Visited the Devil's Tower in Wyoming

We got up this morning to our first rain day, but it quickly turned into partially sunny for our drive to Devil's Tower...a large...no, make the huge jutting rock formation in the middle of the national park.

First, I needed to make a trip to the Sheridan Post Office. Along the way, the Historic Sheridan Inn caught my attention and I asked Ken to stop on the way out of town. We did and we were not disappointed. The Inn, built in 1892 by the railroad, is impressive, beautiful, comfortable, and full of fascinating history. I thoroughly enjoy being in historical homes and landmarks...and upon hearing just a few details about the building, I can imagine the ghosts of the past laughing, enjoying meals together, and going about their day to day activities. I felt this quickly upon entering the Sheridan Inn when the Innkeeper, Ms. Carla Hager, began providing details of the Inn's rich history. The ghosts of the Sheridan Inn include many famous individuals - Buffalo Bill Cody "Wild Bill," who actually owned the Inn for several years, the beloved Will Rogers, Ernest Hemingway, Calamity Jane, President Herbert Hoover and many more. The building is currently under renovation on the upper floors; however, the restaurant, saloon/bar, and relaxing wrap-around porch is already in use.

We wandered into the saloon (now referred to as the bar), looking at old photographs and admiring the antiques from days long gone. I was reading a booklet written by a woman, Mary, who had lived in the Inn for over 60 years - serving in the earlier days as the seamstress and housekeeper. She died while living at the Inn - and her ashes remain behind a wall in that same small room she occupied as a young woman. Okay, now we have a ghost story. Hearing my inquiries into the Inn's own personal ghost, Bruce Pryde, who serves on the Inn's non-profit board, stepped in and asked if we would like to see the upstairs, which remains unfinished (and see where Mary resides). He took us through every room in the Inn and told us stories of the earlier years and what is happening today (they are waiting for additional funds to complete the renovation upstairs to bring the Inn to full life). Bruce and Carla spent more than an hour with us. Their desire to preserve this valuable and beautiful piece of our history was evident. We met two "Extra Milers" this morning and appreciated their time! If you are ever in the vicinity of Sheridan, Wyoming, add this to your "must see" list and enjoy the history and warm welcome found in the Sheridan Inn. Thanks Bruce and Carla.

This was the first national monument in the US. As we approached the site (you can see it from the interstate), we nearly decided to pass it by. It doesn't look like much from a distance; however, it is pretty impressive once you are standing below the massive columned structure.

We walked up the steep hill to the monument and then took a hike around the monument - very nice walk on a paved trail, winding through a wooded area. There were pieces of colored cloth placed throughout the trees and we found out they are Native American prayer bundles. This site is considered sacred ground to many Native Americans. They ask that visitors respect that fact and to hold down voices so others can enjoy the peace and solitude of the monument. Ha...we had children walking all around us and the precious little ones were running, jumping, and squealing with delight at the large enticing rocks and running paths. Unlike Yellowstone, where your child can be boiled if they get off the trail, this place invites children to run, jump, climb, and have fun. It is difficult not to climb on the huge boulders and delight in the environment of Devil's Tower. We also were pleased to see rock climbers (about 8) coming down from the mountain (rappelling).

On the way out of the park, we stopped to see an entire field full of prairie dog mounds. We parked and as we fought off the killer grasshoppers (there were thousands, no...maybe millions of them - can you tell that I do not like aggressive grasshoppers?!), we could hear the high pitch warnings from the prairie dogs. Apparently, each group has one dog assigned to stand guard over the others in the ground and that sentry will warn the others that danger approaches. Soon, we could hear dozens of these critters making their warning sound. It was not an unpleasant noise and actually it was funny to see these little guys spread eagle or standing over their dens, chirping their warning. I taped some of the military prairie dog activity and will attempt to drop it into this blog. Some stood their ground, even when I walked within a few feet of their home. Others ran into the hole despite my sweet "nice doggie, doggie" coaxing. On the way back to our RV...I saw something moving in the bushes next to the road and saw a small doe. She thought she was hidden, but didn't seem fearful as I approached. She kept her eyes on me as I walked slowly and took photographs...she didn't seem to mind. I will post one of those photos also. I have seem more wildlife (up close) in the past several days than I have in a lifetime.

We are just now arriving in Keystone, South Dakota...and will be visiting Mt. Rushmore tomorrow - maybe Deadwood - and also the Crazy Horse structure. We are now in the Black Hills. It is very dark already and all we can see is blackness except for car lights - so I see where the hills get their name.

Nite~
Carol and Ken