Biking Bad(lands)

Within the first 20 miles from Porcupine SD we started seeing the unique geologic formations of this region known as the Badlands. These are the result of millions of years of sedimentary deposition from sea, river and volcanic activity, and then erosion for the past half-million years. The exposed strata of time is earthen layers perfectly parallel so that the massive piles seem pin-striped in earthen tones. Today's ride was overcast, with low clouds and fog lending to the mystery of the scene which became exposed, picture-book page by page as we traversed the land. This is not the last chapter for this place, of course, and if you ever want to see it you'd better hurry, for the erosion rate is such that it is expected to be worn away by rain, river, and wind by the end of the next 500,000 years.

I  played Sheriff, challenging incoming riders. 

At the west end of our route was a ghost town. Just a defunct tourist trap with a museum, gift shop, bar, boarding house, jail and other buildings. None were open for business any longer, but the jail was available for pictures.

They threw me in jail.

Then we were out of the Cheyenne River valley on our way to Rapid City. We haven't been in any metropolitan traffic for days, and it is a bit stressful. Once turning onto the bike path along the Rapid Creek we were able to relax somewhat as we sped along. Again, used to being on the highway we probably were taking the bike paths a bit too fast but they were challenging slopes and curves through the park, over and under bridges. It is unusually wet in the Midwest this year; what would be parched earth is still quite wet, so the creek was living up to it's name, swollen and therefore rapid.

We are the guests of Crossroads Wesleyan Church tonight, and tomorrow night. With many sites to be seen and many hard miles behind us it was planned for two days off. Tonight the group is going to Mt. Rushmore- this was a sudden change of plans I wasn't prepared for so I opted out. I'm just too tired for the trip, and besides, I hear it's not finished yet; "[upon seeing Mount Rushmore] Well, it looks like somebody got bored doing it. Washington's the only one with any clothes, and they're just kind of roughed in. Lincoln doesn't even have an ear." Woody Grant, from the movie Nebraska.

I'm headed to the bunkhouse.