Day 8: Badlands National Park, SD to Casper, WY

Total Miles Driven - 2,195

Today’s Miles - 320

Wednesday, June 1st

During the COVID-19 lockdown planning of this trip, I had fantasies of a day like today on a memory loop. I woke to a cool, crisp morning in my hammock. Then, I made coffee and biscuits and gravy. Well, kind of. I hydrated dehydrated biscuits and gravy, which taste pretty spectacular. After warming up from my hardy breakfast, I hopped on my Vespa and began exploring.

Today’s ride took me through the Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Black Hills National Forest, and the Thunder Basin National Grasslands. My route unexpectedly included 25-miles of a dirt and gravel road, where I passed only five cars and one road grader. Once I slid my way down the loose path, it was smooth roads across some of America’s greatest scenery.

Here are some of the things I saw…