Meanderings Of An Abject Fool

Just a fool walking

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Nobody Of Consequence Nor Of Concern

  • Saw the wall loads o wind and finally at Badlands.

    What the poop is The Wall? I had no idea till my buddy Steve informed me. It’s called The Wall drug but that’s a huge understatement. It has its own exit , its own old west main street and although I have no evidence I’m fairly certain its own town. While a trifle isolated there are neighborhoods, town hall, and I imagine its own community all built around this busy isolated attraction with the community being inhabited maybe by its employees. It is the perfect American company store and company town.

    If it’s wanted and western chances are you’ll find it here.

    Right before the wall must be mentioned just making a turn in the other direction would have brought me to Sturgis home of the infamous bike rally going throughout the black hills. I’m kinda thinking maybe an EV run in the area…nah it’s gonna be a while before the infrastructure is anywhere besides cities but until then.

    Bikers welcome of course but how bout really neat EV’s.

    Got to Badlands national park and immediately found it A. Awesome (literal) B. Other worldly.

    First I thought of prehistoric termites but settled on Phase IV(70’s sci-fi classic) vibe. No where near exact but the vibe is there.

    To campsite apparently we have a red flag warning. Meaning at campsite no fires, which includes smoking !!! So far trip doing wonders for my habit. Were it not for my general density I figure that my tent would be on other side of the state. Throughout night wind beat my tent and yours truly up like a harp seal. Sleep surprisingly comfy and all the more soothing due to the wind. Middle of the night and it’s pee o’clock like a putz I forgot glasses and after doing my business I spent 20 or so minutes finding car/camp. A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind bat. More to come.

  • Impromptu definitely not planned.

    Last post ended with goodnight and it’s ending extremely well. Before hiking my last for the day I went to local station to fill up for drive to badlands tomorrow. While not exactly barter gas(see Cabin in the Woods) it was as close as I’ve seen and it was groovy. Large sign on pumps said pay first I understood with the absence of anything digital on the pumps definitely the click clack of analog. Went in and clerk (lovely woman) knew immediately of my curious face “ it’s a favorite part of older folks trip” it is as I’m older and haven’t seen since I could first drive. Extremely cool. I gave my card she flipped on pump number 3 and I was off to the races. It filled up and went inside and damn they used a full on digital card reader!! While situational this wonderful place drips irony. Goodnight and this time I mean it unless something else neato happens.

    There’s lots of irony in the local water. Thanks for the gas and especially the pumps.

  • Followed Alice down hole not a jabberwocky in site.

    Good morning all woke up a trifle late by that I mean the sun almost up. Exceptionally tired. Eat gas station sandwich (on Naan!!!!) and went to nearby rest stop/trail head

    This is hole I followed Alice down.

    Down is easy it’s the up part(always near the end) that is your foil. Lovely and slightly alone. Not as much as I’d prefer but as lesser known as teddy is it’s packed. Thank all for the signage , or circles and I would be good friends.

    Upper right sign post not a fair scramble

    It very nice that trailhead at rest stop as when finished I rested this time no interruptions.

    Nothing better than an Aptera in the bathroom it beats a tapping foot anytime. Hats off to Tom for mad (according to me) photoshop skills

    I am for All intents and purposes a tourist, a dilettante, pretending but tourist seems best. As such I did what all tourist do.

    The Roosevelt national park sticker I added today as I’ll add more when hitting those parks. The bear vault I got when I received it, it may or may not be necessary but gotta put food somewhere and that where might be useful.
    It’s nothing official but keeps a record of which I usually don’t. Keeping updated for now.

    One more hike today then bedtime for bonzo(it’s a reference to old Ronald Regan movie). Goodnight.

  • First national park day. Thanks Mr Roosevelt

    Slept in till about 2 and went for an early morning hike. Packed up stuff and on to Teddy. Filled up on the road once and it was 3.70 a gallon. Saints be praised!!

    Had to take a rest(#1) and also got a view. Nice rest stops in ND.

    That was about 20 minutes outside park because it’s beginning of week NP. That being said a family of rather large hillbillies just moved in next store so sleep may be an issue as they already pounding em and have grill fired up.

    On way to hike happy mustang

    Hike was marvelous regardless of how many people on the planet I’m quite certain I was the only one for….well everywhere.

    Felt like a spaghetti western from 70s. Think Sergio Leone

    Hiked till phone could no longer get a signal. Which is true no signal but damn I was exhausted so I turned around and drove back to camp unaware of the NEATO coming my way.

    Prairie dog peaking out of his/her condo.
    BBB. Bison n Baby Bison
    Bison continued.

    Full day indeed. Eating sleeping and up early for more hiking. I’m no longer walking that’s easy hiking that’ll put hair on whatever. Goodnight

  • 330 and out of gas figuratively the cars full.

    After setting up camp went for a walk thing is i walk oodles and this ain’t that this a hike. Started out nice on river very pleasant

    Looks nice kinda sweet actually but should be kinda sweat.

    Then things specifically the trail started going uphill. First not much but then i made the mistake of looking ahead.

    Natures stairs are beautiful but they couldn’t add an escalator? Darn you Gaia.

    Finished that part and crossed a road and spotted a groovy shack. What was shack hiding?

    Looks pleasant enough but after not so much.
    Hi Ho Hi Hi Ho its up the hill i go.
    At the top and a trifle(irony)winded.

    But silly me there’s a lookout tower why go all this way and not look ? Not look indeed.

    Really is great but problem is last flight ain’t stairs it’s a ladder with no handrails up no problem…down not so much.

    After not breaking neck and kept going and saw what I found a bit upsetting. HA

    Hopefully not at same time.
    All the work for this view. Hell yess worth it.
    At least all downhill from here. Don’t believe that line for a minute. Uphill you can throw yourself forward downhill you do that and break your neck. Luckily i did not.

    Lovely Yes. Grueling ditto. Worth it heavens to murgatroyd YES. Now extremely tired worn out even time for dinner and a nap busy day tomorrow gotta start early for first national park. Teddy here i come.

  • Abraham Lincoln state park.

    Just pulled in view is extremely NEATO. Gonna setup camp and then hike.

    View from campsite
    On my way I got to see a real indigenous artifact in front of Whimpys Motel. HA

  • Bathroom calls I stop but don’t tap back.

    Didn’t think this would happen in North Dakota in the middle of the day at a convenience store but go figure. I ran to bathroom sat down for #2 and received the much heard about but never experienced the under the door foot tap twice!! Apparently my lack of an answer wasn’t enough so after the second I politely whispered gate don’t swing that way especially in a toilet. I didn’t take a picture as this was creepy enough. Bout 1 1/2 hour outside of campground/hiking.

  • Lots of poop and I think a prairie dog(maybe)

    The hike today at Sheyenne National Grassland extremely groovy. All sorts terrine good stretches of hills along with lots of grass(no surprise). Lots of poop as well apparently for local ranchers who have permission. Obviously watching steps is required. For poop and prairie dog homes.

    No poop but trust me it’s there.
    I was a little late with camera but I saw a smallish rodent come out think it was prairie dog and perhaps this is home.

  • It’s 11:57 do you know where I am?

    Woke up lateish for me anyway. Round 3 o’clock took bout 10 to pack up and hit the road.

    My friend Tom sent an updated photo that I posted. Hope springs eternal.

    Hit the road groovy drive to new campsite with several stops on way. Mostly to the powder room.

    I know that Montana is big sky country but this also fairly large
    Gas, bathroom and almost forgot a casino on the second floor. One stop shop.
    Not only did I get a rest stop but also an official South Dakota scenic view. OHHH

    Currently preparing to hike Sheyenne National Grassland. More tomorrow.

  • Alone again alone again jiggity jig

    I know it should be home again per the song not alone but I am alone and not at home but my father when I was ten till he passed always said it so seems a trifle apropos.

    It’s 400 pm and I’m at Union Grove state park South Dakota. It’s rather lovely and am setting up tent for night. Not full on suv tent but my smaller tent. As its first night i figured this easiest and I’m just bout ready for bed. First night camping and all is well i got bout ten miles in today and will get more tomorrow morning before leaving on next leg and get that much closer to first national park. I’ll spend couple days at Teddy Roosevelt. Not as crowded as the west cost parks also not as difficult but lots of bison mustangs and prairie dogs. Perfect way to start.

    Not a bad place for a nap.