The Badlands of South Dakota

   On our short vacation to South Dakota a few weeks ago, Al took me to see Mount Rushmore for the first time. We spent Saturday afternoon at the monument, fascinated by the skill of artist Gutzon Borglum who created the lifelike images of Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Lincoln. The details in the presidents’ faces were especially amazing, right down to the pupils of their eyes which were created by leaving a long granite spike in each eye socket and creating deep caverns in the surrounding rock.

   Sunday found us driving east from Rapid City to the Badlands National Park, passing mile upon mile of Wall Drug Store billboards which advertised everything from A to Z, including “5 cent coffee!” Shortly after turning off the main highway, the road began curving through prairie country with light colored pinnacles and rocky spires in the distance. At the first vista viewing area, the landscape opened up to an incredible sight of deep canyons and ravines, shadowy valleys and myriads of weather-sculpted rock formations contrasting with the bright blue sky stretching overhead.

   There were many perfect picture-taking opportunities while driving through the badlands. The interesting formations were banded with different colored layers—white or light gray on the top, then tan, red, gray and black in descending order. Mounds of yellow ‘fossil’ soil could also be seen at lower levels. With the change in lighting during the day, the colors and contrasts between the lighter pinnacles and the deep, dark ravines also changed. 

   “Badlands” was the right name for this country. The Lakota Indians referred to it as “Mako Sika,” meaning “land bad” or “eroded land.” Later, when French fur traders came through the area, they referred to it as “les mauvaises terres a traverser” which translates as bad lands to traverse! Over time rivers and flood waters rushing down from the nearby Black Hills have eroded and carved the land, creating the spectacular landscape.

    About half of the park is made up of the badlands; the rest is prairie--home to pronghorn antelope, bison and prairie dogs which we enjoyed seeing, and other specially adapted mammals, birds and reptiles. Besides rugged terrain, the extreme weather conditions, from high winds, blizzards and floods to dry heat, drought and fire make it a difficult environment in which to live.

   Early settlers who were lured west by the promise of cheap land found this out quickly. It sounded like a dream come true, but in reality turned out to be nearly impossible for people to survive. Bandits and outlaws found good hiding places there, at least temporarily!

   The thought came to me while driving on the Badlands loop through the park, that we all find ourselves in valleys of shadows at various times in our lives. Right now, our family is going through a time of uncertainty and questions as our daughter is recovering from brain surgery to remove a tumor in the cerebellum. The discovery of the tumor was a shock to us all. But thankfully, things fell into place quickly, decisions were made and the tumor was completely removed.

   We are comforted in the knowledge that the Lord our shepherd, Jehovah Rohi, is with us as we face uncertainty and will bring us through those trials stronger and closer to Him. It is also comforting to know that there is a strong support group of people who have gone ahead of us, as well as those surrounding us now with love, prayers and encouragement. May blessings come as we travel through ‘lands that are difficult to traverse!’

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca (weeping), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” Psalm 84:5-7 NIV