July 14, 2025 (Mon.) - Travel Day, The Badlands, sunset, moon
The day finally arrived—our big move eastward! We said goodbye to Custer and headed toward our next adventure: boondocking just outside Badlands National Park at a spot fittingly called Badlands Boondock Campspot.
Lynn was up bright and early at 5:30 AM, making the most of quiet hours to catch up on blogging. Most of the travel prep had been handled ahead of time, which helped keep the morning smooth.
Kirk rolled out by 8:00 AM, diving into the classic pre-departure routine: loading the bike, emptying and filling tanks, and buttoning up the campsite.
We pulled out of Custer around 10:30 AM, expecting a relaxed ~115-mile journey with an arrival time near 12:45 PM. Straightforward route, but the forecast was aiming for a sizzling 98°F, so timing mattered. The most crucial detail? Approaching the campsite from the south side, as the northern entry features a steep gravel climb that’s no treat for big rigs. Plus, new rules meant no more cliffside camping with dramatic views—just designated spots tucked across the way (about 50 feet away so not too bad).
By 1:30 PM, we settled in for lunch with PB&Js and juicy watermelon. The simplicity of boondocking meant minimal setup, which was a blessing in that heat. The spot we got was slightly uphill but not bad. The flatter spots were all taken.
Around 3:00 PM, we set off to drive the Badlands Loop and hit the Visitors Center. We entered through the Pinnacles Entrance near Wall, SD, but quickly realized—we were chasing a storm. The dark clouds made the already stunning layered rock formations even more intense, and with lightning crackling above, the views turned almost surreal. Cost to enter the park = $30 per vehicle good for 7 days.
One hiccup: Lynn’s iPhone hit max storage just as the skies got dramatic. She scrambled to delete unused apps and photos, but luckily had her Canon DSLR and Kirk’s phone as backup. It took about an hour to reach the Visitors Center, which was packed with storm-dodgers. While Lynn browsed, Kirk captured incredible lightning shots over the park’s jagged peaks.
The storm wasn’t done with us. Heading back, the rain hit hard, and visibility dropped to nearly zero. Then—BOOM—lightning struck nearby, so loud it felt like a cannon had gone off right next to the car. It was startling, surreal, and strangely exhilarating.
Back at camp, we found ourselves in a sloppy mud pit. No amount of tiptoeing was going to save the floors—unless Kirk carried Lynn and Otis across, which would’ve ended with all three of them face-down in the sludge. A neighbor told us we’d just missed hail and intense winds, so at least we dodged that bullet.
Blogging resumed until the internet died mid-upload—Starlink had toppled in the wind. Kirk braved the elements and reset it using his trusty new raincoat from Indian Motorcycle—worth every penny!
Just when things settled, Lynn noticed a glow through the window. Stepping outside revealed a jaw-dropping sunset awash in orange, purple, and blue—an unforgettable show after the chaos.
By 9:00 PM, the wind picked up again, but not enough to warrant pulling in the slides. The lightning and rain danced across the sky for hours, wrapping up our arrival day with a bit more drama.
We finished with a classic boondock-style shower, aiming to conserve water—only for the water pump to go out… twice! Kirk handled it like a champ, even if it meant dripping across the RV to reset it. And just for fun? He added six more moth kills to the ongoing tally, bringing us up to a moth massacre count of 36.
Just before midnight, Kirk noticed what looked like a bright light outside. With Lynn fast asleep, curiosity got the better of him and he stepped out to investigate. Turned out, it wasn’t artificial light at all—it was the full moon casting a brilliant glow across the landscape, lighting up the night like nature’s own lantern.
From scorching heat to stormy skies, muddy boots to magical sunsets—welcome to the Badlands.
Weather – High 98*, Low 62*. Winds 5-14 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
Traffic – None.
Food – Nothing to report. Ate in the RV.
Notable – The Badlands, Thunderstorms, Sunset, Moon
Moth death toll – 36
