We are getting into a travel rhythm now. We SP at 0930 without even thinking about it and departed from our geese squawking lake (not complaining it was awesome).
Giant metal sculpture near Gladstone on Interstate 94 in the jumping off point for the Enchanted Highway
Traveled west on I94 a short 116 miles, stopping at Menards, then on to Theodore Roosevelt NP where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands. We went to the visitor center, where we watched a short movie about Teddy, and learned about the Maltese Cross Cabin, where President Roosevelt once lived, and why this area was so important to him.
Teddy came here to heal after his wife, Alice and his mother Martha died on the same day, 14 Feb 1884, just two days after the birth of their daughter, Alice. In due time, Teddy would also live at the Elkhorn Ranch, which I think could be the “birthplace” of Virgil and Delores’ Elkhorn, but I’m not sure. And speaking of being related, did you know Teddy and FDR (Franklin D. Roosevelt) were 5th cousins?
The park is a habitat for bison, elk, Mustangs (feral horses), prairie dogs and coyotes. We saw many, many bison and horses, and prairie dogs. The colorful Painted Canyon was closed due to winter, and the Scenic Loop Drive winds past several overlooks but a portion was closed due to landslides.
So Bigfoot and Elkhorn drove the portion of the loop that we could and was not disappointed viewing so much wildlife. At one pullout there was a colony of prairie dogs. Looking through binoculars we were able to watch a coyote eat a prairie dog, and then continue to slyly hunt another by laying next to a mound.
These small, chubby-looking mammals are tough fighters with a powerful bite and sharp claws. They live in tight-knit family groups called coteries that consist of a few males and several females and their pups. These families live in prairie dog towns and their tunneling can be as much as 6 foot deep which creates shelter for jackrabbits, toads, and rattlesnakes.
After an amazing ride along the scenic route, we decided to call it a day and find a spot at the campground. No hook up, and Virgil spotted a couple of nice spots on the blacktop. So we grabbed those, got our chairs out and engaged in happy hour. Oh, btw, the campsite only cost $3.50 with our senior pass.
