T H E   B A D L A N D S   -   D A Y   # 3

Tuesday, August 24, 2004

After the Discovery Tour I strike out on a little of my own exploration.

Click here for more detail (and pictures) of my hike of Notch Trail in the Badlands.

After hiking Notch Trail I decide to give Saddle Pass Trail a go.

Click here for more detail (and pictures) of my hike of Saddle Pass Trail in the Badlands.

After my second hike I drive out to the Fossil Trail for a fossil presentation by Ranger Lovelace. In addition to having drawers full of tooth fossils, he also has fossils of marine life as well as a few mammal skulls, some are the real-deal, others are plaster casts.

It's now time to leave the Badlands. My next destination is Minneapolis, MN to visit my friend Greg. Sorry, no more photos, I used them all up on the Badlands (and rightly so). From the outset I had predicted the drive will be extremely boring but it has the opposite affect, I'm actually thrilled to be driving across open prairie.

As I drive along I suddenly realize this is the first time in a long, long while that I can just drive in a straight line on a level surface. No more hitting the brakes in preparation for twisting turns, no more steep embankments to worry about rolling off of, my prairie driving benefits list go on and on. I thoroughly enjoy the limitless fields upon fields of sunflowers that continually pass me by. I feel a new energy coursing through my veins, it's a good feeling. It's an evening of enjoyable driving that's capped off with a spectacular sunset.

I make it to Watertown, SD before settling in for the night. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, I haven't seen my friend Greg in years.