Other than
the Black Hills, the one thing we wanted to see while in the Rapid City, SD
area was the Badlands, but we stopped off at the Millstone Restaurant again for
breakfast. I had the chicken fried steak
and Bev had
the biggest burrito I’d ever seen – must have started with an 15” tortilla.
I thought
mine was very good but Bev thought she made a better breakfast burrito and I
agreed – hers may be the best on the planet.
We drove
from Rapid City down to the Wall, SD exit and entered the Badlands National
Park there – first time I’d used my senior pass. Here are a couple of comments from their web
page.
“These
striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds.
Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed
here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where
bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.”
“During the
Age of Dinosaurs, a warm, shallow sea covered the Great Plains, including what
is now Badlands. Since dinosaurs were land creatures, no fossils of these animals
have been found in the park. Giant marine lizards called mosasaurs swam in the
ancient sea, along with sea turtles and fish.”
Check the
park brochure
for more info, including the geology – it’s very interesting.
We were going to drive out the Sage Creek Rim Road, but it was the most serious washboard I've been on in a while. Here are the
shots we took – on one side of the road is the normal land and on the other is
what’s left of what is now part of Louisiana.
It’s been eroding for 500,000 years and should be done in another
500,000.
These are some more shots of it.
Nature is truely an incredible force.
All photos
can be enlarged by clicking on them.
Have a great
day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.
Larry
9/8/12 event date
9/8/12 event date
Nature at it's finest. I can just imagine outlaws hiding out there. Guess I saw too many westerns as a child.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to discover that you make better food at home than they do in some restaurants. We smile all the way to the car.
Sam
That's some pretty rugged country. And the history is fascinating. It's so hard to imagine a warm shallow sea covering our now prairie lands.
ReplyDeleteDavid rode is motorcycle through the Badlands. Impressive. I'm sure Bev's burrito is better.
ReplyDeleteI have got to visit this area. Can you imagine crossing through in a wagon train....the pioneers were amazing folks.
ReplyDeleteI had a chicken fried steak for the first time in years when we were in Oregon. Wow...it was delicious...it hung over the plate...way too much for me to eat. It sure was mighty fine, though.
Enjoy the rest of your adventure!
Larry, Nice photos of the badlands but more importantly, that breakfast of yours was a really a fine looking spread!! Travel Carefully and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteWow, they call it the Badlands for a reason. Love the blog,
ReplyDeleteStay thirsty, my friend.
Eating out just isn't the same these days as it was a few years ago. I used to look forward to breakfast out more than anything and now I avoid it. I'd much rather eat my own cooking! I'm sure Bev's burrito was much better. :) Have a blessed rest of the weekend, Larry!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard for us good cooks to eat out anymore because 9 times out of 10 our food is better than theirs! I had a rotisserie chicken at a place last week. It was alright but mine was way better! lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us on vacation with you! Your pictures are incredible!
I can certainly see why it is called the bad lands. I picture having to travel through that area with a horse and wagon.
ReplyDeleteI remember those badlands so well having been through twice. What a great trip you are taking to see so many wonderful natural sites! Your Black Hills post was delightful too! I think that area is really pretty!
ReplyDeleteMore good eating was had here too!
On to your next destination post!
Those are some impressive views, Larry. I could look at that all day long. The idea of "water and wind did this" is so stunning.
ReplyDelete