By Sam
I was expecting to loathe the Badlands. I thought it would be dry and dull and full of despair, just like the desert. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Once we arrived at our campground, our first order of business was to celebrate Eli’s 10th birthday by sticking candles in a chicken patty like a cake. As Mom said, “nothing says happy 10th birthday like a chicken patty.” At sunset, we went on a drive through the prairie to look for animals, and even though we saw a herd of magnificent big-horned sheep, the beauty of the landscape stole our attention. The sun was the color of a ripe nectarine, and hung smoldering and casting shadows in the sky. It set the strange rock formations and hills aglow. The next day, we hiked a couple trails that wove through the hills of rock and cliffs, and explored the visitor center. Even though we didn’t stay long in the Badlands, the sights and scenery convinced me that it would not join my list of Most Despised National Parks (hint: all of them are in the desert and give me rashes), in fact, I rather enjoyed our jaunt there.
