Sunday, May 1, 2016

Road Tripping Through South Dakota

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Just about 4 hours into South Dakota from the Minnesota border, the scenery changes. It changes from the flat prairies, into scenic hills with more buttes, then you arrive at the Badlands.  I visited the Badlands many years ago when my parents took us there on a family vacation, but this was Truckin' Mans first visit. 

You can see a little from the interstate, but if you have the time to go through the national park, it is well worth your time! On our first trip through we toured 25 miles of the park. Beautiful and stunning. Lots of walking trails if you want to go for a hike. We did not go for any walks since wind gusts were about 50 mph while we were there.  It was all Truckin' Man could do to keep his hat on when we did get out of our vehicle.




 Even though it was cold, and crazy windy, we did have beautiful skies!


 Our visit was very much "off" season, and lots of places were closed for the season. I was thrilled to find that the Ben Reifel Visit Center was open. We were able to learn lots of interesting information and history about this area, and how the badlands were formed.


Truckin' Man was really hoping to see lots of wildlife, but we only saw a few deer. 


Being the great sport that he is, Truckin' Man strolled a ways out for this great photo!


"Yellow Mounds" were another neat part within the park.


One of the few bits of color we saw.


Have you ever visited the Badlands?

21 comments:

  1. Gorgeous photos. Yes I have been but years ago and also visited Mt. Rushmore too! happy weekend

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  2. Kris, I have never visited the badlands, never been to either of the Dakotas. Your gorgeous photos really make me want to go there!

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    1. Thank you so much! If you ever get a chance to visit, I am sure you would enjoy it!

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  3. Gorgeous, just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing. Like you, I also visited the Badlands many years ago with my parents. You've totally inspired me to return some day with my husband and daughter :)

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    1. I do hope you get the chance to visit with your family! :)

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  4. Gorgeous photos, my friend. If I have ever visited the Badlands it was years ago when I was just a kid :)

    Thanks for sharing. Hugs

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    1. Thanks Stephanie! If you ever get a chance to go back, it's neat to see again!

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  5. Breathtaking photos! I love that you two shared this together, what a fantastic vacation together! ❤️

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  6. Oh wow. I literally "oohed" and "aahed" at your pictures. That first picture needs to be framed, it is gorgeous! The Badlands are now on my bucket list :-) I loved the photo of the deer as well, too cute!

    Have a great week Kris!

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    1. Thank you!! I did get some prints made, but hadn't decided which ones to get enlarged, until now :)
      Definitely bucket list worthy!!

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  7. Hi,
    Your photo of the yellow mounds is gorgeous!! What a great capture.
    The Badlands is on our list of places to visit. We drove thru on our way to Montana, but did not stop.
    Carla

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    1. Thanks Carla! The yellow mounds were so neat, and different.
      I am glad it is on your list, I know you and your family would enjoy hiking on the many trails :)

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  8. How cool! It looks like a completely different world than flat central IL!

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  9. It must always be windy there! Seems like every time we went through there as kids traveling to Wyoming to visit family it was windy.

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    1. I think it might be! When we drove past a motel named Dakota Winds. I had my suspicions that the wind would never stop!

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  10. I have never traveled through the badlands, but would LOVE to! My kids have been there. And it looks absolutely beautiful! You took some awesome pictures! Keep them coming! : )

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