It's been a while, but since I've learned I can bring my computer to work, well, here we are. And yes, I said work. I have a legit full time job now. Something that I haven't held in 23 years. I was a stay at home Mom and then my ex felt I should be taking care of his every need and of course, a job would take that away. It feels quite nice to be able to do what I want when I want and if I want to work a seventy-two hour shift, no one can keep me from doing so. What can I say? Freedom is the greatest thing on Earth! This job is only temporary though, it's a stepping stone to get me closer to being able to start a cajun food truck!
Ok enough about that.
Check this out...
Sunrise in Badlands, SD
Driving west to Rapid City was quite an experience, I decided to take the scenic route until I got stopped by two masked Native Americans at the border of the Pine Ridge Reservation. Here's how the conversation went...
Native American: Hmmmm... no front plate?
Me: No, I'm from New Orleans front plates are not necessary.
Native American: What the hell are you doing all the way up here?
Me: Well, right now, I'm trying to go to Rapid City.
He starts to walk to the back of my car to get the numbers off of my license plate. The other masked one is just standing there staring at me.
Native American: Well, you want the good news or bad news first?
Me: I guess give me the bad news.
Native American: You can't drive through here, you have to go to the interstate, it's faster that way anyway.
Me: Okay, Bye!
I didn't wait for the good news, and I probably didn't want to know the good news, or even think of what that good news could be. I didn't ask any questions. I happily turned my ass around and went to the interstate. And by that time, I had seen plenty of scenery anyway. These were some pretty intimidating dudes with their covered faces. And it was just little old me alone in my vehicle. A local told me, "I would have just drove through." Ummmm no, that's not good advice. Thanks anyway.
Anyway, after the "event" at the border of the reservation, I made it to the Badlands. And let me just say... The Badlands are badass!! You kind of expect a place with a name like that to look a certain way. Well, folks it did not disappoint.
Sunrise in Badlands, SD
I know the pictures do this place no justice. When I look at them now, they do not compare to seeing this place with your own eyes. It was windy that day and a little too chilly for my taste so I was shivering on my walk, but the beauty took my breath away and I didn't think about it too much. The jagged rocks stretched as far as the eye could see and with my limited vocabulary it's hard to find the right word to express how stunning this place is.
I left early in the morning as it was a three hour drive to Rapid City and I had some things to take care of so I didn't have very long to dilly dally but the timing could not have been more perfect.
Not a cloud in the sky. The way the sun shined on the rocks... had I been a better photographer, I would have been able to take advantage of the situation but as it was, I had to keep picking up my bottom jaw from dragging.
At the end of the walk way was a lookout, which is something common here... they have scenic lookouts on the side of the highways because the scenery is so beautiful. When you look over the side of the lookout straight down, the jagged points made me bring my arms back over the handrail. If I take one misstep, I would quickly become food for the wildlife in the area. Don't laugh, like I said, it was windy... we take no chances!
Maybe next time I take a ride through the Badlands, I'll be brave and take a picture pointing straight down. It was a sight to behold. My son decided not to take this ride with me, and of course I told him how much he missed out on. I showed him the pictures when I got home just to make him jealous. It worked.
I want to get back to the Badlands after a snowfall. can you imagine this place covered in snow? I want... wait no, I need more pictures. I hope you've enjoyed this little adventure into the Badlands, and I hope that you get to see this place with your own eyes if you haven't one day. It's definitely worth the trip!
