Having been to the Medora Musical, it was time to see Medora’s other highlight and our original reason for putting Medora on our itinerary: Teddy Roosevelt National Park in the North Dakota Badlands. But first, breakfast.
There really was no decision to make: We’re going to TR National Park and one of us is named Theodore, so we ate at Theodore’s in the Rough Riders Hotel. The hotel is named for the volunteer cavalry unit led by Teddy Roosevelt, and is historically charming.
Surprise! Look whose bust is on the mantel.
The architecture is beautiful throughout the hotel.
Check out Theodore’s themed menu offerings–Teddy’s Favorite, Rough Rider Benedict, Bully Breakfast Sandwich, and Custer’s Last Sandwich.
Ted and I have flown over the Badlands, but we’ve never before had boots (or sandals) on the ground. The Badlands were carved by intense weather patterns and experience significant erosion every year, exposing new layers of sediment and revealing new fossil beds. The ground in the Badlands includes deep sinking sand, steep slopes, dry loose soil, and slippery clay–qualities that make it difficult to farm, develop, or travel across. At the same time, these qualities make the landscape mysteriously beautiful.
Teddy Roosevelt came to the Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, fell in love with the area and, by the end of his 15-day trip, had purchased a ranch on the Little Missouri River about 35 miles north of Medora. Roosevelt often referred to it as his “home ranch.” According the the National Park Service, Roosevelt’s love for this area helped shape a conservation policy that we still benefit from today.
It was hot today, and the wind was very strong. This was a high, exposed rock, making it necessary to brace my feet to avoid being blown off-balance while I took this picture.
The projecting red rocks on the side of this butte look out of place.
Continuous erosion exposes a variety of sediment and rock layers.
These red rocks in the Painted Canyon were beautiful in the sunlight.
There is vegetation in the Badlands, but it’s not a friendly habitat for humans, although we saw a bison, a wolf, and scores of the ever-present prairie dogs. Although inhospitable, this unique landscape and habitat is fascinating and aesthetically appealing. Below are some overviews of the variety of scenery in the Badlands.
