It's always a different feeling to be here as a visitor and not resident. Spending a few days camping at the Budget Host and exploring the park. There has been much rain this spring, so the grasses are exceptionally green and lush. Tried to spend a day hiking through the north unit, but wound up with a dead car battery after the first stop. Spent the rest of the day getting a jump, driving to wall, and bumming around Wall Drug while waiting for a new battery to arrive from Rapid City. Yesterday I went out with the chief ranger chasing sunset photographs in the Stronghold District. We took the park's razor out, with a lovely driving plan. Badlands being aptly named, we were thwarted time and again trying to find a clear route north from Cedar Butte into the Battle Creek area. After more than an hour we had made remarkably little progress, so headed back to the White River VC to swap the razor for the explorer and scoot over to the slide road. I hiked down to the base, and am pretty happy with some of the shots I got there. Wish I'd had a couple more hours, or years, to spend there (as always). That place always makes me happy. We aimed to go out into Palmer Creek today, but the morning started with a thunderstorm, and two more lined up behind. Baseball sized hail just south of where we're camping. I emptied the tent, which is now surrounded by a shallow lake. I suspect we'll be seeking alternative sleeping arrangements for tonight, though I haven't checked to see whether the tent itself remains dry inside. Seems unlikely with further thunderstorms predicted through the day and night.

Here are some shots from yesterday: