Day Fifteen

Ate breakfast in the room as none was included in the stay. Packed and out the door by 9.15am. Stopped for fuel in Wall before we headed ten minutes or so due south to the Pinnacles entrance of Badlands National Park. Unlike Monday it wasn't free, paid the fee and drove in.

Decided to turn right and follow the Sage Creek Rim Road which was a dirt track about 7 miles long. Stopped at all the various overlooks and took photos of the stunning scenery.

View

Another view

Saw some prairie dogs.

Awww

Then saw this sign.

Not so awww

We didn't get out of the car as we didn't want the plaque. Also saw some bison but they were quite far away.

Good bison

We hit the end of the dirt track which joined a tarmac road. Decided although we could go on further that there was nothing anymore interesting that way. Turned round and headed back along the track. Suddenly I slammed on the brakes because I saw this fella on my left.

Is goat

Eventually we joined the main road again and headed on the Badlands Loop Road. As this was tarmac it was a lot busier. A lot busier. Thousands of motorcycles once again. We stopped at various places again along the route when there was room. Stopped for a quick drink on the Conata road before heading back to the main drag. Carried on stopping and taking photos.

Vista

More vista

Then saw this sign at another stop.

Keep off the grass

Said to Ann it would be cool to see a rattlesnake. She didn't agree.

Eventually we got to the Ben Reifel Visitor Centre. I think he is the brother of the former Aussie cricketer Paul or something. Had a look around the displays and got the obligatory magnet. Got back in the car and headed towards the Northeastern exit but pulled over in the Big Badlands Overlook for lunch. 

Big Badlands

I got out and took some photos. A man asked me if I wanted a picture taken. I said no. He then asked me to take his photo. Of course he did! They always do!

Eventually we left the park and headed east on I90. Lost an hour as we left Mountain time and moved back to Central time. Pulled in to the carpark of the 1880 town as we had thought about stopping to have a look. It is a mock up of an old western town. There was a brief discussion in the car and then we left without going in.

Carried on east bound with an 80mph speed limit. Saw a car and caravan on its roof just off the carriageway.

Eventually crossed the Missouri river and ended up in Lee's Motor Inn in Chamberlain, our stop for the night.

Nipped out to Maccy Ds to get some food. Back to watch another golf film on Netflix. This time it was The Long Game. A solid film.

Now going to attempt an early night as my left sinus has been agony all day.

States visited - 10

Bison watch - High

Prairie Dog watch - Even higher