#bendlegendary

A Killer Blizzard Convinced People to Restore the Bison Herds

Bison Power Bison may be the largest North American animal in North America, and that’s part of why they are celebrated every November 2.  As you may expect, they are the stars of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. If you don’t believe me, just look where cars are stopped and cameras are clicking.  And it was a killer blizzard that gave life to bison when their herds were nearly wiped out in…

It’s Getting More Colorful — Right now The Marquis de Mores’ Chateau in the distance. This time in September is getting more colorful in the Badlands. It’s great for photos — especially a photo selfie. Do you use a selfie stick?  We had one, but it broke. A selfie stick is nice to have. We’ve found these are six perfect spots for selfies. And get this: these spots were around when your…

These 11 Photos show why the Theodore Roosevelt National Park is so Beautiful

National Park Week Begins This Weekend On Saturday, April 16, entrance is free. The Park was closed through the 15th because of the snowfall, but crews are working to open the road and allow visitors during the week. but since this is #NationalParkWeek, you have a reason to visit. Learn more about the daily events at all the National Parks. North Dakotans are Blessed to have the TR National…

Get a spectacular view of the Badlands color with this simple move

Watch the western sky Looking northwest we hoped the break in the clouds on the horizon would reveal a last glimpse of light on the landscape Weather changes west to east.  So on a cloudy, overcast day, keep watching the western horizon to get an impressive view of the badlands. Look for a break in the clouds right at the horizon.  When the sun gets down to that point, be prepared. The badlands…

Handicap Accessible Projects, Attract More People to the TR National Park

More people can access the TR Park when multiple projects now underway, finish. The park is remodeling, rebuilding, adding facilities and making more of it handicap accessible. From trails, to visitor centers to bathrooms, the north and south units of the Theodore Roosevelt National park will look different. Before tourist season 2021, work crews make major repairs and upgrades to the Peaceful…

Reward — wildlife come out at Dusk in the National Park

Sunday Snapshot

Just about the time that most people pack it in, is when the wildlife comes out into the open at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  We’ve got some of our best shots at sunrise, or sunset, such as early morning migration to drink from the river. Wildlife at dusk are harder to see, but they’re there!

This week, I took a leisurely tour through the North Unit at the other end of…

Kids Show off the Quality of Life in Western North Dakota

Kids and quality of life in the West Have you ever noticed you are around something a lot, but you don’t notice it? Then, once you notice, you can’t help but notice it every time. That happened to me this summer.  We shifted our focus this summer from hiking and camping.  We focused instead on the quality-of-life events in western North Dakota.  So, we went to three powwows, three county fairs,…

This authentic Badlands powwow throws open the welcome doors

The Twin Buttes Powwow is tucked in the hills leading to the old Missouri River Valley. It’s a great place for the twin buttes powwow construction, and for the powwow itself. Before improvements, in 2006, the powwow grounds sat in the bottom of a valley leading to Lake Sakakawea Its’ one of my favorite powwows because it is authentic. Not a chamber of commerce event. It is not a tourism…