Chamberlain and Badlands, South Dakota

Panoramic sunrise from Cliffs where we stayed while at Badlands

South Dakota is beautiful with hills and grasslands rolling into unique rock formations in the Badlands and mountainous tree lines of the Black Hills.   I said in the last post this is God's paradise with all it's beauty, mild temperatures, and low humidity.   BUT, the weather can turn on a dime without warning with super cells and golf ball size hail or tornados.  I guess that's the price you pay to enjoy what I have described!   

Our first 3 day stop was Chamberlain to break up the drive before the Badlands.  As we were setting up the trailer a loud piercing siren filled the air and we starting looking around for what we needed to do.   The RV Park Manager came over and told us they test the siren the first Monday of each month (tornados).  Glad it was a test!  Chamberlain is a small town on the Missouri river (Lewis and Clark reference) where gas was $4.29 gallon, small movie theatre ticket was $5 (we saw Top Gun Maverick), and bowling was $3 a game.....cheap!  It rained a fare amount but we were able to get out and do a little exploring/hiking.   

Large Indian Woman Statue named Destiny on exit before Chamberlain by Missouri River

Hiking Trail above the town

RV Park beside the Missouri River (Lewis & Clark references at the park)

Gyros for Dinner!

 

Movie theatre showing Top Gun Maverick

Badlands was next stop for two day stint.  We took a quick hike along Notch Trail once we got inside the park.  This particular trail had ladders and cliffs that needed to be maneuvered.  I didn't realize for Kami this was difficult due to her fear of heights (she told me after the hike) but she was a trooper by keeping up for this 2 mile one way hike (we did have to come back).  She mentioned the following day how sore her thighs were from the hike.  😛   After the hike, we stayed along a cliff with beautiful view of the valley and rock formations (this was free spot).   After we pulled in and set up, Kami set up a nice charcuterie board with a couple of our new favorite beers, Busch Light (inflation!).   The weather was fantastic and after we were done we decided to get changed and go into small town of Wall that is a famous stop over for tourist.   WELL (when you see me spell it this way it's not good) as we were getting ready, Kami looked out the window and noticed the chairs starting to move towards the cliff and screamed to me to get them.   Like that, the weather changed and the winds got up to  mph 50-60 mph along with heavy rain.   Kami gathered everything important and was ready to get in the truck (in case the trailer blew over the side of cliff 😟).   Scary right!   I think the saving grace was the trailer was facing straight into the wind instead of sideways.   The trailer was still rocking and personally I was getting nervous and not wanting Kami to see it.   So what did we do? Played cards and drank more beer in the trailer and watch the weather on TV.  About 2 hours later the wind subsided and the sun came back out like it never happened.    That's South Dakota!  The rest of the time there was great and the following morning we woke to a gorgeous sunrise.  Couple of mentions as we didn't see any buffalo or rams but a TON of Prairie Dogs.  They are cute but dart back into their holes as soon as you stop to get a picture.      

Kami going up the ladder (she had to go down this same ladder backwards).  She said this is where she was the most tense but she seems to be smiling.   I guess when you are getting your picture taken you put on your best face.  Next couple of pictures show ledge and sign that says "Dangerous Cliff Keep Right".   Not sure why Kami was nervous 😛

Kami on cliff edge of Notch Trail.

Sign "Dangerous Cliff Stay Right".   Not sure why Kami was tense.  😆

At the top of Notch Trail overlooking valley.  Now we have to go back down.  

              Trailer from other side of cliffs

Picture taken from walk showing trailer from cliff side

Kami enjoying the view from our spot on the cliff.  This will be by far the best FREE location, I think?   

Kami looking for Prairie Dogs.  They kept running in the hole when we came up to get picture.

Prairie Dogs from a distance.   This was the closest we could get to them to photograph.  

 

Next post will be Devil's Tower, Deadwood, Black Hills, Custer State Park, Mt Rushmore.  We have been busy and have had trouble keeping up with blog.   I guess that's a good thing to stay busy.