Heading west from Des Moines logic, the Badlands look like Earth forgot to finish smoothing the terrain. Doug and Marla camped at Cedar Pass—sites with views that feel unfair to other campgrounds.

They hiked the Notch Trail (Marla declined the ladder section; Doug went up and came down humbled). Bighorn sheep posed on ridges like they knew they were on a postcard.

Night brought a star field so dense Marla whispered, afraid to break it. Doug set up a camp chair and counted satellites until he fell asleep upright.

Silver Trekker verdict: Otherworldly camping on the way west—bring sun protection, water, and a camera with spare batteries.

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