Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The TRNP is in the far western area of ND and split into a North and South section. The ride over was through rolling praire and we saw lots of Prong Horn Antelope along the way. We first went to the North section which has a 14 mile in and out road to ride. Route 85 going to the park breaks into Badlands terrain just before the entrance and is absolutely spectacular. The day was clear and coolish and recent rains had greened up vegitation and in the case of the abundant Sage, Blued up. The terrain is radical with Buttes and knobs jutting up and ridges running in all directions. The sedimentary rock has layers of different colors with black seams of coal mixed in. The views go on as far as the eye can see. We bought our National Park Pass entering the North area, which is smaller and by what's written, lesser than the South area where TR resided. I would beg to differ. The North has higher, larger meadows and plains while the South sports a slightly more rugged look. You wouldn't want to have to find your way out of either section.
Wild life is plentiful and the Parks are home to just shy of 400 American Bison or Buffalo. Signs warn people and hikers to beware of these beasts which are quicker and more agile than their looks would indicate. The bulls weigh up to 2000 lbs. In the North secton we encountered two bulls at a pull over area that were on what appeared to be a regular commute. They crossed the road next to our truck and Dana got some good pix. They are huge and looked healthy, fit and muscular. As bulls age they tend to become more and more solitary, fraternizing only during mating periods. We saw more out in the high plains areas, but at quite a distance. In the South area we encountered a single bull wanting to cross the bridge we were stopped on. He wouldn't cross with us on it, so I pulled through and over. He dashed past and crossed over. Just after that we saw one laying down on ledge that looked like a spot for mountain goats. The last one we saw was posing on a ridge top just off the road. He held pose as car after car stopped and clicked away.
Wild horses also live there, and we saw two having a pretty good dispute just off the road. They were nipping, snorting and rearing at one another. An amazing site. Prairie dogs were everywhere. Overall, I'd have to say we've never been to a prettier place. TR had gone to the area in the 1880's for health reasons and fell in love with it. He went in as a partner on a cattle ranch and then added a second area which he owned by himself. A Frenchman had also come to the Medora area to establish a beef empire. Both were doing very well until a severe winter in the late 1880's destroyed 80% of the herds. The rivers were clogged by carcases in the Spring, and neither ranch recovered from the disaster. The Frenchman left and TR got into politics.
On the way back, we detoured to go on the Enchanted Highway which is known for the roadside sculptures artists have constructed. It was anti-climactic and we were wearing out by the time we got through it. Capped the day off with a traffic ticket from the local boys in Beulah,ND. Hit 40 leaving a 25 area following some motorcyclists. He didn't get them, but he got me. It's a $15 ticket and according to him, ND only has reciprosity with Montana and SD. A bad end to a great day. As the sun went down at our site, the coyotes were howling in the backround.