It’s a wrap! 🎬
Well folks, we’re officially back home – a day early yesterday, but absolutely no regrets! Our RV companion Reba drove us around 8,000 miles and helped us explore eight amazing national parks on this epic journey… until she decided she was just too tired to stay one more night. Can’t say we blame her!
Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Hidden Gem of the Badlands
Three days ago, we had the absolute pleasure of exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park and stayed in the charming town of Medora, just a couple blocks from the entrance. Talk about convenience!
Did you know it took a tremendous amount of effort to make this area a national park? Apparently, some folks didn’t think it was “special enough.” Well, I’m here to tell you that not only does it boast absolutely stunning landscapes, but it’s also quite the tribute to the incredible conservation legacy that our 26th president left behind.
The park has both north and south units that aren’t connected by a driving road, which means the majority of this gorgeous parkland needs to be explored on foot, by mountain bike, or on horseback. Adventure awaits around every corner!
Pedaling Through Paradise (Until We Weren’t)
We stayed near the south unit and completed an unforgettable 26-mile bike ride on the scenic loop through Wind Canyon. This ride took us through winding hills and canyons carved by centuries of wind and erosion. While the landscape was much lower in elevation than other parks we’d visited, it was still strikingly beautiful. My personal favorite? Painted Canyon, where these incredible geological features stretched on for miles like nature’s own masterpiece.
Our e-bikes were the perfect mode of transportation both inside and outside the park. However, on our last day, we discovered my bike had developed a flat tire. Thank goodness we weren’t out on the remote roads when that happened!
Wildlife Friends
The park treated us to some amazing wildlife sightings! We spotted wild mustang horses gracefully grazing and encountered black-tailed prairie dogs galore. These little characters live in large colonies scattered throughout the park, all connected by an intricate underground network of burrows – like a prairie dog subway system! They were super cute and a bit loud at times
Here’s a sobering piece of history: the park is actually fenced in to help preserve the bison population. Back in the early days, settlers and hunters nearly wiped these magnificent animals out, with many hunters seeking only their tongues, which were apparently considered a delicacy at the time. It’s heartbreaking to think about, but wonderful to see conservation efforts in action today.
Small Town Charm and Big Problems
Our evenings brought some delightful small-town experiences – a little county bar hopping, listening to live music, and catching movies back in Reba. With temperatures hovering just around 90°F, we were definitely seeking some cool relief by nightfall.
But here’s where our adventure took a turn… As we were putting Theodore Roosevelt National Park (or “Teddy’s Park” as we lovingly called it) in our rearview mirror, we noticed something alarming: our AC wasn’t working! Upon further investigation at our next North Dakota stop, we discovered the generator had given up the ghost too and couldn’t support the main cabins AC.
The Great Escape (AKA: The Hot and Sweaty Express Home)
We were originally supposed to stay at a winery halfway home for one last hurrah. However, no amount of Todd’s impressive MacGyvering skills was going to fix this situation. So, we made the executive decision to skip our planned final night and head straight home instead.
A full day of RV travel is never recommended, but we had little choice. Parts would need to be ordered, and we had our puppies wellbeing to consider. The ride back was, to put it mildly, a hot, sweaty mess. The primary soundtrack was wind whipping through the two front open windows in a valiant but futile attempt to provide some heat relief.
I guess Reba was ready to go home, and if I’m being completely honest, so was I.
Lessons Learned and Memories Made
These past 3½ weeks have been an absolutely wonderful first exposure to the RV life, and we certainly learned a lot along the way. Todd and I will definitely be taking inventory of all the pros and cons before we set out on another major adventure. But for now, we’ll be sticking closer to home as we return to the real world of jobs and responsibilities.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
A very special thank you goes out to everyone who gave us advice and recommendations – both old friends and new friends we met along the way. Your tips made this journey infinitely better, and we’re so grateful for the kindness of fellow travelers and locals who shared their favorite spots with us.
*P.S.: Pictures will be uploaded soon – stay tuned for all the visual proof of our amazing (and sometimes challenging) adventure!*
*Safe travels, everyone! And remember: sometimes the best stories come from when things don’t go exactly as planned. 🚐💨*
No comments:
Post a Comment