Now why would anyone want to call this landscape the badlands. Awesome lands is what I would call this view located in the Badlands National Park.
The area in the center of this photo, taken in Badlands National Park, was once a jungle. -- Photo by Pat Bean
My Favorite Places
For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right, since its appearance changes at every moment, but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life – the light and the air which vary continually. For me, it only the surrounding atmosphere which gives subjects their true value.” – Claude Monet
NaNoWri Mo Update
I’ve decided that I will start each November novel writing day with what’s long been my favorite song. It’s an oldie, but goodie that first topped the Billboard Chart back in 1972. It got me through many a tough day of working and raising children at the same time. The lyrics tell me “I can do anything.”
I hope that includes writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.
I am Woman, Hear Me Roar
“I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
’cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again
You can bend but never break me
’cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
’cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul
I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land
But I’m still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
Oh yes I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman”
— Helen Reddy and Ray Burton
Pat Bean's blog 
I suspect that the Badlands got its name back when people were passing through on horseback. It’s beautiful, though.
Gosh, I haven’t heard Helen Reddy in a dog’s age.
It’s interesting to learn that the Badlands was once a jungle. Just shows that everything changes; nothing stays the same. This is the one thing we can be sure of. In this time of fear-mongering about climate change it is reassuring for me to know that it has been always so and will ever be. I have total faith that the continuing interaction between Planet Earth and all her inhabitants will continue to produce new and fascinating flora and fauna and all things marvelous! Including roaring women!!
Nice pictures. I have a few good memories from riding my bicycle up and down those bad lands a long time ago.