There were moments on this trip were I felt I was able to get a better understanding of different perspectives of people and why they may do the things they do. On this particular day, it was that of the stupid tourist. You know….THAT guy.
One of my pre planned stops on my way east through North Dakota was the Painted Canyon Visitors Center at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (F on the map). I was in search of somewhere to stay while driving from Billings, MT (D) to Fargo, ND (H). This location was almost half way and was advertised as a good place to boondock. I had called the visitors center while still in the planning phase of the trip and they confirmed this. It also looked to be in a location that my hotspot would work and had a one mile hike loop through the Badlands. I often mentioned this stop when asked about my trip plans and I was very much looking forward to it.
I arrived very late. The rest area was very dark. There was only one little light above the restroom doors. I quickly parked, found my way to and from the bathroom, crawled in the back and fell asleep.
I woke around 6:30 to this view. I continue to be in awe of the things I’ve been seeing.
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(Click on the pictures to enlarge)
I gazed for awhile (in awe) then headed off on the mile loop.
About half way through there was a small sign that read “overlook” and pointed up a small incline, so I walked up the slope. I could see the path that was ahead of me and there, just across the ravine from the path, stood a bison!
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Pretty amazing creature! He was just standing there, grazing. Just right over there!
I finished the walk and made my way back up to civilization. I stood there for awhile at the parking lot edge looking out on the BadLands. I have been amazed by the sights I’ve gotten to see in my travels and this one was towards the top. I was able to spot, way out in the distance, a few more bison! I pointed them out to a few people that were also looking out and had a few conversations about the beauty of it all.
It was time to start my day and decided to drive to the other side of the rest area where there were some picnic tables. I could set up my stove to make some breakfast and coffee and set up a work area to settle in for a few hours. The picnic tables were in two sided covered structures with the opening out towards the scenery and was such a peaceful place to be. I had my own little office and kitchen area!
As I drove towards the tables, passing the bathrooms, I noticed the bison. I saw it standing there on the grass between the bench, the sign and the tree…. a full sized, stuffed bison! There have been statues of bison everywhere on the trip so far but they were typically very large and metal.
This one was different than those!
SO COOL! I pulled into a spot, hopped out and headed towards it, phone camera in hand. My mind was excited with what to do… how to capture this moment. I definitely wanted to feel the tufts on its head. I internally laughed as I thought to wrap an arm across its head and take a selfie. I wondered what the horns felt like……
