A HOT! Time in the Badlands

Sunday was our big day in the Badlands. Saturday at the night program the Ranger shared that Saturday had been the warmest day of the year, but fear not, Sunday was going to be warmer. Oh, and it was. It was 92 by our 8:30 a.m. Geology Walk and over 100 for the 10:30 a.m. Jr. Ranger Program. By the time we left the park after the 1:30 p.m. Fossil Walk it was 106 and the word "hot" just didn't seem to capture the inferno that was the Badlands. This is a family blog, but I developed all kinds of colorful adjective combinations to describe the words "hot" and "degrees."

That bit of grousing out of the way - the Badlands really are an incredible place. Once in the large formations, every where you turn is a new and spectacular scene. These were all formed after the dinosaurs by erosion left over from the big inland ocean that covered the middle of the united states. There are many, many fossils here, but not dinosaur fossils, because the dinos didn't swim out that far. Much to Maddie's dismay, any fossils she may have found, (no she did not find any), had to be left behind and reported to a Ranger. They have paleontologists on call 24/7 just in case a fossil is found. This fact was mentioned a couple times and I couldn't help but laugh picturing random paleontologists just waiting to spring into action after getting "the call." But apparently it's a big deal in certain circles.

The Jr. Ranger program lasted 45 minutes in a dried out creek bed and focused on features of a prairie. Since I promised no more grousing let me just tell you about the Jr. Ranger programs in the National Parks. The national sites we have been to over the past two years have each had they're own Jr. Ranger programs. They have different formats at each one and different ways to earn badges or patches. Usually they are workbooks that a kid can fill out and complete by checking out the highlights of the park. The Rangers are usually excited to help, but they do correct the whole thing before you get your badge. The kids also are issued an oath by the Ranger to enjoy and protect the parks. It's a great way to keep them interested as we grown-ups enjoy the scenery and information.

In the Badlands, the kids completed a bingo card with things they saw or learned about in the prairie. The Ranger Allison did an excellent job keeping the kids interested by making prairies really interesting. We've yet to come across a Ranger that wasn't just top notch. Maddie earned a badge AND a patch during this program.

The Fossil Walk turned out to be a Fossil "Talk" under the shade of a gazebo next to a fossil trail. Maddie said the most interesting thing she learned was that some of the species found in the area are the ancestors of today's domestic cats. I opted out of that one and did a little "planning" for the next few days in the AC.

Probably the biggest downfall of the heat was that we weren't able to do any of the hikes or climb on the formations. The Badlands is what is called an "open park" so you can go and do whatever you would like. Maddie would have loved to practice her mountain goat techniques and I'm sure the hikes would have been well worth it. I guess someday we'll just have to get back and do it.

Next, we were off to Deadwood. An old western town developed during the gold rush and known now for low stakes gambling. The entire town is on the historic register and it is the final resting place for Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane. It was about a 3 hour drive from the Badland's and we stayed at The Lodge at Deadwood.

The Lodge at Deadwood is a brand new hotel/casino/restaurant. They opened Dec. 2009. Our room was huge with 2 Queen beds and a roll-away couch. The pool was very nice for the 8 and under set. It was set up like the toddler area of a water park. Little slides, mushroom fountains and lily pads. The deepest spot was 3'6". Maddie had fun with the lily pads. The hot tub was huge but out of service. They seem to be working out some of the kinks in the hotel - including their alleged wi-fi. But for us, it was a good location and a wonderful treat after my version of roughing it in the Badlands.

We missed the gunfights on the streets downtown but had dinner at Diamond Lil's. It was kind of a shrine to Kevin Costner. They had many of his costumes from all his movies. Dances with Wolves was filmed in the area and he is still fond of the area. The food was very average, buffalo burgers and a regular burger. We probably wouldn't recommend it unless you are a huge Kevin Costner fan.

Monday we'll go a little farther west and travel to Wyoming - Yee Ha!