Time to hit it again.  Continuing west, that infamous place where thousands of motorcyclists gather every August was a hop, skip and a jump from Rapid City – Sturgis, SD.  Can’t even imagine how this little community supports that influx of people!

Almost 500,000 motorcyclists converge here every August.

One of MANY saloons here – quiet now, but sure it ‘roars’ in August!

One more brief detour from I-90 took us slightly north to Devils Tower National Monument – America’s first National Monument, proclaimed as such by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.  This iconic formation is a striking monolith rising above the surrounding countryside.  Powerful in its appearance – it can look dramatically different depending on the time of day or the weather in the area.

It is the subject of several controversies from its origin to its name.  Geologists agree that the tower is igneous rock, but exactly how it came to be – especially 1,200 feet above the surrounding valley – is the question.  However it originated, it has existed exactly as it is today since people first arrived here more than 10,000 years ago.

Several Indian nations have shared the area around the tower and have their own legends about its origin – and its name.  The Kiowa people say that children were playing on the grassy fields when one turned into a bear.  The other children were terrified and ran to the stump of a great tree.  They climbed upon the stump and it began to rise into the air.  The bear came after them rearing against the tree and scoring the bark with its claws – thus the columnar appearance of the tower.  This may also be the origin of the tower’s name – “Bear Lodge” – the English translation of a Lakota name (the Lakota’s were the dominate culture of the Black Hills in the 1850’s).  Many maps even from the early 1900’s refer to the butte as “Bear Lodge”.  However, in 1875 a geologic expedition resulted in an entry calling the place “bad god’s tower”, believed to be an erroneous translation from the Indians.  This was modified to “Devil’s Tower”.  Despite all the maps and sources labeling the formation as Bear Lodge, the new name of Devil’s Tower stuck.

Devils Tower – an ominous sight.

Doesn’t it just look like a huge tree stump that could have been ‘scored’ by an angry bear?!?

If you look close you can see two of the approximately 5,000 climbers who come annually from all over the world to climb the massive columns.

We decided not to climb – but to go have lunch instead. We had a nice view though.

All of the above diversions is how we turn 4 hours of travel into 8-9 hours.  But – as is said – it is not the destination it is the journey!  And we do enjoy the journey;-)

So – Casper, WY finally appeared on the horizon and became ‘home’ for the next two days.  Time for some of the mundane chores, but a round of golf was also inserted into the agenda.  The Casper Muni course provided some beautiful views, more wildlife and some pretty challenging golf (at least for us!).

Yep – that’s snow in the background!!

These guys didn’t seem at all bothered by our presence.

G had a staring contest with this Robin.

Although not spoken of frequently, there is a search in every town to find good local restaurants – especially a good Thai or Chinese restaurant.  And we found a gem here in Casper!!  Dsasumo Thai is well worth a visit if you are ever in the neighborhood;-)

And so we go – from the first National Monument, Devils Tower (1906), to the first National Park, Yellowstone (1872), where we will be meeting daughter Heather and her family next.  Both of these wonders are in Wyoming and both provide stunning sights!

E & G – blown away yet again by an awesome National Monument.