Natural Fireworks in the Badlands

Today was the last day of classes, though Nicole already left. I did a few last items. It has been a great week, and I feel as though I’ve learned a lot about bookbinding, a subject that’s stumped me for quite awhile. It was nice getting to be around so many artists and get to know them a little bit. Wednesday was an interesting night as it was the infamous Frogman’s bowling night. Mostly what I enjoyed throughout the week was learning to make books. We left Vermillion and stopped at Spirit Rock, and the Corn Palace. We then went to the Badlands. Jojo wasn’t feeling too well, but we stopped at a few of the overlooks and enjoyed the views before making our way to the campgrounds. The campgrounds weren’t much, as it was simple a field where everyone pitched their tent; but the surroundings were beautiful. We climbed the hills overlooking the nearby land and spent time just watching the sun go down. We came back down and set up our tent and got ready for bed, as our plan was to get up at 4:30 to avoid the crowds and the heat. That night there were beautiful stars out and a far off lightning storm in the distance that lit up the billowing clouds. It was a way to have natural fireworks, anything better than in the city, on the 4th. That night we also heard the coyote yelping and howling and it didn’t sound very far away.