Wall is a small town some 51 miles from Rapid City. It is located very close to the Badlands. The Wall Drug store was opened in 1931 during the Depression and has grown to be a very large tourist site.
It has everything from food to Souveniers
Arcades with all sort of interesting things to buy.
and lot of boots and clothes.
It is a small town but a very popular place. We were lucky to get a parking space.
There are pots of pretty flowers hanging everywhere .
From Wall we traveled to the Badlands. The home for Homesteaders and Ranchers who came to this area in the hope for a good life but sadly ended up fighting to support themselves and having to move onto other places. The environment was hostile and not productive.
For centuries the Badlands have been viewed with a mix of dread and fascination. Depending on the time of the day that one visits the colours of the rocks changes.
The peaks, gullies, buttes, and wide praires of the Badlands can be challenging to cross , yet have been a facination for many.
They are a place of extremes.
The Badlands has a rich and varied plant community. Including the largest mixed -grass paririe in the National Park Systems.
There is lots of wildlife inculding coyotes, butterflies, turtles, vultures, snakes, blurbirds, bison and prairie dogs to name just a few.
We visited an historic homestead.
We were fortunate to see a Prairie Dog up close and personal. Prairie Dogs are a type of a ground squirrel found in the USA, Canada and Mexico. They are 30-40 cm (12-16 ") long, and have a short tail. They weight .5 to 1.5 kg ( 1-3 lb) and they eat plants and insects.
The Badlands are worth a visit and it's not suprising that in the "good old days' outlaws found the Badlands a safe haven to retire to when being hunted by the law.
Cheers Bev and Ross
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