Badlands, South Dakota

Day #13 found us headed towards Badlands National Park near the Black Hills in South Dakota. The Lakota Indians named the region "bad lands" because of its rocky terrain, lack of water, and extreme temperatures.  Its geologic formations are millions of years old.

The Badlands have a unique connection to my family history.  In 1917, a silent western movie was made called, Durand of the Badlands.  My paternal grandfather saw the movie and the name Durand stuck in his mind.  When my father was born in 1918, he gave him the middle name, Durand, and he was called that by his parents and siblings his entire life.  

Jeremy and I were both shutterbugs as we traveled the 40 mile scenic loop spanning the 242,756 acres that comprise the almost desolate park.  Sprawling dry grasslands make the area a suitable home for bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs.  At one time the Oglala Lakota Indians [a Sioux tribe] inhabited the land freely.  Today, younger generations live on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the northern part of Badlands National Park and extending to areas beyond.

A stop at Pinnacles Overlook was a must.  The large parking area gave great views of rocky pinnacles.  If you were brave enough for a better, closer look [and we were], a set of wooden steps descended to a broad, fenced ledge overlooking the formations.  

On the way to the ledge, a sign posted 'Beware of Rattlesnakes'.  Yikes!

It was very windy on the ledge.

The wind snatched Ellie's hat right off her head shortly after the above picture was taken.  

For those who were really brave [which I wasn't], you could walk out beyond the fenced area.  

More pics taken after we left Pinnacles Overlook.

After the Badlands we headed to our last campgrounds in Chamberlain, South Dakota. From the highway I saw acres and acres of sunflowers - my favorite flower.  Since this was the second time I saw fields of them growing in the state,  I had to Google it.  I discovered South Dakota is one of the world's top sunflower producers, and sunflower seeds are one of their leading crops.

We arrived at American Creek Campgrounds in early evening and Jeremy got our assigned RV lot.

Then we drove into town for dinner at Charly's.  An ice cream sundae came with Ellie's meal.

After dinner, big sister, little sister and brother went to check out the beach area.  Jeremy thought this was the nicest of the three campgrounds we stayed at except for the flies when we grilled and attempted to eat at the picnic table.  If North Dakota got the prize for the biggest mosquitoes, South Dakota got the prize for the most flies!

to be continued...