We ventured out from Sturgis to Sundance, Wyoming (about 40 miles) to meet a high school friend for lunch. Sundance is about halfway between her home and our parked trailer. Sundance is named after the Sun Dance ceremony practiced by several American Indian tribes.
It's a cute little town (population of 1032 at the 2020 census) with a lot of history. We stopped in the square for a few photos.
Henry Longabaugh (aka Sundance Kid) and Etta Place
Etta Place was involved with the Sundance Kid and was a "member" of the Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch. Born in about 1878, nothing is known of Etta's life before she met the Sundance Kid. The two reportedly married, he using the alias Harry A. Place; however, no record of the marriage is known to exist.
The Wild Bunch
Standing (L-R) News Carver, Kid Curry
Sitting (L-R) The Sundance Kid, Tall Texan, Butch Cassidy
Unfortunately, it was Labor Day and the restaurant where we were going to meet, and pretty much the only one in town, was closed. So we made a quick detour and met her in Spearfish, South Dakota.
Steerfish in Spearfish - haha!
The chairs in front were a great place to relax and catch up - see them?
The history didn't stop with the restaurant - Ron and Dottie grew up around the corner from each other and were almost like brother and sister. And then graduation came and we lost track of her - until about 18 months ago when we stopped for a visit on a trip west from South Dakota. And here we were, together again.
The next day we set out for Devils Tower which was about 45 minutes from Sturgis. We had a great view from the car as we approached.
Devils Tower was the first U.S. national monument, established on September 24, 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt. The monument's boundary encloses an area of 1,347 acres.
We spent a few minutes inside and then headed out for a walk around the Tower.
Taller than the Washington Monument!
Thankfully, the path around the Tower was gravel and in good shape.
I know I'm out of shape but this was tough due to the elevation. But we trudged on.
The connections which tie American Indian culture to Devils Tower are both ancient and modern. Modern connections are maintained through personal and group ceremonies. Sweat lodges, sun dances, and others are still practices at the monument today. The most common ritual that takes place at the Tower are prayer offerings. Colorful cloths are placed near the Tower - commonly seen along the trails - and represent a personal connection to the site. They are similar to ceremonial objects from other religions, and may represent a person making an offering, a request, or in remembrance of a person or place. As with many religious ceremonies, they are private to the individual or group.
Of course, Ron was impressed with all of the rocks.
We kept going.
As the sun rises in the east, long shadows cast a deeper view into the Tower. The Window is one of the Tower's most distinctive features, a 300-foot alcove above the boulder field. The Window cracked open as tall stone pillars toppled from the Tower. You can see nature's brushstrokes in shades of orange and green lichen that now cover much of the Tower. The sun wasn't rising but you get the idea.
Hundreds of climbers scale the sheer rock walls each summer. There are many established and documented climbing routes covering every side of the tower, ascending the various vertical cracks and columns of the rock. The difficulty of these routes range from relatively easy to some of the most challenging in the world. All climbers are required to register with a park ranger before and after attempting a climb. No overnight camping at the summit is allowed; climbers return to base on the same day they ascend.
I was pooped and wondered how much farther we had to go before we had walked all the way around the Tower. At least we had some fantastic views.
Are we getting closer? WHAT?????
I'll admit it - I was being a wussy so I shut up and tried to enjoy the experience. But without a doubt, the best part of the day was this.....
I made it!
On to more Wyoming adventures coming up.
Very cool!
ReplyDeleteDevil's Tower is incredible - glad we had the opportunity to visit.
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