Admiring the Vastness of South Dakota's Badlands

Eric & I stop at Badlands

National Park to see

this unique landscape.

It's an overcast day & the colors

of this undulating landscape are

muted.

The Lakota called this harsh, rocky area "Mako Sica," The Badlands.  French agreed with their assessment, calling the land difficult to traverse.  Traveling through the meandering canyons is confusing and difficult.  The weather can be unpredictable and changes can be sudden.  Temperatures recorded here range from 116 degrees to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  

We get a selfie near the rim.

Eric took two videos.

Layers of sediments and fossils were left by the sea's receding waters.  About 500,000 years ago erosion from area rivers began carving away the floodplain left behind by the ancient sea. 

This area was once an

ancient shallow sea. 

Erosion continues today at about one inch per year.

The white ribbon before us

indicates that braver visitors

 than I walked across the top of

 the ridge to explore further...

When I think of The Badlands, I think of Old West bandits and cattle rustlers hiding in this maze-like area until the heat is off. 

I am happy to stand on the

outer rim of this observation

area to admire the scene.