August 5, 2009

August 5, 2009

There are two parts to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. From the north unit we drive ninety minutes to the more popular South unit. There we stopped at the Visitor Center to get organized and gather info. We then make a reservation for a horse ride with Peaceful Valley Ranch inside the park. Riding is one of Aimee’s favorite things to do. She picked a great spot. The trip was outstanding. One of the best places we have ridden horses. The horses moved on command; they weren’t just trail horses following the horsetail ahead of them. The owner rode parallel to us and gave us riding tips on the way. And the scenery was great, with us riding up and down the badlands and across streams. We thought we were in the Old West. And it was a bargain price. I now know why Teddy Roosevelt fell in love with this area. If my butt weren’t so saddle sore, we would have signed up for an afternoon ride.

After lunch we drive the 32-mile tourist loop, stopping at several spots including Buck Hill Trail to observe the wildlife and do a few short hikes. We see more buffalo, a couple wild horses in the distance, and loads of prairie dog towns. While watching one prairie dog town Aimee points at this large buzzard taking off. Or at least we thought it was until Aimee noticed a hapless Prairie Dog in its talons. That isn’t a vulture, it is a Golden Eagle. I guess the prairie dog town spotters need to look upward for danger too.

We spend the night at the park campground where we listen to a very boring ranger talk. This is definitely not the norm.