What a day! We traveled from Valentine to the Badlands. Before leaving Valentine we drove and hiked through Fort Niobrabra a wildlife refuge. Leighton got a great picture. The highlight, newly hatched killdeer chicks. The father was so dramatic trying to drawn Leighton’s attention. We had to get past them and the chick just keep going down the road. Finally we were able to get by and the daddy bird made a scene and fused in front of us until he was satisfied we were far enough away. We took the scenic road, route 20, across Nebraska. Beautiful and desolate. We went through several towns, one had 20 people, the next 118 (no food or gas) and finally found one with both  before turning north to the badlands. It was strange to drive into the badlands. We went from rolling hills to barren peaks in moments.
As Leighton’s chauffeur through the badlands I had to follow the commands of STOP, NO Don’t STOP with a few slow downs thrown in for good measure. Leighton’s is in his element as you will see in the pictures.
finally retired! 
Awesome pictures!!! Looks better than it did on the phone.
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