So my journey began with an early morning - a really early morning. My alarm went off at 3:30am jolting me from my peaceful dreams letting me know that it was time to get going on my adventure. After a quick shower (I decided this would be best since I knew that I would not be to my parents condo until Monday) and off I went. I enjoyed clear weather all the way through Omaha and then ran into the rain. I then spent time driving through the rain all the way through Sioux Falls. I hoped and prayed that it would end before I got to the Badlands because I did not want to camp in the rain.
I finally reached the turn from the Badlands at approximately 8:30pm - I had now been in the car for over 15 hours and was ready to be done. I drove to the first campground to find out that it was full, no big surprise there with it being Labor Day Weekend but I was not worried. There is the best kept secret of the Badlands located in the back-country - Sage Creek Campground. The positive, the campground is free - the negative, it is way off the beaten path which requires you to drive for at least 40 minutes from the entrance of the park.
So off I went into the inky blackness of the park to the campground. Living in the city as long as I have, I have forgotten how dark it truly can get. After I reached the campground and found a spot to put up my tent, all I could do was stare at the night sky in awe. It has been over 5 years since I last saw the Milky Way and was amazed by how many stars there are in the sky. No words can do justice to the majesty that is the night sky.
After 20 minutes of star gazing, I got my tent set up and climbed in exhausted and ready to fall asleep but Mother Nature had a different opinion. Right at the moment a chorus of coyotes began yipping, barking and howling but alas I was so exhausted that even Mother Nature's chorus couldn't keep me awake.
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