This begins my third season at Badlands National Park and it has been a very busy start.  Several familiar faces,some new faces and everyone is excited about a new season.  I had a very good trip out, no major traffic and smooth going all the way.

"Ranger Cindy, where you been?"  Actually this little guy is probably from this years little ones.  He was about half the size of the adults.

Thursday night the skies opened up in true prairie fashion with a spectacular lightning and thunderstorm.  All the rangers ooohed and aaahed as flash after flash lite up the sky, some bolts were cloud to ground and others unraveled themselves across the sky for miles and miles. 

"Who's back?"

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Did not get pictures of the 15 or so bighorn sheep that were walking on the side of the formation as I drove through the park or the herd of pronghorn with their 10 or so new additions but there is lots of season to go! So you can tell it is already a great start to the season.  I am glad to be back and working alongside those who love what they do and sharing their enthusiasm with those who come through as visitors

First day of the trip out to the park.  Traffic was light and the weather was very nice.  A few thunderstorms near Dayton but they cooled things off.  Teased my daughter with a phone photo of Skyline chili.  She is a fan and where else would you eat in Ohio!  It was delicious, spaghetti with chili and cheese what more could you ask for? About 12 hours on the road with stops and such.  This is the longest day, tomorrow will be shorter and then just a hop and a skip to the park on Tuesday.  My friend Mary will be serving as a TRT again if you want to follow her link.  She will start a bit later since right now she is in the Galapagos! Adventure at every corner! 

All packed up and ready to head out to the Badlands for summer of 2012! YAHOO!
More teachers at my school have been asking about the TRT program this year.  They are really excited and curious about spending that much time away from home and the adventures of driving out.  So here we go again, get ready I have a feeling this is going to be a super summer, as usual.
I couldn't begin the summer without a huge Thank You to my school district they have been great about working with the park service and making things happen on this end.  My principal is fantastic as is all the staff at my school. Shout out DECC Newport News-you rock!  The children were amazed this year during our career fair.  I broke out the fossil kit and my slide show, they just couldn't believe they got to touch things and that I had a life outside of the school building.  Very cool!  Keep up with me over the summer.  Coming soon a post about Badlands adventure in Washington DC this past year.  Hurray for National Fossil Day!