Theodore Roosevelt National Park (Medora, North Dakota Post)

Welcome to Theodore Roosevelt National Park!  This park was founded in 1947.  Shortly after Roosevelt's death, it was decided to honor this great man and conservationist.  Many ideas were bounced around, but turning the area where he gained his conservationist ideas during his cattle-ranching days into a national park was eventually chosen.  The park is home to many diverse wildlife species and landforms.  

The Painted Canyon and North Dakota Badlands

Buffalo (latin name bison bison) strolling down the road past our RV.  

Something interesting about the rock: even though it looks almost sandlike, its actually very hard, well, like a rock...

The local wildlife looks rather friendly.  

Wild horses on the hill.  

Dad in front of the badlands.  

Views so pretty even a dog can enjoy them!

Bison grazing.  Can you spot the babies lying down?

We went on a trail ride around the park.  It was amazing to see the park from that perspective, because you were down in the valleys and on the hills with the wildlife.  The horse I rode was named Rascal, Karen was mounted on Stormy, Dad rode Dude, and Mom rode Tigger.  The horses were really well behaved and quite calm.  It was really a fun way to spend the afternoon.

We are staying in Medora again tonight, and are planning to hike out to the Petrified Forest in the park. That should lead to some interesting photos in tomorrow's post!

A Tale of Broken iPods, Buffalo Wings, and Niagara Falls (Buffalo, NY post)

Karen broke her iPod about a week ago by dropping it on the pavement, so today we found ourselves in the Buffalo Apple Store receiving a replacement.  It was quick and by the time we finished near lunchtime.  If it didn't break and if we didn't stop, we wouldn't have visited Niagara Falls on this trip.  Good things really do come out of unfortunate events.


For lunch, we had Buffalo Wings at the birthplace of Buffalo Wings, Frank and Teressa's Anchor Bar on Main Street in Buffalo.

Then, we reached Niagara Falls.  We embarked on the Cave of the Wind walk.  It was awe-inspiring to walk so close to Niagara Falls and feel the water as it cascades down the rocks and spray the observation platforms.  As I was walking, I realized that Niagara Falls was truly one of God's miracles.
Imagine, 75,000 gallons per second cascade down American Falls.  These pictures really don't give credit to the beauty and majesty of Niagara Falls, but here they are.

This is the Observation Platform for the Cave of the Wind Walk.  

Rainbow Bridge (the bridge linking the US and Canada), the Observation Tower, and American Falls.

American Falls in the foreground and off on the right side in the background, Horseshoe Falls.  

Out of all of the many pictures I took today, this next one must be my favorite!