TRNP South Unit

Yeee-Haw!

We pulled up stakes in Watford City and headed 83 miles south to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit, leaving behind a sweet park owner, bright stars, a snake, and one put-out mouse. 

Medora, ND is the gateway town for the South Unit, and our campground was about 2 miles outside of the tourist-y western-themed Main Street. Our itinerary included exploring the South Unit, Painted Canyon, and attending the Medora Musical.

Much of the landscape was the same rugged mountains we had seen, but there were several differences. 

1. Prairie Dogs 
2. Hiking without snakes
3. Hotel room with no mouse
4. The Medora Musical
5. Did I say prairie dogs?

Although there are Black-tailed Prairie Dogs in the North Unit, we skipped those, saving that experience with those cute little rodents for the South Unit. (Kristi says there are NO cute little rodents.) They reminded me of meerkats the way they stood upright near the burrow, squeakily alerting others to danger. 

"Squeak! Look out, there's a blue truck pulling off the road!"
"OK, but I really want to eat this bug first."
"Squeeeeak! The window is opening! They're sticking something out!"
"It's just a cell phone. Smile for the camera. Again."

The best hike we accomplished was the Painted Canyon Nature Trail. Starting at the parking lot on top of a butte, we hiked down into the canyon below and then back up. Remember, what goes down... 

Although just under 1 mile, the trail had steep grades and makeshift stairs.
Landscape timbers and tree branches embedded in the dirt = stairs.

View from the top of the butte.
Note we are about even with the red top.

Looking back after about 15 minutes we could see our progress.

If you visited the Caprock Coulee website you will know this is rivulet erosion. 

Almost at the bottom. Compare this to our starting pic of red top.
Lower vertically, and closer horizontally.

 

Going back up. Note the top of the butte. 
That's where we're headed.

The top is in sight!

The iron content in the soil gives the canyon its name. Enjoy these awesome examples of the geology of the area.

The final event I would like to share is the somewhat corny, but beautifully executed Medora Musical, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Performers come from all over the world to entertain the guests. Some enjoyed seeing the play as a child, and now present to another generation of youngsters.

We arrived before sunset and watched the landscape change colors.

The set and setting for the performance. 

Live horses were part of the show.

Beautiful costumes, sewn locally. Wonderful singing and dancing
from young folk from around the world. 

Patriotism included honoring veterans in the audience
and all of us joining in singing "America."

A reenactment of the Rough Riders. 

The horses galloped up a steep hill to fight the battle.

Canons fired, and explosions on the hill added to the atmosphere.

Curtain Call

Leaving with a good feeling. 
 The play was wholesome, costumes were modest, language was clean. 

Kristi and I returned to the truck (Dave didn’t go. He stayed at the camper with Trooper.) The low tire warning light came on as we were leaving the parking lot. We pulled over but the tire didn’t look flat. I dropped Kristi off at her hotel, and then drove back to the camper to give Dave the bad news. The next morning he used the air compressor to fill the tire, and we drove to the nearest tire store, about 20 miles away. It was a nail, and the guy patched the tire for us. Whew! Crisis averted.

If I had to choose between the North and South units of TRNP, I would choose the former. Perhaps because it was my first look at the badlands geology, or the lack of commercialism, or the rattlesnake hike through Caprock Coulee. Don't get me wrong, both units were fabulous! 

If I ever go back, I would like to visit Elkhorn Ranch. Even though the ranch house has been reduced to its foundation, I would love to see the view that inspired Mr. Roosevelt to write this description:

"My home ranch-house stands on the river brink. From the low, long veranda, shaded by leafy cotton-woods, one looks across sand bars and shallows to a strip of meadowland, behind which rises a line of sheer cliffs and grassy plateaus. This veranda is a pleasant place in the summer evenings when a cool breeze stirs along the river and blows in the faces of the tired men, who loll back in their rocking-chairs (what true American does not enjoy a rocking-chair?), book in hand--though they do not often read the books, but rock gently to and fro, gazing sleepily out at the weird-looking buttes opposite, until their sharp outlines grow indistinct and purple in the after-glow of the sunset." From Hunting Trips of a Ranchman by Theodore Roosevelt