T H E   B A D L A N D S

Badlands National Park
Southwestern South Dakota

More riding, more vistas.

As I bike along, what we typically think of as the Badlands slowly fades away, giving way to rolling priarie.

After a bit more riding I run into this section of severe wash, and no less, it's on a steep hill (picture is looking up the hill). Thinking it would be fun to get an upper body massage while riding, I proceed to fly down the hill and just about fall off the bike, trying to hold on to the vibrating handlebars. It's a lot of fun!

But I pay a high price for my downhill fun, I break my camera. Apparently the severe shaking jams the shutter open, causing the camera to grossly overexpose all snapshots. I'm a bit bummed because I'm forced to cut my photo op short. Earlier in the ride I was thinking about ditching the camera and now I have no choice. Perhaps this is fate staring back at me and a little pre-cognition in action?

I put the camera away and continue on. My mid-way point is Sage Creek Campground, a primitive campground with no running water. Upon arrival I discover it's a pretty nice campground, and an extra bonus is the park doesn't charge to camp there. I quickly decide this is where I'll bed down for the night.

The return trip is pretty much an uphill, sweaty slog. I'm hitting the water pretty heavily, good thing I brought a lot of water. On my way back the sun is low in the sky and the colors in the Badlands are more pronounced and vibrant. Too bad the camera is broken.

I finally reach the end of the ride where my parked van is waiting for me. The ride proves to be a a good one but a sweaty one. I actually used all my water supply when I rounded the final bend and the van popped into view. Good planning on my part. In summary the scenery on the ride was just spectacular and the ride itself was challenging because of the hot temperature. The only downside of the ride was the periodic, severe wash. And broken camera, of course.

I rate my bike ride of the Badlands 4.5 thumbs-up out of a possible 5 thumbs.