Badlands National Park

Our next stop was Badlands National Park. We spent four days in the park, exploring and marveling at the colorful layers of rock and the power of erosion.

You think?

Unusual formations at each turn.

Some were smooth.

Some very jagged.

If you look carefully near the edge of the shadow in the lower part of the picture, you can see a couple of big horn sheep.

A big horn sheep walks by.

You can really see the different layers here.

This bison was in the western part of the park where we also saw prairie dogs, hawks, coyotes and many more bison.

One of the many windows we saw.

Magnificent sunset

Black Hills Area, South Dakota

After leaving West Yellowstone, our first destination was the Rapid City area of South Dakota. It had been 21 years since we had visited there and our friends David and Diane have a temporary home there. Two great reasons to go spend a few days there.

Our peaceful, quiet campsite at the Belle Fourche Reservoir. The RV you can see is our rig.

In addition to the view, we were treated to this colorful sunset.

Arriving at Devils Tower

These two rock climbers look like insects walking up the vertical rock.

The campground at Devils Tower.

There is a prairie dog town near the tower.

David and Diane know the area well and were kind enough to be our tour guides. They took us on some great rides where we saw the beauty of the Black Hills.

Notice the vehicle tunnel in the center of the picture.

The needle's eye.

Crazy Horse Monument

Antelope Fire in Yellowstone

A week ago when we went into Yellowstone, we stopped for a couple of hours at a lookout over this wildfire. It was the largest of the 11 fires in Yellowstone this year. Shortly after we went through the Tower area, they closed the road as the fire was moving in that direction. They quite often let the fires burn, unless they are threatening life or buildings. In this case they were managing the fire and we watched as the helicopters dumped water on the fire and the planes spread fire retardant ahead of the fire. It was amazing how fast the flames torched trees and moved across the meadows.

If you look really close, you can see a couple of fire fighters at the top of the hill.

This tanker is being led by a small twin engine plane at the bottom left of picture.

This picture shows how large the smoke cloud is in comparison to the RV at left.

September In and Around Yellowstone

Last weekend we visited Yellowstone and also took a ride to check out the National Forest campgrounds near Island Park, Idaho. Any time of year is wonderful here, but fall is the best.

This Bald Eagle was enjoying the day also.

We don't get the bright red and orange fall colors of the northeast, but the golden leaves are like sunshine.

We spent some time admiring this Blue Heron. It reminds us of the ones we used to see in Fall Creek, behind our house.

Sawtell Peak in the background, the subject of previous posts.

A bull elk keeping an eye on his harem.

Wind Storm August 28 2010

A couple of days ago we had a big wind storm blow through West Yellowstone. We were at work when it happened, and these are a few shots of the damage we saw when we got out of work. All these were taken on the north end of town, in and near our RV park.

Our park managers' rig, only two spots from ours. Thankfully they are both okay.

Another view of their rig. John was taking a nap in the recliner which is in the slide out right under where the tree hit. What a rude awakening.

Help arrived in the form of a large crane. It was the only way to safely remove the tree without further damage. You can see the cable tied to the trunk.

After cutting the bottom of the tree free from the stump, it was lowered to the ground. A big sigh of relief. You can see our 'house' at the left of the picture.

The large tree extends from their site to ours.

A close call also in our small RV park. This section of tree was ripped from the bottom section, hurled over the border fence to the left of this shot and landed here. Tom and Nancy, this is the site you guys stayed in when you were here.

Just a block away, this tree barely missed another RV.

These next six shots are of what remains of the roof of the Best Western.

Another building in the same block as the Best Western.

Another hotel in town.

The rest of the pictures are vehicles parked on the property behind the Best Western. It shows you don't have to be parked near trees to be in danger.

This fifth wheel was knocked off the front blocks.