After viewing the Painted canyon (see previous blog), we were anticipating a wonderful sight when we arrived in the Theordore Roosevelt National Park. But first we had to travel through a little town called Menora….and it was absolutley gorgeous. Everything was set up like a Wild Western town, with even the playground following the same theme.
The Wild Western Playground
What a backdrop!
We ate dinner in this gorgeous town, then made our way to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where Trev takes up the story…………
Akaisha sitting and waiting........
Burgers, Fries and Corn Dogs were the order of the day!
Full after our feast....
Theodore Roosevelt National Park… What a Beauty!
We didn’t know what to expect at the North Dakota Badlands. Arriving very late we entered the park and headed for the campground only to find it was almost full up. We managed to find a spot, and then we went for a night walk to get our bearings. We noticed lots of giant (and I mean giant) cow patties all over the place. It was a beautiful still warm night. We decided to hit the sack so that we could get up early to drive around the park and hopefully see some wildlife.
Restaurant in the little town of Menora.
Small version of what we saw in the National Park!
At 5.30am the alarm went off. I hadn’t slept well as I was conscious of our early morning start and during the night we could hear coyotes howling off in the distance. The kids wouldn’t wake up so I drove off with them all in their beds. Out of the camp ground we crept around the first corner and low and behold, smack bang in the middle of the road, was a massive bull bison! The kids bounced out of bed all starry-eyed! The bull was huge and not afraid of us at all. He just stood there only a few feet from our RV.
Early morning visitor crossing our path.
Now there were signs everywhere saying don’t go near these buffalo as they can be dangerous. Our old boy looked very much at peace with the world and appeared to be very placid, however, we weren’t game to get out of the RV.
Picturesque view so early in the morning.
On we went in eager anticipation of what lay ahead. And within minutes we pulled up as a family of Mule Deer appeared on the side of the road. They also weren’t the least bit frightened! They just trotted past as we clicked away on our camera.
Mule deer out in force.
A mule deer crossing our path.
The unique landscape was stunning to look at. The pictures don’t do it justice! It was like a moonscape with bizarre eroded grey clay hills scattered all about the place casting long shadows in the pre-dawn light. There were splatterings of trees and lots of bare ground or grassy areas. The park road wound its way around these hills for about 35km.
Chayse fronting a beautiful backdrop
Special rock formations with layers of coal.
An animal spotting game was introduced in the RV, with points scored for the different species of animals. A coyote was worth ten points, a deer was worth three and a buffalo five. The game really got going with Amber hitting 45 points when she spotted a herd of wild horses. Jai, who was always keen to out do his sister, was spotting deer and buffalo everywhere.
An old bison (buffalo) having a morning scratch.
A mule deer or white tailed deer spotted!
Badlands Overlook
Colours changing fast.
A Prairie Dog
Then suddenly we hit upon a Prairie Dog Town and the kids went mad tallying up their scores as there were literally hundreds of little Prairie Dogs standing up on their hind legs sounding of their warning alarm calls. That ended the game!
Prairie Dog City
Prairie dogs everywhere. They get their name from the dog-like bark when they are alarmed.
A Prairie Dog up close.
We stopped to have our breakfast along the Prairie Dog Town as the sun poked its head up over the hills. Getting up early was well worth the effort as we saw many animals and were able to enjoy the park in its early morning glory before all the regular visitors arrived.
Walking in the Prairie Dog city.
Eating breakfast with the Prairie Dogs
After our lovely early morning jaunt through Theodore National Park, we found another camping ground in Menora to catch up on washing of clothes and generally relaxing before heading into South Dakota.
Akaisha relaxing at our campground
Kids found new friends to play with.
Playing some more....
Hi Trev and Cath and the 7 Brides for 7 Brothers,
Wonderful pics of the buffalo and the wildlife. A great idea to get up early – well at least the driver :)))
Love Scott
Hi Scott,
I got up early too! 🙂 Certainly was worth getting up early. As they say, “The early bird catches the worm”.
Cath
Hey Howitts
Some of those pics remind a little of the Kimberley. You are right tho…pictures can never do a place like that justice! The wildlife is pretty cool! Great photos!
I have just come back from visiting Brooke and the kids in Geraldton….not quite the same scenery…but I do like new Indian Ocean Highway…only 5 1/2 hrs from here now…if ya dont stop!!!! Guy, Kylie and Dad are still another 2 1/2 wks away…but the time has gone very quickly. Darrin and Leonie left on Monday… and the holidays are flying by.
missing you XXXX
You’re right about time flying by! Can’t believe we are into October already!
Have seen more wildlife since this post, but you’ll have to keep checking for the next blog!
Hope Leonie and Darrin are enjoying their trip so far. Not long before the rest of your family are back either. Missing you too. Enjoy your well-earned break.
Cath and fam xx