Badlands National Park, SD (plus a video!)

 Badlands National Park is full of eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires, mixed with beautiful grass prairie land (we got to see our prairie dog friends again!). The landscape is stunning and shocking, especially since we hadn't yet seen anything like it. We spent only a couple hours driving around the park, and I would say that's plenty of time to take it all in - we definitely didn't feel like we were missing out by omitting the trail walks or overnight camping.

Maybe the coolest part about the park was the mountain goats!!! So many exclamation points because they were that cool.  They hang out in the pinnacles and seem to defy nature as they walk about. How they keep from falling is a mystery to me.  The cool factor of all the colors and layers of the spires and pinnacles came in at a very close second place.

When we arrived at the park the sun was high, causing harsh shadows on the landscape, and by the time we neared the end of the park the sun was starting to set, allowing for some softer views. I have to say, it was neat to see the transition of the sun and the impact it had on the views.

-Amanda