Not So Bad in Badlands

With lunch packed, water bottles filled, hiking boots laced up we were ready to see this land they call, Badlands. During our journey we have seen similar type formations but there was something different about this soil. It was mostly clay and would break apart easily. We haven't seen anything like this before. The rain has eroded much of it already. The results are rings of clay around this formations that slope away forming a smooth clay skirt.

The hike we chose was not an easy one. Given our lack of exercise in quite awhile, these hills were going to test us and early. Aside from scrambling over loose footing we had to climb this stairway to Badlands.

With signs warning of rattlesnakes along the trail the tall grass that would bend over and hide the trial at some points made it a bit more interesting. At one point Reta came to a sudden stop on the trail. There, soaking up the afternoon sun was a small snake. Before we could dare to inspect it for markings it slithered off into the tall grass. It could have been a rattlesnake but we'll never know.

The trail took us through the different eco-systems. First through the tall grasslands than we descended into the Badlands. We walked until our feet started hurting. Our legs had given out long before. With the sun starting to hide behind some of these tall clay mountains we were close to finishing. After eight miles of hiking we had made it back. Alive, tired, hungry, dirty and sore.

Another great day!

Wednesday morning we are on the road once again. Compass is still pointing East.