Wyoming

The plan for the day was to head out to Hulett, Wyoming to see our nation's first national monument, Devils Tower.  On the way we went through a small town named Aladdin, Wyoming.  This caught our attention for two reasons, first, the size of the town, population 15 and second, there is a geo-cache located in the area.  For those of you who don't know us, we have been geo-caching for a couple of years and always enjoy doing a geo-cache that is out of the ordinary.  This one took us to the Aladdin Tipple Coal Mine Operation.  The Aladdin mine began operation in the late 1800’s and coal was mined until it was abandoned in 1942. The coal was used as a local fuel source and to fire the gold smelters in Lead and Deadwood, South Dakota.

While doing the geo-cache we discovered a tipple.  What is a tipple you ask?  It is a chute that sorts coal of different sizes into train cars below. 

We climbed to the top of the area and not only discovered the geo-cache but also some very interesting information regarding the mine. This mine produced 160 tons a day of coal.  It was one of the first underground mines in northeastern Wyoming and was a privately owned operation.

 Devil's Tower from Highway 24

After our stop at the city of Aladdin, we continued on to Devil's Tower.  As soon as we spotted it from the highway we had to stop and take a picture.  To say we were awed by the sight of the tower before us would be an understatement.  To see it from so far away, rises up and towering over everything within miles is very overwhelming. 

 This was on of the most majestic sights I have ever seen. Devil's Tower rises 1267 feet above the Bell Fourche river.  The 1347 acre park is covered with pine forest, woodlands and grasslands.  Deer, prairie dogs, a vast array of birds and chipmunks can been seen.  We walked the 1.3 mile loop at the base and stopped often to marvel at this towering giant.  From each angle the tower took on a new appearance and showed itself to have many faces.  Pieces of columns missing, broken off hundreds of years ago, slight greenish coloration  near the top, and a more rocky appearance near the base, all depending on which side you were looking. We spotted several daredevil rock climbers as we circled around and also many colorful pieces of fabric and ribbon tied to the trees.  Devil's Tower is considered to be a sacred mountain to many American Indians. The mountain is seen as a place where the creator has chosen to communicate with them through visions and prayer. The colorful pieces of cloth and small bundles or pouches hanging from the trees are prayer cloths and represent the prayers offered by individuals during their worship.

After leaving Devil's Tower, we decided to take the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway to the city of  Deadwood, South Dakota and back home.  This byway takes you through the northern Black Hills, the view is always close and always upward. The narrow canyon walls rise sharply skyward showing a forest of spruce, pine, aspen, birch, and oak covering much of the hillsides and canyon limestone walls.  We even stopped along the road to take pictures of the Bridal Veil Waterfalls.

Arriving in Deadwood, South Dakota we only had a short time to take in the sights as it was getting late and we were tired.  Deadwood's story begin when pioneer Frank Bryant was out hunting and discovered gold.  The sparkling metal brought miners and merchants to the beautiful Northern Black Hills.  The town is rich in western history including the murder of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane being buried in the local cemetery.  Deadwood was the first small community in the U.S. to seek legal gambling revenues as a way of maintaining local historic qualities and with over 80 gambling establishments within it's small city, it seems every store, bar and restaurant has at least a hand full of slot machines for your pleasure.  We enjoyed looking at some of the older buildings, but as evening approached we were soon on our way home.

Until next time,

Jo

Native American Prayer

Oh, Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me, I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my Spirit may come to you without shame.

(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)