Last week Eldon had 4 days off so we took a quick little trip north to Medora, North Dakota. We were surprised to find this gem less than 2 hours from us! There was a lovely boondocking spot 5 miles from the [very touristy] town of Medora but we didn't even spend much time there since there was so much to do at the park.
This is the only National Park named for a person. Theodore Roosevelt National Park was established in 1947 to honor this president and provide a place for others to experience his beloved Badlands. After tragically losing his wife and mother on the same day, he ran away to the Badlands to grieve. Theodore purchased 2 ranches and immersed himself in learning all he could about being a rancher. After 2 years, he returned to the East and began his political career.
Roosevelt credited his Dakota experiences as the basis for his preservation efforts and the shaping of his own character. During his presidency (1901-1909) he established the US Forest Service, proclaimed 18 national monuments, created 5 national parks, 150 national forests, and dozens of federal reserves. He is also recognized as being the man who saved the bison from extinction.
Our family (especially Emily) has always had a fascination for this sickly little boy who grew up and accomplished such great things. The museum in the visitor's center was informative and interesting. They also showed the best video we've ever seen at a National Park!
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| This model was made entirely out of tiny pieces of wood. The saddle was Roosevelt's own. |
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| The Maltese Cross Cabin was his home at one of his ranches. It's built with railroad ties that were stolen from the railroad. |
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| Wild horses. Technically, they are feral horses since they are descendents of ranch horses. |
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| Stunning views! |
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| We did a lot of driving everyday we were there but we saw so much wildlife the children hardly minded. |
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| This baby had us all in awe. |
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| We found a blooming prickly pear! |
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| Hiking the Boicourt Trail. |
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| A wild stallion. |
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| We spent several evening at this super cool playground in Medora. |
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| It's built like a town in the Old West. |
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| The swings are always a hit! |
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| We took a guided tour of the Maltese Cross Cabin. |
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| Roosevelt pounded his brand into one of the logs with empty shell casings. Sadly, they've all been stolen but 1. It was pretty cool to see and touch something he did. |
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| There was several huge prairie dog towns. We ate our lunch near one so we could watch them. |
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| We got a close-up view of these beasts too. |
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| There was lots of babies. |
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| Coal Vein Trail |
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| This area was a huge coal vein that lit by lightning and burned for 26 years. In 1977 it finally burned out but it took years for the landscape to heal and grow again. |
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| There was lots of flowers! |
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| One evening we took a hike to a petrified forest. |
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| We walked passed this big guy but he was at least a 100 feet away. I nearly panicked when he meandered over to the trail and slowly followed us. |
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| Checking out the petrified trees. |
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| On the way back, he was waiting for us at the top of a draw. We ditched the trail and detoured as far and fast around him as possible but it was still way to close for comfort! |
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| Happy children! |
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| The children were beyond thrilled that we took them to play mini golf! |
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| This guy got a hole in one and had a few other almost holes in one! |
The children like to keep a running tab of their birthday and Christmas money then spend it at cool places. Makayla and Michael bought a kit of mini legos that built a prairie dog and an eagle. None of us realized how hard it would be but Eldon and I ended up helping them and it still took hours. Eldon bought a monocular (basically binoculars except only 1 eye) for him and the National Park edition of Monopoly for me. Ethan spent his money at a gift shop in town on a doctor kit and Emily wanted a flower book so we ordered her one on Amazon.
It was a wonderful little vacation! Our last night we went to the Medora Musical but that deserves a post all it's own!
