Now that I'm en route home from Badlands and reflecting on this last residency, I have a few thoughts to offer. First, this landscape remains just as interesting and spectacular to me now as it was the first time I saw it, even after more than 26 cumulative weeks spent as artist-in-residence and at least a total of 4 more weeks as a summer visitor. That's the equivalent of over half a year here in the past two years - yikes, a whole quarter of my life! No wonder this place feels like my second home.

In addition to the landscape, I treasure my badlands friendships: so many people here are endlessly supportive, kind, encouraging, and welcoming. It is truly like a homecoming when I arrive. There's rarely a dull moment and always someone to share a meal and an evening with, someone to listen to my ideas and offer feedback. I have found friends who will hike with me, explore, seek adventure, be silly, laugh, cry, hug, and in the end become brothers and sisters. Thanks to the friends who have shared a desire to get out and see this place. It couldn't possibly be the same without the companionship, the insights, and the resource education you've imparted. You have added such depth of knowledge to my experiences at Badlands.

I have watched this park face multiple challenges during my times here. This spring, particularly the past couple weeks, have been exceedingly tough with far too many instances of heartache and loss. My thoughts remain with everyone at the park as they struggle through the near future and its uncertainties.

Cheers to those who have shown me the Badlands for their glory over the past two years. You know who you are, and I offer my thanks and love, always. See you next time!

My last full day in Badlands this trip. Always bitter sweet. After a morning spent on business: packing, cleaning, wrapping up work-related topics at the park, etc., I drove to Interior. I had a few people to see briefly for some business, then stopped at a friend's to bring him some remnant food items from my fridge. He was making lemon meringue pie, and after that we went for a drive east on White River Road, roughly following the badlands wall east. There are some neat formations out that way, and good rock fields. We did spend a little time hunting around. My friend spotted a fairburn agate (so not fair that he always finds them) and we both found all kinds of cool bubble gum agates and other neat things. It was nice to see another new landscape and be out driving with the windows down in the sunshine and warm air. I had thought to perhaps go down to Sage Creek looking for bison calves, but that drive is lengthy and time was short. In the evening I wrapped up the last of my packing and polished off the last couple things from my fridge. I spent some time with friends, just hanging out at home. Had also thought to get back to the Wagon Wheel tonight, but you just can't squeeze everything in. Really with I'd had more time for cribbage games down there this last month.

That's it for now. Tomorrow morning I check out, say goodbye to everyone, and hit the road. With a stop first at the Dahl to pick up the paintings that remain from my exhibit. Farewell, apt. 45B, you've been a nice place to nest for a while.

There are many old train bridges, though the tracks
have been removed. The railroads were the reason
for so many of the small towns around here to exist.