These are the yellow mounds, with the yellow sediment layer called the pierre shale (millions of years old). This area was awesome for seeing the different layers very clearly, and we climbed up to the top of a tall mound for a great view. 
Of course, at the top I felt like the sun was taking a direct hit on me, and kathryn and I were thankful for our trendy zip-off pants.
On our way out of town from the Badlands to Custer State Park, we started seeing little heads pop out of the ground. We spent a good bit of time pulled off to the side of the highway watching a colony of prairie dogs, and I would definitely have taken one home with me if not for the sign warning of the rodents carrying the plague. Nevertheless we got up close and personal with the adorable critters, and I get the feeling they are pretty used to roadside visitors and their snacks.
Elly got the closest, and snapped her pictures from about a foot away.
Aren't they cute?
But the best surprise of the day was our campsite.
We drove through the park and saw a couple buffalo, some deer, and a family of long horns. The terrain went from grassy prairie to winding climbing road surrounded by pines, which stretch their roots into the underlying sandstone. After passing a few lakes I was worried our campsite would be tucked away far in the woods, but boy was I wrong...
The campsite is beautiful! Right on the edge of Stockade Lake, with a campfire area (finally), bathrooms (glorified hole in the ground), and a covered picnic area! But the best part....... A couple blocks away are SHOWERS!!!! It was my group's turn to cook dinner again, and we made chicken seasoned with italian dressing, rosemary quinoa, and green beans. No expense is spared when it comes to food, even when that expense goes towards 8 bags of kettle chips. After sitting around the campfire and making s'mores I headed off to bed a happy camper.
No comments:
Post a Comment