The landscape undergoes a drastic change after entering the Badlands gate.  The landscape is said to resemble the moon, with white, red, yellow, and even the occasional green layer of earth, stacked in mounds, towers, and other bizarre formations.  We took an hour hike on the "Notch Trail," and even climbed too high on some of the mud mounds; Alon almost didn't get down [he did the same thing in 1993 when visiting the Badlands].  After the hike, we made about 11 stops in the small park, taking in the different views that various overlooks had to offer.  We saw many varieties of wild flowers, barking prairie dogs, and even saw our first Buffalo of the trip! 

After leaving the Badlands, we made our way to Wall, SD, the home of the famous water dispensing, signs for hundreds of miles on the highway, Wall Drug General Store.  Alon bought a cowboy hat, and then we went to an all you can eat buffet which made Neal happy.  After eating, we hurried to get to Mt. Rushmore for the 9 PM lighting ceremony.  We arrived at the amphitheatre at 8:59, and enjoyed the presentation.  After leaving Rushmore, we checked out the western town of Deadwood.  Then, we drove to our first camp site in Rapid City, SD.  Our "2 Second" tent [you throw it up in the air, and it assembles in literally 2 seconds] did its job, and provided us with convenience and comfort for the night!