearfish to turn north on US 85 - it's time for some lunch. So, we find something we've not had yet on this trip - Mexican food! Great little family-owned place called Guadalajara and we chow down!

Once again - back on the road. North on US 85 to North Dakota.

Here's what I mean about the roads out here.

The view back south

The view north

West

East

Do you believe me now?

Not that it's a bad ride - just not many Wendy's or Taco Bells (or anything else for that matter) out in this area. It's pleasant without all those billboards, too. Did you notice there weren't any in the pictures? No traffic worries,either. We would go for miles and not see any other traffic.

Finally into North Dakota!

I know they're meaning the state is Legendary, But I think these three are, too!

They even have the pull-off areas so you can take the picture with the state sign. Thoughtful.

We get to our destination - about 6 PM. The campground is first-come, first-served. Everything I read says this park is under-visited. So getting in and getting a site should be no problem, right? You would think so. But we get the LAST available campsite! Whew! The only thing else available is one little campground in the little town of Medora right outside the park. Glad we didn't have to do that!

Of all the parks in the National Park system, this is the only one named for a person. It's fitting that it should be named for Roosevelt because of his association with the area and because of his influence in protecting our natural resources for future generations.

Learn more about this great park here

We decided to spend an extra night here to be able to see everything. Hey, I don't know when I'll get back out here!

The first night we were here, we decided to try to get some sight-seeing in before dark. Here's what we saw.

Now those are some WILD animals for sure. Not sure if that's a natural habitat for them. Them do seem pretty much at home out here!

We found this fellow just grazing along the side of the road about 2 miles from out campsite. But they do get closer!

A short while later, we found this one. The girls immediately named him "scratchy" because he's scratching his belly on that post!

July 2

Second day in the park and decided to do the 36 mile drive around the loop. Lots to see here!

These badlands are just like the ones in South Dakota with few exceptions. Some of the mineral deposits in these that cause the coloring are different. There is also a coal vein here that burned continuously from 1951-1977.

And we found MORE buffalo! I counted about 75 in this herd. The park information says there are about 600 here. We encountered more later.

Yes, that's part of the herd just over Abi's shoulder. They're about 50 yards away. They get closer - later.

We went to the Ranger program at the amphitheater and had to take the long way back to the car because of "George". Yes, that is a buffalo right in the campground.