Friday - Today we traveled 100 miles to Wyoming (a state I knew I would love) to see Devil's Tower, which is really Bear Tower to the Native Am but was changed by a white man, and again, the sacredness of the Black Hills surrounds us. We hiked around the mountain (1.3 miles) and it was up and down and scary and fun. Rick and I had to stop and sit now and then but we trudged along. At various places there are prayer bundles tied to the trees and bushes. We had nothing to tie so Rick plucked one of my hairs and we left that with a prayer for our family and friends. Toward the end of the trail and after going UP another time, I let out an expletive and Rick is not sure if my consecrated prayer will stand. Sorry. Thoughout the trail you were told to stay on the track because the ground was considered sacred by the Native Americans and so, even the small children stayed on the trail. It was neat.
We also watched climbers- Rick was fascinated. I guess there was a conflict between climbers, hikers and the Native Am because of the holes put in the tower to climb and the chance of littering and going off trails by the visitors. There is a sort of compromise going on now. At the top of the trail the wind is soothing and the world is so still and quiet. I can see how the tower is a national monument and why the Native Americans return each year in June to celebrate their rituals. We loved this trip and seeing the red rock of Wyoming.
You can go to http://www.devilstower.net/ to see the monument. On a side note, Rick and I were walking, holding hands (as support) and he stumbled on a rock and I grabbed his hand to help and we had to stop because he thought I broke his thumb!!!! It was so funny and I had a hard time catching my breath for the laughing. Again, not so much laughter from Rick. Ha. At the base of the tower were prairie dogs - so many of them - I took a video for the girls - but cannot get it to load. I will do that tonight. Love you all.
Friday - Today we traveled 100 miles to Wyoming (a state I knew I would love) to see Devil's Tower, which is really Bear Tower to the Native Am but was changed by a white man, and again, the sacredness of the Black Hills surrounds us. We hiked around the mountain (1.3 miles) and it was up and down and scary and fun. Rick and I had to stop and sit now and then but we trudged along. At various places there are prayer bundles tied to the trees and bushes. We had nothing to tie so Rick plucked one of my hairs and we left that with a prayer for our family and friends. Toward the end of the trail and after going UP another time, I let out an expletive and Rick is not sure if my consecrated prayer will stand. Sorry. Thoughout the trail you were told to stay on the track because the ground was considered sacred by the Native Americans and so, even the small children stayed on the trail. It was neat. 
We also watched climbers- Rick was fascinated. I guess there was a conflict between climbers, hikers and the Native Am because of the holes put in the tower to climb and the chance of littering and going off trails by the visitors. There is a sort of compromise going on now. At the top of the trail the wind is soothing and the world is so still and quiet. I can see how the tower is a national monument and why the Native Americans return each year in June to celebrate their rituals. We loved this trip and seeing the red rock of Wyoming. 
You can go to http://www.devilstower.net/ to see the monument. On a side note, Rick and I were walking, holding hands (as support) and he stumbled on a rock and I grabbed his hand to help and we had to stop because he thought I broke his thumb!!!! It was so funny and I had a hard time catching my breath for the laughing. Again, not so much laughter from Rick. Ha. At the base of the tower were prairie dogs - so many of them - I took a video for the girls - but cannot get it to load. I will do that tonight. Love you all.
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