Dude Ranches, Wild Horses and Buffalo Roaming {North Dakota}...

{Date of visit: June 24-27, 2013}

If you'll remember, the whole reason we had decided to go ahead and visit South Dakota was because our niece was getting married in Wisconsin in July. We had a few weeks of "free" time and needed to get our new driver's licenses anyway, so making a trip that seemed quite far out of the way actually made perfect sense. What didn't make sense was backtracking all the way back across the state, along the same highway, to get to Racine, Wisconsin in less than 2 weeks. So what did we do? Why, we decided to see what North Dakota had to offer...(after all, we really couldn't foresee any other reason a person would willingly go there).

Hmmm, it's not much of a sign...and the landscape seems a bit sparse.
Well, I can now tell you about one very clear and undisputed reason to go to North Dakota. Theodore Roosevelt National Park.


 "We have become great because of the lavish use of our resources. But the time has come to inquire seriously what will happen when our forests are gone, when the coal, the iron, the oil, and the gas are exhausted, when the soils have still further impoverished and washed into the streams, polluting the rivers, denuding the fields and obstructing navigation."
Amazingly enough, this was written in the early 1900's by Theodore Roosevelt...have we heeded his words?


President Teddy Roosevelt used his authority (the 1906 American Antiquities Act) to protect 230,000,000 acres of public land. His visit to the North Dakota Badlands had a huge influence over his life...and presidency. So, as you can see, it should be high on your list of places to visit.


Who woulda thunk that there would be such beauty and awesomeness in a land so remote? All I really knew of North Dakota was oil fields, crowded RV parks (due to the oil fields) and Minot (a place the Air Force sends people as punishment, I'm sure of it). I also knew that winter temps have reached as low as -60 F (average winter temperature is 12 F). I lived in Alaska where below zero temperatures are not uncommon in the winter (average winter temperature is 2 F). I have no desire to experience that again.

But July, now that's a great time to visit. Temperatures in the 70's and 80's (F), flowers in bloom, trees rapidly growing and leaves stretching for the sun they only have access to for a few months, baby animals gaining strength in preparation for the winter to come...and blue skies for days.

It doesn't get much better than that.
Part of the reason for so much awesomeness was our camping spot. We opted to stay outside of Medora (the nearest town to the national park) because how often do you get to camp at a real life dude ranch?

After the round up.
The Mutiny parked at Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch, with Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the background.

Showdown with the Rhode Island Red, fastest layer at the guest ranch.
Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch & Trail Head is one of the most unique camping spots we've had to date. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, it was right up our alley. The 'motel' part of the ranch was set up to look like a street in the old west. There was a bar and restaurant at one end and a barn at the other. The RV parking was across from a large riding arena where they host team roping competitions. You can also bring your horse (or mountain bike) which you can ride on trails that give you access to the national park.
The view outside of my window.
Did I mention it has an onsite bar?

The town of Medora is nearby and offers shopping, golfing, historic hotels and even has it's own musical.  

Medora, North Dakota



Bully Pulpit Public Golf Course

But truly, the highlight was Teddy Roosevelt National Park. As I look back through the pictures, trying to figure out the best ones to post here I am reminded of my deep love for this park. It just may have passed upmy beloved Death Valley for the rank of "favorite".

Buffalo still roam here.
As do the prairie dogs.
You can see why this is also called the "badlands".
Wild horses inside the northern unit.
More wild horses (and my current cell phone screen saver).
Running through the valley.
A herd of wild horses on the ridge.
Now that's a BIG guy!
Teddy Roosevelt's cabin at Maltese Cross Ranch.
I thought slow traffic was supposed to move to the right?
Carefully passing Mr. Buffalo.
Obviously, I couldn't get enough of the wild horses.
 A great way to really see the park is to take a trail ride through park concessionaire Peaceful Valley Ranch Horse Trail Rides. At $35 per person for a 90 minute trail ride it is worth every penny. But full disclosure, they do NOT allow cell phones or cameras on the trail rides. I, yes the rule follower, 'sneaked' my phone on the ride and took a shit ton of pictures. I couldn't see the point of paying to ride a horse through this beautiful countryside without capturing it on "film". I broke the rules...I'm not saying it was right nor am I encouraging anyone else to do the same. Nonetheless, here are some freakin' great pics from that ride...

Clark is having flashbacks of his many summers on the ranch in Sonoma.

The guy in front of me (these are my horse's ears) was one of the tour guides. I thought it only appropriate to sneak a picture of him too.
Pretty beautifulness.

We actually did ride some steep terrain for a trail ride. I used to be a trail guide in the Pocono Mountains and none of our trails were this 'interesting'.
My trusty steed was never bothered by my picture taking.
Whoops, looks like Clark brought his phone too!
Beautiful trails and so cool to be in the back country.
After the ride.
There are three sections to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the North, South and Elkhorn Units. The south unit is the largest (and where all of the above pictures were taken), Elhorn is about 35 miles further north and the north unit is 70 miles of Medora. We went to the south and north units. Both are unique and if you have the time you should definitely see both (and Elkhorn if you are so inclined).





Clark resting at a gorgeous overlook after a long drive to the North Unit.


I'm afraid the pictures and descriptions just don't do this area justice. It is unbelievably beautiful and unique. Even with the similarities with the Badlands of South Dakota, these formations are vast and interspersed with grasslands and much more wildlife. The smell of sweet grass is like no other...and yes, I wanted to bottle it. The closest I got was buying some scented wax for my burner and it's just not the same.

Although we haven't yet been to some of the other "biggies" as far as National Parks, Teddy Roosevelt is a place to be seen. It's worth every mile.

Tales From the Mutiny selfie!

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