The Badlands

I've driven by this National Park the last few years on the road and this time I decided to stop for a night.  I am so glad I did.  Even though it's off of  boring highway 90, it's like you stumbled upon a different world.  When I first looked at the rock formations, it reminded me of those glass jars you could buy at tourist shops with layers of pastel colored sand in them.  Or, you might have made those yourself at some point to decorate your stylish room.

The mountains and rock formations are beautiful.  Max and I set up camp at a lovely site that gave us plenty of room to stretch out.  The weather was perfect, scenery was beautiful.  We even slept with the "windows" on the tent open in order to see the sunrise.  It didn't disappoint.

This site is one of the more relaxing and beautiful sights I've been to so far.  Voices in this small campsite carry and lucky for us, most campers realized that and kept it down.  If you visit, know that the sites don't have hook ups and there aren't fires allowed.  What they do have is a beautiful view and a sky that seems to go on for miles.

If you are traveling cross country and need a break from the highway, this is the best you can ask for in the middle of South Dakota.

I am glad I took the time to take a break off of the highway to see this beautiful park.

Glacier National Park

I have always wanted to go to Glacier.  On each road trip the past few years, it was just far enough North that I was unable to visit.  After leaving Spokane, I headed to visit a photographer friend (more on her in the next post) and took a day trip to the park.

The day I went to visit, it rained the entire time.  That's the risk you take when you take a trip somewhere, you never know what weather to expect once you are there.  It didn't ruin my day or diminish the experience.  The park itself is quiet magical.  The roads were being worked on so I waited to pass on a one lane road on the side of a cliff in the rain which was interesting, to say the least.

I headed into the park and went as far as Logan Pass.  The views were amazing and I am sure even better on a clear day.  I love being in nature.  I don't do so well with crowds, however.  The parks are for all to enjoy but when I wait in my car for an hour to go a mile, I feel like I am in the city.

After a few photographs, I was on my way.  I would love to spend more time at this magical park and I hope to do that some day.  As with all of our National Parks, it is one not to miss.