Theodore Roosevelt National Park

After spending the night in Fargo, we drove a couple of hours to the park, one of the least visited in the system.

The campground had no electricity or water (there were spigots for filling our containers).  It was full but the sites were placed far enough apart so that we felt we had some privacy.  Some people insisted on running their generators, unpleasant.

There is a small town near the park, Medora, wholly owned by a non-profit.  The town closes up in a few weeks, apparently, there are no residents in the offseason. There is a gas station, a few restaurants and other things.

The park is in the Badlands and our visit was focused on the Loop, a 36 mile drive full of scenery and animals.  We saw all sorts of creatures, the key was getting up early before the rv's hit the road -- about 9:30.

Here are some images.

Typical scene

Standard Susan "looking out" image

"Cap Rocks" The Badlands were formed by erosion of soft rock

Prairie dogs everywhere

To me, the bison were the star of the show.

Wild horses too

We took a hike to a petrified forest, about three miles.  Susan made it down there and we were really amazed by the trees and formations.

Part of the hike was through the grassland

Find Susan hiking up the trail!

Petrified stump

Susan in the forest

The next day after doing the Loop again I took a hike that lead me through grasslands and into a valley where buffalo sign were everywhere.  It was still hot and the only one I saw was just sitting in some dust keeping cool.

Had to cross the river (Little Missouri) to start the hike

A buffalo recently layed here

We got up and drove about four hours to the town of Faith, SD, our base for going to the Powwow.  The harvest is coming in and there was work going on everywhere.

More on the Powwow later.....  Take care.