From Rapid City South Dakota
To Cedar Pass Camp Ground Badlands National Park
Distance Traveled: 90
miles
After a fuel stop I headed east on I 90 toward Wall. Grasslands, some rolling hills and occasional relics of a bygone era whizzed by at interstate speeds. 
I pulled into Wall to see the famous “drug store” and from there it was only a short
drive to the Badlands National Park.
Entering at the west end allowed me to drive the length of the park eastbound. I stopped and enjoyed each and everyone of the scenic overlooks.
There is stunning contrasts between the wild flowers in the foreground and the amazing wind and rain sculptured vista in the distance.
The soft pink shades of the cliffs reaching finger like into valleys stretching to the distant horizons are mesmerizing.
In other places the rock formations are a gleaming yellow to contrast with the grays and greens.
I learned the history of sad history of Chief Big Foot and his people as they journeyed through this land to the last battle at Wounded Kneed.
In some places the brilliant pink striations in the eroding rocks created a colourful tapestry to delight the eyes.
The contrast between the vegetation at the edges of the cliffs and the desert conditions of the rugged country below reminded me how fragile this Eco system is.
I learned of the hardy pioneers that were defeated by the harsh realities of this area.
I learned of the hardy pioneers that were defeated by the harsh realities of this area.
Here the road and a pickup truck give an opportunity to visualize the scale of the scenery in the background.
Rocky crags against the sun faded sky show the incredible power of time's victory even over rock.
The road winds in serpentine loops between rocky spires and grass plains
I hiked along the "fossil trail" to learn more about the evolution and changes that happens in the 75 million years, from past times to the present.
I took a moment to marvel at the vegetation that has adapted to thrive in this arid climate.
I was mesmerized by the varied and ever changing scenery. Everywhere I look changing colours and textures delight my senses.
I stopped at the Ben Reifel Interpretive Center to learn more about the area it's history.
This is not a bad land like the one in North Dakota – with the coal and the fires. This one is just in a very hot and dry area. The Native Americans thought this was wonderful land as they appreciated all the wildlife that could be hunted. It was the Europeans, who wanted only farmable land, who were met with disappointment. European farming methods were a bust here. So typical of the ‘conquering Europeans” to evict the natives from their land and claim it as their own, only then to feel disappointed when they can’t make the land conform to their wants and desires.
Here is my accommodation on the road all set up for the night with a glorious view of the surrounding landscape. I sat at my picnic table all evening mesmerized the the beauty of it all!
I watched the setting sun create contrasts of light and dark in the distant peaks. As the hot dry air parched my lips, I sipped my water and marveled at the fragile nature of human life in the vast scale of cosmic reality.
As the sun set, the coolness of night in the desert descended and with the coolness and darkness came the glorious display of a starlight night.
I watched the setting sun create contrasts of light and dark in the distant peaks. As the hot dry air parched my lips, I sipped my water and marveled at the fragile nature of human life in the vast scale of cosmic reality.
As the sun set, the coolness of night in the desert descended and with the coolness and darkness came the glorious display of a starlight night.
Link to my Facebook Reflections Page
Route maps for the day
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