Travel to Badlands National Park in South Dakota
Travel to Badlands National Park in South Dakota
Blown Away by the Badlands. Literally.
By Patti Morrow
Patti Morrow Explore Badlands National Park in South Dakota.
With just 48 hours to spend in Rapid City, I had already scheduled a visit to Mt. Rushmore, a drive on the Needles Highway, and a Buffalo Jeep Safari at Custer State Park. From my hotel the first night, I spontaneously Googled “things to do” and found that Badlands National Park was just an hour away. I knew that it was highly unlikely that I’d be visiting South Dakota again, so I decided to squeeze it in.
The day started out unseasonably cold, even for early November, so I stopped at a local department store and picked up a warm purple jacket and matching gloves. After an hour of holding my rented Subaru Outback steady as I drove through high winds complete with tumbleweeds blowing across my windshield, I arrived at the Badlands.
Travel to Badlands National Park in South Dakota
Did I say it was windy? Perhaps or gale force would better describe. When I opened the door to get out of the car, the wind nearly blew the door off the hinge. Strong enough to knock me over, I was glad for the guard rails as I walked to the end of the first lookout point.
I’m all for adventure, but plunging headlong into an abyss is a bit much. Even for me.
Badlands in South Dakota – Layers of colorful striations
The wind took my breath away, but not as much as the stunning panorama that is the Badlands. Rocky formations with striations of multi-colored hues all vying for my attention, everywhere I looked. I hadn’t expected it to be this beautiful.
Blown Away by the Badlands. Literally.
Juxtaposed against a sky of deep periwinkle blue, the otherworldly-looking limestone formations paid no attention to the gusty winds that were threatening bring me to my knees. It was not possible to set up my tripod; it was difficult enough just to hang on to my Nikon, and I made sure the strap was securely around my neck and left arm.
Patti Morrow explores South Dakota’s Badlands.
The entire park was deserted, so when I happened upon another lonely couple, I wasn’t shy about asking them to take a photo with me in it. I’d already tried multiple attempts at “selfies,” all of which should have been relegated to the “outtakes” file. Except I like them – they’re funny and tell a story without words.
Badlands National Park – Around every bend in the road is another stunning landscape
I made my way around the “loop” for around three hours, snapping one mesmerizing shot after another, laughing every time I had to get back into my car because the wind made it very clear I would need to use some elbow grease to open the door.
Badlands National Park – Rock formations jutting to the surface
The blustery weather added an unexpected element to the excitement and splendor of the Badlands. Not that it needed it. On equal footing with sights like the Grand Canyon and Sedona, I loved every blown-away minute, and I just might make a return visit.
In the summertime.
If You Go:
Read More Travel Tips and Tales by Patti Morrow:
- The Egypt I Knew: When Western Women Were Welcomed!
- Bora Bora: Bungalows, Beaches, Baguettes and Black Pearls
- Travel Tip: Curacao Ostrich Farm – This Place Is For The Birds!
- 10 Reasons to Visit La Paz, Mexico
- Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, Hawaii
Bio
Patti Morrow
Patti Morrow was born with incurable wanderlust, eventually leading her to a career as a freelance travel writer and photographer. She specializes in women’s adventure travel and has traveled throughout most of the United States and 35 countries abroad.
Patti has been published in numerous media, including International Living, Women’s Home Journal, Travel Post Monthly, MORE magazine, WAVEJourney.com, and Diva Toolbox and was featured on Tori Johnson (of Good Morning America) Spark and Hustle.
She is the editor of Luggage, Lipstick and Laptop, an online resource for women’s adventure travel, and is a member of ITWPA, AWAI, Intrepid Travel, Media Kitty, and TravelWriters.com.
See Where Patti Is Now:
http://www.luggageandlipstick.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pattimorrowI
https://twitter.com/vagabondPatti
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