Hi everyone! Welcome to day 25. Today was one of the most exciting days of our trip so far because we finally got to visit a National Park. We biked in the Badlands National Park today for about 25 miles out of the overall 60 miles we did. The first 20 miles we did we basically were flying, trying to get to the park as quickly as possible. Right before the entrance to the park, we stopped at the prairie dog ranch to feed the little guys and, of course, buy some amazing merch at their gift store.

After the ranch we entered the park and the picture taking started. Let’s just say that if I were to include all of the pictures we took at the Badlands, it would take you, the reader, about half an hour to scroll all the way down to the bottom of this webpage. But, here are just some highlights that I sincerely hope you will enjoy :)

The excitement did not end after we got out of the park, however. We were going to out stayover - Wall. The legendary Wall - the home of the legendary Wall Drug Store. Most of us headed there straight after showers and were immediately amazed by the chaotic nature of this place. They truly have everything from souvenirs to real animal hides, to children’s toys, to burgers and homemade ice cream. And, of course, the legendary free ice water and 5 cent coffee that just tasted like warm water with no coffee flavor whatsoever.

Day 36 is going to be the long awaited rest day, so no journal entry will be posted. As a consolation prize and an elegant way of ending today’s journal entry, here are a selection of quotes about the Badlands from our riders:

“Although the lands were bad, the memories were good” - Matt W.

“I don’t know why they call it Badlands, because so far it has been nothing but Wonderful-lands” - Angela.

“I am thinking” - Bryan.

“Badlands? More like Goodlands” - Maddie the Baddie.

-Valerie