Several of us did the Caprock Coulee trail in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The first part of the hike is a nature trail that winds through the valley.
It goes by some of the caprock coulees. Coulees are dry water gulches.
Pretty soon we worked our way up to the top of the badlands, where we had great views in all directions.
Found these strange looking critters all over one plant. I don't know what they are. Anyone have any ideas?
We had only done the north half of the loop that day, so the next day Phil and I went back to do the south half.
I thought it was even prettier, because the trail went right through the caprock coulees, and you had a view of the river when you got up to the top.
Another day some of us went to the Prairie Dog town. Lewis and Clark were enamored with them - called them "barking squirrels," and sent a live one back to Thomas Jefferson.
These poor little creatures will be in danger of extinction soon if we don't do something to save them. Their numbers are down about 95%.
The park is also home to a small herd of longhorn steer.
After all that hiking, we thought we deserved a pot luck meal. Unfortunately, I never remember to take a picture of the food before everyone devours it...
And a good excuse to have cake is a birthday party. We managed to find 4 who were celebrating birthdays during our gathering.
Several of us did the Caprock Coulee trail in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The first part of the hike is a nature trail that winds through the valley.
It goes by some of the caprock coulees. Coulees are dry water gulches.
Pretty soon we worked our way up to the top of the badlands, where we had great views in all directions.
Found these strange looking critters all over one plant. I don't know what they are. Anyone have any ideas?
We had only done the north half of the loop that day, so the next day Phil and I went back to do the south half.
I thought it was even prettier, because the trail went right through the caprock coulees, and you had a view of the river when you got up to the top.
Another day some of us went to the Prairie Dog town. Lewis and Clark were enamored with them - called them "barking squirrels," and sent a live one back to Thomas Jefferson.
These poor little creatures will be in danger of extinction soon if we don't do something to save them. Their numbers are down about 95%.
The park is also home to a small herd of longhorn steer.
After all that hiking, we thought we deserved a pot luck meal. Unfortunately, I never remember to take a picture of the food before everyone devours it...
And a good excuse to have cake is a birthday party. We managed to find 4 who were celebrating birthdays during our gathering.
Ill be darned, great minds think alike, I just finished and posted a blog about the plight of the prairie dog...and then come over and see your wonderful post and your great photo of the little "American Meerkat"--dont you love them. What a great hike--boy wish I could have tagged along, great photos!! I think the bug is some sort of beetle, not such which!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what kind of bug that was, but I want to know what it was doing to that poor flower!!
ReplyDeleteI dont know what kind of bug that is but it sure is a pretty bug that is for sure very pretty colors.
ReplyDeleteThose poor prairie dogs I hope someone does do something so that they won't be extinct.
I just loved the pictures of the coulees that is just so beautiful!
Hope you are having a good week thanks for sharing :o)
Happy Birthday Phil. July people are good people.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what the bug is called, but it has great coloring.
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoyed the prairie dogs last summer in Custer State Park. I had no idea they were in trouble-there were so many of them-everywhere.
Could those bugs be Japanese Beetles? They look very similar to what we had in Ohio....supposedly carried in on imports from Japan (before China).
ReplyDeleteLove the scenery! We love going on hikes like that where you see beautiful formations and gorgeous views. Can't wait to make it out that way!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Kevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
What about Colorado and Wyoming where those prairie dogs are on every corner and supposedly are carriers of the plague?
ReplyDelete