I had hoped to be in Wyoming longer to see a bit more of the eastern area of the state. However, with all the repair downtime combined with our change in plans to head back east to help our daughter with her pre wedding events, we have had to cram in a lot in a very the short amount of time while here in Rapid City SD. So today I told Sharon get ready for a long day and a long drive…
Our target was Devils Tower in Wyoming, a bucket list item for me. I have always regretted not visiting the tower when I lived in Rapid City. Along the 200 plus mile loop we will see many other places where I used to “play.”
Our first stop was in Spearfish SD a town I spent some time in but the real treat there is Spearfish Canyon (especially n the fall) but we will see that on the way back. Our second stop was to see the famed Sturgis SD where all the bikers in America, or so it seems, will descend upon in a mere few weeks for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally starting August 2nd. This town sure has changed since I was last here in the mid-70’s…. many, many more mega-bars!
We left Sturgis to enter Wyoming once again and after a nice scenic drive we had our first glimpse at the “Extra-terrestrial” Devils Tower. There was a short line into the park and we drove the three miles up to the trailhead where we luckily scored a parking spot. We donned our hiking boots and although I wanted to do the 2.8 mile lower loop around Devil’s Tower we opted for the 1.9 mile upper loop due to the time. What a fabulous hike it was with great views from various angles of what is revered by the Lakota Indians as a spiritual place. We can see why after our hike…
Leaving Devil’s Tower we headed back east and stopped in Deadwood SD another town that has changed a lot but at least kept the old town feeling it always had. It is definitely a tourist centered town now with lots of shops and several casinos. We did take a small break to visit one casino and let’s just say we left a small donation to help support their economy.
From Deadwood we drove down Spearfish Canyon. What I like most about this place is the change from mostly Ponderosa Pine to species of fir and spruce typically found at higher elevations. We stopped at Bridal Veil Falls which we thought was apropos since our daughter was that day having her bridal portraits taken back in Raleigh NC.
Another long drive back into Rapid City and our day seeing lots of sights we stopped in at great little spot called Paddy O’Neill’s for their Sunday all-day half priced drafts. There we enjoyed a nice Deschutes Fresh Hopped IPA…. A perfect ending to an eventful day…
NOTE: We are in Wall South Dakota this morning but leave today for Fort Thompson SD for a couple of days…
Love that area. We did the walk around the tower..... a few years ago. Don't think we could do it now. Deadwood has changed so much since the first time we visited. We were disappointed. Liked it better when we more resembled the old western town. Enjoy Wall.
ReplyDeleteI liked it better too...
DeleteDid that tower walk back in May of 92 and with a bit of luck maybe I'll get to do it again in a couple months or so. Well at least the shorter one anyway. I do have photos from 92 but of course they are slides and I haven't looked at them for 25 years. Time for some new ones I guess. Yes, I still remember meeting you at Quartzsite a few years ago:))
ReplyDeleteIf you hae the gumption I would suggest the longer (less people) one of 2.8 miles... you won't regret it! Yes I remember too - hopefully our paths cross again soon...
DeleteDevil's Tower which I think should be called Bear's Lodge as the Lakota want, was a wonderful stop for us and I'd love to go back again and spend more time. Great pictures of it, thanks! We stupidly had never heard of Sturgis and drove through downtown in the motorhome towing Ruby the week before the rally. SO STUPID! Can't even imagine the changes you've seen in these places.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the time we drove through New Orleans and ended up at the tail of a parade... Hah!
DeleteThat's a cool pic of Sharon leaning on the Devils tower! We are so kicking ourselves for missing Devils Tower while we were in the area!
ReplyDeleteThe unknown is MonaLiza, there are no other choices when commenting :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and flashback for us:)
ReplyDeleteIt seems google decided not to support openID - "New comments can be posted either from a Google account or labeled as “Anonymous” on blogs that allow it."
ReplyDelete