Badlands made me appreciate the beautiful world we all live in.
When people think about South Dakota, they think Mount Rushmore. Don’t get me wrong, Mount Rushmore is majestic and there is a lot to do in Rapid City. But there is another attraction that is only an hour and a half away from the Great Faces – the Badlands National Park. I’m not, by any means, science-savvy, but here is an attempt of explaining how it came into being: The Badlands were created by clay and soil that have been eroded by water and wind over thousands of years, leaving the terrain in beautiful valleys and hills. I remember seeing the different layers of colors on the rocks and thought it looked like somebody had painted them with a brush.
My friends and I drove through the National Park, whose roads were well paved and easy to navigate. There were animals grazing, people having picnics on the grass. Every once in a while, we would come across a bench. The people of the National Park did their very best to keep the Badlands natural and away from man-made constructions. My friends and I decided to be adventurous and walked all the way to the end then sat down. I felt humbled but the Badlands’ sheer size, also empowered by nature itself.
I was born and raised in the city, needless to say, I value the comfort and convenience the city provides me. However, it is a wonderful change, stepping away from the chaos and for a moment, appreciate the beautiful world we all live in.
Article written by Panarat Anamwathana.
