Badlands: Part 2

June 17, 2013
Sage Creek Campground, Badlands, South Dakota
Distance Traveled: 6 miles by foot!

My time here in the Badlands has come to a glorious end.  Today had been by far the most peaceful day on my trip as there's very little separating me out here from the serenity of the wilds. 

I got in a breath taking hike today which was challenging considering all the little hills and valleys, but the sites it afforded me were just spectacular.  I even got to do something I had strangely enough always wanted to try before: picking a direction and just walking.  But after a little under an hour my anxiety got the better of me as I imagined myself hopelessly lost walking round in circles.  I really didn't think that possible here due to the never ending 9 mile views, but after a while taking small detours around obstacles I could see it would be ready to get turned around.  And after a while each hill, tree, and bush all started to blend into one, so happy was I when I found my way back to the trail.

There was a slight drizzle of rain after I got back, but I really didn't notice much as I had been napping. Its so strange the feeling of having nothing at all to do but hike, read, nap, and eat, but although it would take some getting used to I think I like it!

To escape the busyness of my campground that quickly filled up tonight I managed to hike up the mountain closest to the camp and I think it's an excellent place to sit and watch the sunset.  This relaxing day has come at perfect time and right now I couldn't be more content.  One thing is for sure though, sunsets are best viewed with someone you love.

Tomorrow I will finally get to see the iconic Mount Rushmore.  I've heard from a few people that it isn't all its cracked up to be but I'm pretty excited!  I have less then a hundred miles to go tomorrow so it should be perfect for a short ride and then sight seeing.   Don't forget about the gravel road out of here though...

Badlands: Party 1

June 17, 2013
Sage Creek Campground, Badlands, South Dakota
Distance traveled: 1721

When they say rustic camping at Sage Creek campground I see now that they really mean it.  Looking around the small circle of adventurous tenters out here nothing else is in sight.  No cars, no billboards, and no other people.  Right now I'm sitting under the mini shaded picnic tables provided by the park at each site, and except for the clicking of my tablet the only other sounds to be heard is the softly blowing wind, and the birds calling back and forth to each other.  It's truly majestic and I'm so happy I didn't skip it in favor of moving forward.

The trip in today was a simple 21 miles, but I paid my dues for the free camping.  What the guide book doesn't tell you is that it's a ten mile ride in on unpaved rutted roads though to be far they have kept the coffin of the roads very well.  Remembering my last experience off the pavement I decided to test my skills and make the trek knowing I could only improve.  To be honest I was completely terrified at what was to come and could just imagine myself driving 8 or so miles in to find the road totally washed out from the previous day's storm only to have to turn around and make the white knuckled trip back in defeat.  But I imagine that settlers making their way slowly west must have felt somewhat similar.  Not knowing if they were going to make it, the fear of what was to come next, and the total uncertainty  of the conditions in what lay ahead.

This time though I started out with no bravado keeping the speed down between 15-20 mph.  After watching a show yesterday on riding dual sport bikes I knew to keep my elbows loose, my head up, and to always be planning my path.  With this in mind I slowly crept forward mile by mile, past buffalo grazing happily at the side of the road, a park ranger out tidying the park, and a few other cars that must of thought I had broken down and started pushing her due to my incredibly slow pace.

At a little under an hour and only stopping once to snap some pics of the buffalo I finally made it to my site unscathed.   Victory was mine and I celebrated by setting up camp and changing into some cleaner clothes as my riding gear has grown a somewhat pungent aroma already (laundry will have to be soon).  The camp is beautiful though, and after this I expect to get some lunch then hiking in.  The weather is a perfect 70 degrees with a light breeze making it more then comfortable.  I can't help but notice the thunderstorms predicted for the next two days but I guess I'll just have to take those as they come.  For now though victory, serenity, and the glorious Badlands of South Dakota are all mine.