Great America - June & July, 2012
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The Little Missouri River in Theodore Roosevelt NP, North Dakota. (above)
Days 4-6: The Northern High Plains

People who plan trips here are 100 years old and want to see the supposedly "famous" Medora Musical, a Branson-style extravaganza. Others come to eat steak cooked on a fork for $60. Some come to enjoy an efficiently planned day. I do not efficiently plan for anything so this town 100% rubs me the wrong way.

Read more from the log book...

Major Sites Visited:

◙ D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery, Spearfish, SD

◙ Theodore Roosevelt NP, Medora, ND

◙ The "town" of Medora, ND

◙ Jones Creek Trail, TRNP, ND

◙ Ranch & Farm Ace, Glendive, MT

click on sites to learn more about them

Photo Album Click on the thumbnails to see the whole photo or to see a slideshow. 

We stopped at the fish hacthery in Spearfish just to salvage a day full of driving.We stopped at the fish hatchery in Spearfish just to salvage a day full of driving. A pool thick with of trout at the Spearfish Fish Hatchery.A pool thick with of trout at the Spearfish Fish Hatchery. Trying to look through the bug-encrusted windshield on the high plains of northwest South Dakota.Trying to look through the bug-encrusted windshield on the high plains of northwest South Dakota. Cooking dinner at our sunken camp at Theodore Roosevelt NP.Cooking dinner at our sunken camp at Theodore Roosevelt NP. After the sun set, the TRNP elk came out; but the low light made them ahrd to photograph.After the sun set, the TRNP elk came out; but the low light made them ahrd to photograph. A huge porcupine near the A huge porcupine near the "Dependable Elk" field at TRNP during night./span> The highlight of the Wind Canyon Trail in TRNP.The highlight of the Wind Canyon Trail in TRNP. Another shot near Wind Canyon.Another shot near Wind Canyon. The Little Missouri River , just north of Peaceful Valley.The Little Missouri River , just north of Peaceful Valley. We take a break on the calm side of the Wind Canyon Trail.We take a break on the calm side of the Wind Canyon Trail. The trail was walled with rocks full of holes and tunnels.The trail was walled with rocks full of holes and tunnels. The Little Missouri river continues north from Wind Canyon to the park's north unit.The Little Missouri river continues north from Wind Canyon to the park's north unit. Andrew examining prairie flora.Andrew examining prairie flora. A 5 foot long snake we spotted on the road near the Coal Vein Trail, slithering away.A 5 foot long snake we spotted on the road near the Coal Vein Trail, slithering away. Hunting for wild horses along the Ridgeline Trail at TRNP.Hunting for wild horses along the Ridgeline Trail at TRNP. Looking north on the steep trail.Looking north on the steep trail. View of the southern boundary of TRNP.View of the southern boundary of TRNP. High Plains pollination.High Plains pollination. It took us a while to find the famous wild horses of TRNP this year.It took us a while to find the famous wild horses of TRNP this year. A pair of horses in the more hidden valleys in the south side of TRNP.A pair of horses in the more hidden valleys in the south side of TRNP. Prairie dog love is always in the air at TRNP.Prairie dog love is always in the air at TRNP. Buffalo chips for lunch?Buffalo chips for lunch? Andrew found an interesting eroding mound on the Jones Creek Trail.Andrew found an interesting eroding mound on the Jones Creek Trail.  This way to the Jones Creek Trail.This way to the Jones Creek Trail. Deep in the wilderness on the Jones Creek Trail.Deep in the wilderness on the Jones Creek Trail. This coyote caused quite a morning alarm in the prairie dog town near the This coyote caused quite a morning alarm in the prairie dog town near the "Dependable Elk Field." We said goodbye to TRNP's wilds in the morning and continued west.We said goodbye to TRNP's wilds in the morning and continued west.
 
• Photos copyright 2012 by S. Plencner & J. Bezold • All other content copyright 2013 by S. Plencner •