The Badlands 2, Mouth Rushmore, and the drive to Wyoming

Today has been an interesting day. Right now, we are in Skyline Motel in Cody, Wyoming. We decided on our way to Yellow Stone that we'd stop in a hotel because we were badly in need of some showers and modern amenities. And plus we figured our blog readers would be chomping at the bit for some new pictures, so here we are. We got a cheap rate here and wireless is free; we also talked to the woman at the office for an hour about a lot of things. People here are very friendly. Enjoy the update!






I'm really excited about the drive. Feeling rejuvenated after getting some long-awaited shuteye, and really enjoying the Wyoming landscape, we trudge on.








We passed through the Bighorn National Forest on the way, and it was really beautiful. If you're ever out here, drive along WY-16 and you'll catch an eyeful! Probably great for hiking and camping too.


















It's hard to see, but this road is flanked by two HUGE cliffs and has a few switchbacks that lead you down the gully, to those beautiful yellow birch leaves. The Wyoming landscape is easily my favorite thusfar.














PRAIRIE DOGS! This was in Robert's Prairie Dog Town, which is just a pull-off inside the Badlands Scenic Route. They're cutest when they pretend they're like people, as pictured.












At breakfast, a bee got in my pancakes N jelly, so I got angry and tried to swat it with my jeans when it landed on a pole. Instead, my pants wrapped around the pole like a grappling hook and sent the belt buckle into my right hand. It might have broken a bone because I felt nauseous and lightheaded afterward. We'll keep you posted about its progress.












PANCAKES!














Here, I'm mixing up the pancake batter. It was probably 80 degrees there this morning.
















OUR CAR!








A Note about Mount Rushmore:
Although it may be been influenced by our lack of sleep and the fact that we drove 5 hour round trip to see it after we spent all morning in the Badlands, Laura and I found Mount Rushmore both overrated and underwhelming. That and we were outraged that it cost 8 dollars to park in a lot to go up to the stupid thing. DEFINITELY SKIP UNLESS YOU ARE OBSESSED WITH IT.










Perspective Error.












Again, feigning excitement.

















Tourism is fun.
















I didn't understand why there were innumerable international flags at Mount Rushmore. Pretty sure it's quintessentially American.















I see them! Big Heads!


















Laura said we could have just stayed here, outside the bathrooms.

















The end of our hike in the Badlands, the clear high point of the day.














I climbed up on the rock face and took this photo of Laura in her natural habitat.




















Needles in a haystack















BISON!











Prairie Dogs are too friendly. Stupid tourists.
















That's all for now! Stay tuned for pics of Wyoming and Yellow Stone!