Saturday, July 6, 2019

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK - MAY 14

This morning was a short photography adventure. Afterwards we would be splitting up with four of the group driving home to Illinois. They would have about an eleven hour drive. Two of us would be flying out of Rapid City.

We returned to the Park and enjoyed about an hour roaming around chasing the light.





On the way back to Wall we found few big-horned sheep to photograph on a ridge line. They posed nicely for us.



Finally we had to call it a day and returned to Wall for breakfast and then farewell to the driving group. Dennis and I had about an hour before we were picked up by taxi for the drive back to Rapid
City. Dennis was off to New York via Dallas, while I returned to San Diego via Salt Lake City. My flights were on time so I arrived at a good time to pick up crabmeat sandwiches for dinner at home.
(This is a bit of a tradition when possible to time a stop at Point Loma Seafood.)

I enjoyed this trip very much. It was good to visit a new area and be able to explore a bit on my own.

I have had a couple of people ask "What is a badlands?"
It is a type of dry terrain where softer sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils have been extensively eroded by wind and water. They are characterized by steep slopes, and minimal vegetation. They are usually difficult to navigate. It is easy to get disoriented. When exploring one must be very aware of your location, and how to return to your starting point. They often have color displays, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. 

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