We boondocked on a high ridge overlooking Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Fabulous 360 degree views of badlands cliffs, prairie grasses, sounds of larks and a gentle cooling breeze. Until. Soon after sunset the sudden layered clouds lit up with sheet lightening covering 180 degrees of our view, and the radio screaming thunderstorm warnings with 70-mile-per-hour mile per hour gusts and tennis ball! Hail.
The late, after midnight, bedtime and newly chip sealed Badlands NP roads nixed the bike ride we’d planned, and suggested a 4.75 mile loop hike. Beautiful. Its much better to get out of your vehicle, or even a bike and dive into the sounds, smells and strange but gentle beauty of the prairie.