Yatzecks Abroad: Badlands Day Two

We didn't set any alarms and it was great to get a nice full night of sleep. We woke up and had a campsite breakfast scramble with sausage, eggs, hashbrowns, and cheese. Got more ice for the coolers from a nearby gas station, and then headed into the park to check out the Visitor Center.

We had hoped to be able to watch the film at the visitor center (since we all fell asleep during it back in 2019), but unfortunately the projector was broken. We were able to check out the exhibits and watch the scientists working in the paleontology lab.

Katy was a bit disturbed by the poor animal getting eaten here.

We were so excited to find the kids were on the Fossil Finder board from our last trip here!

We decided to hike the Door Trail next. This trail is another easy trail, only about .75 miles round-trip. It starts with a boardwalk but then extends a bit into the rock formations. Plus of course, the free-hiking is allowed so of course the kids took full advantage of that.

Bunch of bird nests under the shelter roof next to the parking lot

It was getting hot and everyone was getting hungry so we headed back to the campsite. We made some sandwiches for lunch. The kids wanted to jump in the campground pool.

Pops and Dad and Joey decided to go hike the Saddle Pass Trail, and everyone else decided to stay back at the campground. They found this fossil on their hike.

Yes, that's Joey up there.

Cooking dinner at the campsite! We had sauteed chicken tenderloins and green beans. Mary made the vinyl Zelda decal for our van.

Gram bought cupcakes to celebrate our birthdays (Melissa in May and Joe in June) since we won't see them on our actual birthdays. We didn't have candles so we blew on the lighter after everyone sang Happy Birthday.

After dinner the weather was significantly cooler so we decided to attempt to hike the Notch Trail. Gram's knee has been bothering her so we weren't sure if she'd be able to make it the whole way as it's a pretty rigorous trail that involves a rope/log ladder. Turns out she made it!

Here's a bunch of photos of the Notch Trail Hike:

We've been spotting these mule deer pretty frequently as we drive through the park.

Prickly Pear Cactus Bloom

Steepest part of the Notch Trail

Made it up!

At the end of the trail you get to an incredible view where you can look out through a "notch" in the wall (where Notch Trail gets its name). Here's Joe and I standing in pretty much the same spot, just facing opposite directions - it's so cool both ways you look through the wall!