After the Denver area, we headed north to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska to visit Scotts Bluff National Monument.
It wasn't the most exciting monument around, but still pretty interesting. The basic story of Scott's death was that after contracting an illness, two comrades placed him in a boat and attempted to transport him downstream (in 1830); for some unknown reason, the men abandoned scott on the north bank of the Platte River. The next spring, Scott's remains were found. And here it is today - Scott's Bluff (like I said - not all that exciting).
We should have had our running shoes and joined the locals running up the path to the top of the bluff - but instead, we wore hiking shoes and walked it. It was pretty - just not all that exciting.
After the bluff, we headed north about an hour to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. We started on the Daemonelix Trail and then went to the Visitor's Center. It would have been nice to do the University/Carnegie Hill trails, but there wasn't time. The visitor center had an excellent ranger who gave us a brief history before starting the video.
Very much grasslands around this part of Nebraska - thankfully, we saw no snakes.
Then, another longer drive to the Badlands of South Dakota.
We wanted to make the visitor center before it closed. Glad we did - they had some nice displays. After our earlier visit to Agate, we appreciated that the fossil lab was open and operational.
We set off on the Notch Trail.
There are not a whole lot of hiking trails in the Badlands - I suspect because it is a bit shadeless and hot here most of the year. We had been here once before, it was much like we remember it.
The notch trail wasn't too difficult, but there was a ladder in the middle of it.
Very dry - very barren in some of the canyon areas.
The view at the end of the trail. After another short hike, we decided to eat at the lodge and then make our way down the scenic drive as the sun started to set. This provided a lot of wildlife viewing.
A lot of animals right next to the road.
At one of the overlooks, we met a man out on his motorcycle for 4.5 months so far!
It was a beautiful sunset.
The Badlands became more beautiful.
By the time we got to the Pinnacles entrance, there was not a lot of light left.
4 comments:
Yep - the Badlands are stunning at sunset. Wished I could've caught them at better light when I was there earlier this year, but when traveling with your parents, you're kind of tied to their schedule. Can't wait to read more posts from your trip.
Love the wildlife and the sunset pictures!
The Badlands look much more exciting - that sunset is awesome. I'd love to spend a few days exploring them.
Thanks for all the lovely photos. There is so much more beauty in the USA that I wish to see one day!
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