Total Miles driven today: Local Area
Total Miles driven overall: 578
Holy smokes, maybe I packed too much into the day! I’m pooped.
Big thunderstorms last night. I didn’t get a very restful night’s sleep and I rose early. It was chilly - around 40 degrees I estimate – while I ate breakfast. I packed up camp and went to see the sights on the north unit’s 14-mile scenic drive. The sky was extremely overcast and the fog was low – and it was still beautiful. I had the road to myself and I did not see another car the whole time. The north unit I learned later is much less utilized due to its distance from the interstate. The south unit is situated right on it. I passed within spitting distance of several bison. They seem like such nice animals, but they can be dangerous apparently. I kept my distance, but managed to take a couple of good pics. My favorite overlook point is called “River Bend”.
Then I set out to learn a little more about the Buckhorn Trail because I noticed on the map that there would be a few creek crossings. A ranger informed me that there was a 4-ft deep section in the creek that I would need to cross in order to complete the loop. Screw that. I opted for a pleasant little 5-miler called Caprock Coulee. It was great primer trail that led me through dry water gulches and grassy plains. The rain let up, but the low clouds hung in.
As I drove through the welcome center’s parking lot while exiting the north unit I literally had to weave through a group of bison.
I drove 50 miles south to Medora just to check it out. It’s a tiny town (pop. 100) that was established in 1883 by a French nobleman seeking to bring meatpacking to the herd instead of the herd to the meatpacking. It didn’t work out, but Medora has made the most of its fortunate location as the gateway to the park’s south unit. It has a motel and several tourist-y shops. I’ve heard from several people about the Medora Musical, which is presented every night during the summer months in an amphitheater overlooking the badlands. Alas, I was just a few days too early to see it. I picked up on wifi connection in Medora and was able to post my first on-the-road blog entry. I am having a problem uploading pictures, but I am working on it.
I pushed on to the south unit and opted to drive the 35-mile scenic loop. I was not disappointed. It is distinctive from the north unit in that it is more lush and worn, but less colorful. There are several prairie dog towns scattered around the park. I had no idea what that meant (well, I guessed that prairie dogs were involved somehow) and I soon found out that they really are like towns! The prairie dogs congregate in certain prairies and dig their holes within yards of one another. I guess that a couple of the town I saw had more than 100 residents. They sure are cute.
About halfway around the scenic loop, I stopped for a hike at Jones Creek trail. It’s a 7-mile out-and-back hike that led me through the heart of the badlands. It reminded me of hikes I used to take around Naryn, Kyrgyzstan; the creek was almost entirely dry and the hills around it were eroding into it. Crickets clicked all around me throughout the hike. Even the smell was the same; juniper I think. The scenery was breathtaking and the hike was tiring. I passed by some riders on horses. Note to self: Go horseback riding sometime. As it turns out, I couldn’t do Buckhorn, but hikes though Caprock Coulee and Jones Creek made my day.
The weather has improved and as I write this, I am looking out of my tent as the sun is setting on the park, and the bison are passing by.
I’m off to Yellowstone tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment