Day 15 Teddy Roosevelt Park

After a cleansing rain last night, woke up to a symphony of robins, red winged blackbirds and American goldfinches singing their morning calls. Entered the South Unit of Teddy Roosevelt  Park early this morning. We were immediately greeted by an old bull buffalo grazing on the side of the road. Drove 18 miles into the park stopping at overlooks observing the layers of time etched in to the mountains. Hiked up to Buck Hill, the 2nd highest point in the park, which was formed as a stream bed before the badlands existed. We weren’t only out of breath from the hike because the vistas were breathtaking too. Observed some wild mustangs just passing the time on a nearby knoll. Then drove to the Painted Canyon. Hiked the trail along the ridge while marveling at it’s majestic beauty that was altered with the clouds moving overhead. At the two visitors centers, we learned how a young Roosevelt came to this land to grieve after losing his wife and mother. It transformed and healed him. He said he would never have become president had he not experienced the ND Badlands. He realized that we had to start preserving our land and resources. Through his presidency, he created 5 national parks, 18 natl monuments, 51 bird sanctuaries, a National Wildlife Refuge System and set aside 100 million acres of national forests. Ended the day in Medora where the last remnants of Marquis de Mores’ attempt to corner the market on dressed beef from the west failed. He founded this town, a meat packing plant with a slaughter house and refrigeration in 1883. A chimney with a few foundations is all that is left after a fire in 1907. Storms rolled in tonight. Hoping the North Unit of the park is not too muddy tomorrow.