The Medora Musical

     Anytime I hear someone talk about the town of Medora, the Musical is nearly always mentioned in the next sentence. I fully expected that it was another overpriced tourist attraction and didn't even look into going. While looking through a brochure, we realized that 17 and under are free on Sunday and Wednesday evening. After watching a few video clips on youtube, we quickly decided we wanted to go!

     The Medora Musical is a 2 hour show held outdoors with the stunning Badlands as a background. Harold Schafer, along with his wife Sheila, purchased the Burning Hills Amphitheatre and developed the show in an effort to draw families to Medora. They wanted a show that included history and patriotism along with a gospel segment.Harold also said it must be family friendly, have a special song that includes kids, and have horses, flags, and fireworks on-stage. 

Around the stage is set up like an old town. We took a 7 story escalator down to get to our seats!

You can't really see them, but they had elk feeding on top of the hill as we were being seated.

The Coal Diggers Band played some amazing music!

The Burning Hills Singers featured 12 singers/dancers that changed outfits multiple times throughout the show. I noticed all the guys had 2 gun holsters and found it amusing they stuck their microphones in them when they weren't singing!

All the kids came down on the stage while they sang a version of "Everything is Awesome". They were all given a light as well.

     Since it was a musical, they'd talk a little then break into a song. We were happy to know most of the songs but if you can't stand Country Music, you may not enjoy the show. Here we are learning about the Marquis de More and his wife Medora (yup, he named the town after her). He had a vision to build a city around his meat-packing enterprise. Unfortunately, his plans failed but he is still given credit for founding Medora. His wife was known for being an expert sharpshooter and rider (side-saddle, of course)

🎵 I've got the one I love beside me........🎵

     A big part of the show was about Theodore Roosevelt and his time in the Dakota's. He came to hunt but fell in love with the Badlands and purchased 2 ranches.

He was quite the city slicker when he first stepped off the train!

Such a lovely view!

As a tribute to Roosevelt, they did a reenactment of  the Battle of San Juan Hill.

It was hard to see all the action at once!

Victory at last!

🎵 I should have been a cowboy......🎵 Ethan was so happy they sang this song - he loves it!

"Cowboy" Chet was the host, along with "Wild" Bill. They had the crowd roaring with laughter more then once as they bantered back and forth.

The show went on through history and gave us lots of fascinating tidbits. These were the top 6 cowboys at one point.

On a huge screen to the side, they showed a picture of the actual people they were talking about. 

Then they had a clogging song!

     They always have a featured attraction that changes every few weeks. When we were there, it was a group of skaters called Breaksk8. They were ok but honestly, we didn't enjoy it very much. The music style completely changed and we weren't ready for that :).

They did some impressive jumping!

More singing......

This sign on the hill was really cool. As the ending neared and they were talking about pioneers, they had the spotlight on riders coming down the hill. 

🎵God bless America......🎵

A closing speech by Roosevelt

“No matter your dream, remember, it is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly...” 
― Theodore Roosevelt

Fireworks at the end!

And horses and flags!

     The evening we attended, there was a storm coming in so they cut the show 20 minutes short. We were so sad that the Medora Gospel Choir didn't come on since we've seen video clips and they sound really good. But now we have something to look forward to next time! 

     We've also decided that live plays/dramas are something we all enjoy and are worth spending our time and money on instead of some other things. Eldon and I also wonder who and what will be featured in a show like this in 100 years?! The "brave" things people are given credit for doing today pale in comparison to a century ago.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

     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!

This model was made entirely out of tiny pieces of wood. The saddle was Roosevelt's own.

The Maltese Cross Cabin was his home at one of his ranches. It's built with railroad ties that were stolen from the railroad. 

Wild horses. Technically, they are feral horses since they are descendents of ranch horses. 

Stunning views!

We did a lot of driving everyday we were there but we saw so much wildlife the children hardly minded.

This baby had us all in awe.

We found a blooming prickly pear!

Hiking the Boicourt Trail.

A wild stallion.

We spent several evening at this super cool playground in Medora.

It's built  like a town in the Old West.

The swings are always a hit!

We took a guided tour of the Maltese Cross Cabin. 

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.

There was several huge prairie dog towns. We ate our lunch near one so we could watch them. 

We got a close-up view of these beasts too.

There was lots of babies.

Coal Vein Trail

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.

There was lots of flowers!

One evening we took a hike to a petrified forest.

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.

Checking out the petrified trees.

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!

Happy children!

The children were beyond thrilled that we took them to play mini golf!

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!