Wild West Day 5 September 25

Last night's sunset and starry sky were amazing. The Milky Way was so clear. Beautiful. The beauty was matched by today's sunrise. We were up early and it was such a wonderful start to the day. AND I heard coyotes and the church bells ringing at 9:00 a.m.

Neighbours Richard and Susan are from Toronto, and we enjoyed their company. They're in his father's 1979 truck camper, and she has tricked it out quite nicely, though she did drool when she saw our MH!

Time for the Badlands Loop Road. First stop we saw the first of many “Watch for Rattlesnakes” sign. The only rattler we ended up seeing was a dead one, squashed on the road. Some of you (Ann and Heather) might say that's the best kind of rattlesnake.

Highlights were the bus of Aussies we met (New York to L.A. In 24 days) and the many, many Little Dogs on the Prairie.

The Homestead overlook gave a sense of the original 100's of homesteaders' tar shacks and sod huts every 1/4 section on the land. Today, only two large “ranches” remain.

After lunch, we spotted a our first Bighorns.

Later, at the Hay Butte Overlook, two buffalo in the distance. We would have loved to camp near there, but the 12 mile road was gravel and washboard and we didn't want the risk. 

We headed back to the original campground. On the was, we spotted a family of Bighorns (Dad, Mom and kids...one who nursed-painfully for the Mom it appeared) for the camera. 

Next were about a dozen Pronghorns as well.

I took a short bike ride and saw a Magpie. After another glorious sunset, we spotted a skunk and a black cat (?). An animal-filled day.

Here's today's view from my chair!