About The River

Friday, February 3, 2017

On the Road Friday ~ Badlands ~ South Dakota

We are on the road today, we are off to South Dakota.
In September 2016 our family explored Badlands National Park.

 Deep canyons, towering spires, and flat topped tables can all be found among the Badlands buttes.
 The emptiness of the plains, the beauty of the Pinnacles and the mystery of the land.
I fell in love with the Badlands. For someone who loves growing flowers, you would wonder why? My husband was so surprised at how much I fell in love with the Badlands. 
I think it was the strangeness about it. I had never experienced such land.
 We did a four mile hike. We started on the Castle Trail and then ventured on to the Medicine Root Trail. The terrain was very different from what we are use to in Wisconsin.
It was also very warm and dry.
 Look into the shadow and you will see the soil.
When it rains or gets just a little moisture, it turns to slick mud.
I wrote Badlands with my walking stick into the cracked soil.
Can you see it?
 As we hiked along, I found this little flower. 
A brave yellow flower, determined to bloom in this hard land.

Some Valentine kisses back in September!

Thank you for coming along with me. I will be sharing the wildlife we saw during our Badlands adventures and the sunset over the pinnacles in future On the Road Friday posts.

Wishing you all a great weekend and new week ahead.
I will be taking the week off from The River.

 

 

22 comments:

  1. I can't wait for the wildlife and sunset! In a way, parts of this looks almost like another planet. I love the first picture, a rock window! I CAN see your letters you wrote.

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  2. What a brave flower it is! Internet is quite powerful to let the precious information spread over the world. I am very lucky to have stopped by now. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. I love looking at your badland pictures. It must have been an awesome experience for you. I'm so glad you shared. Love the valentine scene.
    I'm looking forward to seeing the wildlife pictures.
    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  4. How sweet! You hiked...but also took time for a kiss! I guess we will have to work that into a hike soon! Fabulous photos...imagine trekking through that desolate place as pioneers! Hugs, Diane

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  5. I have never been, but always wanted to go and see the Badlands. It's very, very different than what surrounds me. Love the kiss! ;)

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  6. What a determined little flower you found! It is strange to me as well, how the area draws you in. Truly beautiful.

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  7. What impressed me most was that beautiful sky. What a gorgeous blue. Second, the brave little flower. Pretty amazing what obstacles she overcame to bloom. (I think there's a message for all of us there.) Thanks for sharing, Carla. xo

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  8. Hey Carla. That looks like a interesting place to hike. Must have been a beautiful day. It looks so pretty! and the sweet little yellow flower.

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  9. What a great place to hike. Love seeing your travel pics and that sunshine!!!! Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  10. Hope you have a lovely week off, Carla!! Thanks for sharing these photos. They warmed me up! :)

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  11. Have a great vacation. I can't wait to hear about your trip. It won't be as warm this time around! I enjoyed seeing your beautiful photos. the terrain looks like an alien planet!

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  12. Cute photos! I can't believe that little flowering plant could thrive in that spot! Enjoy your week off!

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  13. There is something about a completely different landscape from our usual that I find intriguing too, Carla. I hope you have a nice break in your week off.

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  14. Thanks for the birthday wishes, Carla, and it as nice to read this post and see your Badlands photos on my special day! It was a bit difficult to see the writing in the soil, but that little yellow flower managed to persevere.

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  15. Thank you for sharing and I always, always love finding flowers in the most unusual places. They show power and strength!

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  16. Enjoyed these pictures! So fun as a family to get out and explore such different terrain together! And that picture of the brave little yellow heart really stood out to me. Such tenacity in the midst of hardship! I hope you are all doing well my friend, enjoy your week off. I pray the sweet presence of the Lord is with you today :)

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  17. I haven't been to the Badlands, but it kinda reminds me of part of Utah that we drove through...so desolate. I found it fascinating and can't wait to go back. Have a safe trip and have fun!

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  18. I LOVE IT THERE! Went when I was 15 years old...I hope to take the girls when they are around that age! You inspire me my friend! xo

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  19. So lovely to see all of your photo's.
    The terrain, rocks and sights are certainly different.

    Enjoy your trip
    Stay safe

    All the best Jan

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  20. Isn't it amazing to see what grows in different parts of the US? When we traveled further west (Arizona, New Mexico), we noticed strange little plants fighting for their existence in the dry soil and heat...truly amazing! Hope you have a wonderful trip! Love and hugs!!

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  21. I enjoyed this, I was in the mood for a long hike :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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High Fives from Wisconsin!