Road Trip ’23 – Day 7 – Make the Best of Things

Badlands, Wall Drugs, Country Roads

It was a little bitter sweet. Today was the last day we were to spend in the National Parks. It was the last day we explored, hiked, experienced what we came to experience. From here, we would return to the Old Dominion, where country roads would take us home. I’m not sure if it was the acknowledgement this was all, or the realization we had a 22+ hours ride back to the old homestead. 

But I wanted to make the best of things.

We rose early. Even got out to explore a bit before breakfast. We went back to the Door/Window Trails, but intentionally for the trail next to it … the Nook Trail. Now, I didn’t complete this trail last time. It contains one of the well known items in the Badlands – a rope/wood ladder up a cliff side.

Last time was too wet. The sun was melting the snow, the small dry beds and crevices were turned to slush and shin deep water – freezing water. And as good as my Merrells are, they wouldn’t hold back that. I learned this truth in the first of the snow banks I stepped on … the ice gave way to frigidness beneath.  But this time – it was warm, sunny, and I was ready to climb.

It was smaller than I expected. A third of it was almost horizontal, where one would walk on it instead of climb it. So I began the ascent and conquered the challenge. 

DANG – my phone just died and no photos to prove it, or to record the view from the top. 

Sometimes, in an effort to save moments for the future, the phones/cameras prevent us from living in the moments we desire to save. So I looked, took it all in, savored the moment. I understand why musicians often tell people to put their phones away and enjoy the moment.

We need to stop with the tech and live in the moments. Take in the horizon. Admire the mountains and valleys and prairies. To breath in the fresh air.

My wife – she remained below. Let’s just say she is vertically challenged. She is not short. But she is wary of not being solidly on terra firma. 

From there, we went to breakfast at the BNP diner. PANCAKES. I was wanted pancakes. And wohoo. They were good. We then spent more then we should’ve in the gift shoppe. We packed out the cabin and we headed out.

Vistas, Overviews, Short Boardwalks, Historical and Geological Informational Signs, and crammed parking lots. There weren’t an overwhelming amount of people, but the parking lots were not that big.

Time was short … But I wanted to make the best of things.

About a mile before the park exit, we took a side road. Gravel and dirt. Dusty and full of ruts. We went about five miles in till we reached the area I was headed for. A little community. Well, not to little. Hundreds, maybe thousand or more homes. But these homes were sub-terrarium. Below the ground. And these neighbors all got along. This community has a name … Prairie Dog Town.

These cute little mammals are everywhere. They share the topside with many other animals, some predatory, some friendly. We saw bisons grazing near the edge of the town. (We also saw some people acting with a bit of idiocy as they walked casually towards the bisons – but, people have a right to act like idiots.)

God’s system in the Animal Kingdom is amazing. I know I use that word a lot – but it’s very appropriate. 

From there, we did another five miles on the dirt/gravel roads til we got outside the park. We headed into Wall and went to the Wall Drug Store.

The craziness of the merchants, the food courts, the bustling busy-ness. Lisa got drawn into a leather store looking at boots, are maybe just the aroma – captivating. 

We had limited time – parking was crazy, like looking for a spot on Black Friday at the local mall – crazy. We found a ten-minute spot.

So I wanted to make the best of things.

I left here in her state of aromatic awe and ventured deeper into the market. The closest I had experienced this was the Stock Yards in Fort Worth.  

One interesting little alcove in the Wall Drug Store was a chapel – yes a chapel. Hundreds clamored over their famous donuts. Hundreds more looking at lists stuffed buffalo and prairie dog. Hundreds still were looking at Native American artistic wares. But no one  was in the chapel.

So I thought of my statement – I wanted to make the best of things – and I prayed for all those there (and that if my 10 minutes ran out, I would not get caught)

I got teeshirts and PJs for the grandkid. I got donuts. I got ice cream and cherry pie for my wife. AND … We made the ten minute window – kinda.

Then I headed east. With a Sugar High. And headed home.

But the adventure isn’t over. Join me next week as I look at the people I met along the way.

Key point for today – do what you can to make the best of things.