Smiling Mud

In the Badlands

While out in Badlands National Park, I – like so many others — stopped at all the available pullouts along the loop road Hwy 240.

Each offered different views of the terrain within the park.

Some displayed powerful tall peaks, others multi-colored valleys.

Along the Walkway

At one of the earlier locations on the east side, the terrain was immediately available to visitors to walk and climb.

A well-constructed boardwalk led further back providing access to areas otherwise unseen by the daily traveler.

One Area of Water

Though the rest of the terrain was very dry, there was one small stream of run-off water flowing over the hard-crusted mud alongside the boardwalk.

It really wasn’t a stream as one would envision, but rather a very shallow coursing of water following the curvature of the surface as the landscape allowed.

Most people would probably never notice.

Immediately Captivating

As I walked over the boardwalk, the overhead morning sun glistened off the water’s surface and immediately captured my interest.

I jumped down and studied this flowing surface water. Patterns emerged from the view before me.

The Favorite of the Trip

While I did take many great pictures of the landscapes within the Badlands, in many ways, this is my favorite image from this trip.

I find myself following each line and curve, captivated by its simplicity, yet also its intricacy, almost as if it is smiling back at me!