Teddy Roosevelt National Park - 2007

I told my friend, Jack Kline, that I had not been to the North Unit of Teddy Roosevelt National Park, but when we drove there and stopped at River Bend Overlook, it all came back to me.  Back in my sparkin' days, I invited Pam to join me on a trip to the western part of the state.  We stopped at this overlook before driving west to Beach, ND where my grandfather once operated a grocery store.  Unfortunately, that building was destroyed in a fire several years ago.

Jack is the chief cook and consummate planner.  We found a site at the Juniper campground where I managed to erect a tent without hurting myself.  Jack no longer trusts me to bring a tent and poles so he sleeps in his van. 

The Little Missouri River flows through the park and we were fortunate to camp there when the water was high.  For much of the summer, you can wade across the river without getting your knickers wet.

According to the park's web site, "Yearly precipitation in the badlands averages 15 inches. Rain, though infrequent at times, usually comes in heavy, erosive downpours. Water running down slope forms gullies, while some soaks into clay-rich rocks and soils. The added weight of water sometimes causes portions of hill sides to break loose and flow downhill."

There are critters in the park like this lizard enjoying a late afternoon break from bug hunting.

And this baby rabbit waited patiently while I got my camera out and tried to get a decent angle for the photo.

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