Visiting Theodore Roosevelt NP, South Unit.

First stop was an overlook right off the interstate.  The land looks impossible to cross with a wagon and maybe by horse.  It is understandable that this was described as bad lands. 

Traveling with Bill and Kelly is great.

The history of the area and Roosevelt were linked in several ways.

Roosevelt loved the area and bought a large ranch.   When his wife and mother died on the same day, he returned here to grieve and for solitude.

​

The visitor center shows a very nice movie on the park and they have a museum on the natural history and Roosevelt himself.

Behind the visitor center is a cabin used by President Roosevelt.

Time to drive through the park and see the wildlife.  First, a small herd of Buffalo, okay, the correct word is Bison. "Buffalo live in Africa as in Water Buffalo," according to the rangers.

Prairie Dogs.

A wild horse.   We did not see the rest of the herd.  He was young but I bet he got just a bit too annoying the mares and was run off. He was beautiful.

Overlooks were spread throughout the park.  We had some very impressive views.  It would be very easy to get lost crossing the badlands. I can imagine a rider or wagon being brought to the edge of the park and say to themselves.  "No way.  Let's go a different way."  The Sioux call this area "Mako Shika" or "No good land".  Still very beautiful in its own way.

Soon after we started walking to overlooks, we discovered that no-see-ums were very bad here. Even with bug spray which we had with us and used, they were very annoying.

We also caught some pictures of flowers, moths, and butterflies. One moth took a break on my shoe.

Time to drive back to town for lunch, a bit of shopping, and some ice-cream.