Badlands

My furry friend!

Today we went through the Badlands.  It is quite a beautiful place.  First stop was the Prairie Dog Town, where for a nominal $.50 fee you can get a bag of Prarie Dog food and feed them.  The first couple of dogs were skittish and not at all interested but when I went to the back area one came running up and almost tackled me for the peanut.  He was too cute!

Took it right out of my fingers:)

Side note.. On the way out of the Badlands, we noticed a hawk circling and then suddenly drop.  The food chain in action! He had caught a Prairie Dog!  I was wishing I had my camera and glad that I didn't at the same time.  Oh well, at least it wasn't my chubby little guy.

We didn't see a squirrel today but I still claim a Barf Vader sighting as Prairie Dogs are kinda sorta are squirrely!

 I'm thinking this fellow and I should diet together!

At any rate,  after the prairie dogs we went on to several overlooks.  It had rained the night before and I decided that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to climb up on a notched area.  The view was absolutely amazing!  Amazing I say!   Tommy decided to follow me but then was slightly paniced as it was way muddy and slippery.  Turns out he was right to panic.  He fell on the way down!  Poor guy.. Not only did he get all of his clothes muddy and I do mean muddy.  He cut up his leg and elbow:(  I am a bad sister. After I knew he was okay I couldn't stop chuckling.  I have a picture but am forbidden from posting it! We had our suitcases in the car and he was able to change clothes so it all turned out in the end.

The infamous muddy notch:)

At any rate.  Mom was okay walking the boardwalks but going off on a trail was not her thing so she walked the parking lot looking for those elusive northeastern state license plates. As it turned out she actually found Hawaii!  I still say Alaska is cheating until it's not my car though!   

The view from the notch with dramatic setting.

This was at the end of the Door trail.  Almost looks human in development!

Mom and Tommy

 The side picture is a view of people standing in the notched area that I had climbed before hiking door trail.  I am actually on Door Trail looking back.

Mom and Tommy

View from the Notch trail on dramatic coloring setting

 Mom and Tommy enjoyed some together time while I took myself on the Notch Trail Hike.  It started out really pretty and then you climb.  At one point you climb up and down a ladder built into the side of the mountain.  Gotta say that was a highlight.  Kinda scary though too.  Also the signs telling you to stay left or right because the cliff is dangerous are intimidating as well. 

Ladder you climb up and down from the top!

 Halfway through the hike you are surrounded by steep mountainous hills.  The air is still and the flies are biting and then you get to the Notch.  The air blows through and makes you feel almost cold.  It's magnificent.  I would love to go back because I am betting the sunset would be simply amazing!

After the hikes, pant... pant.. pant.. we got back in the car and headed to the visitor's center which had a lot of information on the area and where we were able to get our National Park Passports stamped.  When I first bought the books, Thomas was like what do we need these for?  Now he's like.... where else are we getting stamps?  It's addictive!

After I came up this gentleman went down!

Scary signs!

Made it!

One of the neat formations I saw on the hike

Proof ! and a scary, fat photo to boot:)