Day One: The idea for a "road trip" had been brought up a long time ago among friends. There was only two of us, but it was going to happen. An 8-day trip from Iowa to Yellowstone and SO much between! We started the journey in Ft. Dodge, IA and the goal for day one was to get through the flat farmland of Iowa and South Dakota and camp the first night in the Badlands.
We made it into the Badlands National Park just before sunset, set up camp, ate quick and played some cards and then hiked out for a few night photos. I really hope you enjoy our adventure through photos as much as we did living it out. Day one:
The same impromptu stop spot, but looking back east down I-90.
The billboards to (mostly) Wall Drug definitely catch your attention. We saw the occasional sign for 1880 Town - but figured we'd pass by it without even noticing. Lucky for us, we needed fuel and just happened to pull off at the 1880 Town exit. Features include trains and bunny rabbits that don't mind a camera.
The aforementioned bunny rabbit. One rabbit, two barn dormers and three fence posts - I liked the composition and was already laying on the ground for the train shot - it just seemed to align itself. I love when that happens!
Before you actually reach the East gate of the Badlands, there is a tourist stop with a gigantic concrete prairie dog that invites you to buy some unsalted peanuts to feed to the actual prairie dogs that live next to the parking lot. We didn't feed the wildlife, but figured we'd say hello and snap some photos.
There were dozens of them running around and peaking up and out of their home holes.
Some of the prairie dogs weren't exactly getting along...
From the top rope! These two wrestled around for a solid five minutes before retiring to separate quarters.
The classic pose.
With a good zoom lens, you can get up close and personal to see the details of their fur and whiskers. You can even see our reflection in his eye if you look close!
Are you talkin' to me?
Ahhhh. The long day in the car finally pays off as you look across the eastern part of the Badlands National Park.
The sun was starting to settle and the colors were so vibrant. It was about this time we knew it was going to be a great week full of great scenery.
Lines after lines after lines. It's mesmerizing to stand and look out at what time and erosion have done to this unique landscape.
The first wildlife we saw were a set of rams in an open field. We stopped quickly to grab a couple photos, discussed riding them... then argued the legal ramifications and then drove to the campsite.
As soon as camp was setup, we took the time to use what daylight we had left to stretch our legs and do some hiking.
The climb up was fun - the climb down a little hairy at times.
The sunset provided quite the color show, even through the prairie grass.
The perfect sunset as a close to the first day of the road trip.
I have ALWAYS been a 'golden hour' guy when it comes to photography and sunsets. My good friend Brandon is a lover of the 'blue hour' and I'll tell you what - nights (and photographs) like this one may have me converted!
I've never personally seen a color gradient quite like this and spent more time just enjoying the view than photographing it. This sentiment would continue as the trip unfolds.
If you look close, you can see the Big Dipper in the sky in the upper right.
With not much light pollution, the stars are so much more visible!
Almost the same view, but the horizontal view gives you a little more Badlands in the foreground.
Last shot from Day One where you can see part of the Milky Way on the right side of the sky. To see it in person is even more spectacular.