We Find Our Jeep, Visit a Sacred Lodge, and Catch Up With Good Friends

Wednesday, July 27 - Sunday, July 31, 2016
Moorcroft, Wyoming

At 196 miles, Wednesday's drive to Moorcroft, WY, is longer than usual, but on  I-90 it's an easy drive. The area around Sheridan and Buffalo is particularly pretty, and I remind myself we want to stay here next time through.

We're in Moorcroft because it's half-way between the two things we want to do in the area - see friends and see Bear Lodge.  Rangeland Motel and RV does nothing more than give us a place to park with FHUs and 50 amp. And it does this quite well. Another set-up where you back into your site from the city street, the gravel pad is level, the site and area clean, and the owners friendly and helpful. As we end up staying a couple extra nights, I'm glad we like it.

It rains overnight and is still cloudy with more rain in the forecast for Thursday. The area is parched, and the rain is very welcome - you can hear the earth sucking it in!

I have been checking for used Jeeps along our route for some time now. There is one in Sioux Falls I'm interested in, but since they usually sell pretty fast, I'm not convinced it will still be there when we are. So I'm excited to see one available in Gillette, WY, just up the road where our friends live. With the weather iffy for outdoor activity, we head for the "big city."

Meeting all our criteria except a data port in the music system, we test drive the Wrangler and decide it's a good fit for us. We're happy with the deal, and they will move the towbar and brake-assist from the Cherokee for us. 

Unfortunately the plate won't fit the Wrangler so they order us a new one to be shipped overnight. They can do the install on Monday if we can wait a couple days. We can. 

Piper, the new member of the family

Just driving through town with the air conditioner on, and not worrying about whether it's going to stall in an intersection, is such a relief that I'm even more thrilled with our decision.

Reading the manual on the way home Bill makes a discovery - and we listen to our music on one of our thumb drives plugged into the data port in the center console :-))))))

Friday morning we get up and out early, hoping to beat the expected much hotter temps. We're going to see another bucket list place - Bear Lodge (Devils Tower National Monument). 

Everyone warns you that seeing it from the highway is amazing, and that's an understatement. There isn't anything else that looks like that, and I can understand why the native peoples have held it sacred for so long. The giant bear claw marks are visible for miles - hundreds of years ago, what else could have made those marks?

Known as Bear Lodge to the Lakota

Our hopes for a light crowd are dashed as we sit in line to get in the park. The parking lot is nearly full, but a few people are leaving and we find a spot in the dirt.

We're taking the Tower Trail which makes a 1.3 mile loop around the base of the tower. It is very popular. 

Several times we stop along the paved path to let noisy hikers pass by. It's wonderful that kids and teenagers are experiencing this wonderful place, but they sure miss a lot by just looking and not listening.

Interpretive signs along the trail provide geological and cultural information

Colorful prayer cloths 

Looking in the crack for the elevator button

Note the (lack of) shoes on her climbing partner

Nope

See the climbers? No? Because it's a million miles up there!

"Around back" the trail comes out of the forest with beautiful views across a green valley. It is a pretty spot, although without the shade of the trees it is getting very hot, very quickly.

Cattle country

Beautiful views of the Black Hills National Forest

Smaller rock formations

Three distinct layers are more visible from this side

As the trail climbs again we're grateful to be back in the shade. The crowd thins some and we enjoy the bird song and slight breeze in the trees. A little cutie named Violet is getting a piggy-back ride from her daddy. A couple looks through binoculars for climbers. The tower looks very different on this side.

After 40 million years sometimes you just need to take a break

Flat formations along the base

With no wildflowers in bloom, bright leaves provide a spot of color on the forest floor

Back at the parking lot both the temps and the crowds have increased significantly - I'm very glad we got here early. The tiny visitors' center is packed as expected and I make a quick walk through before joining Bill and Tessa.

Bear Lodge is a unique and amazing place. I need to come back when the noise and chaotic energy of vacationing crowds are gone. I miss the spiritual connection that I know is here.

The legend of Bear Lodge

If it hadn't been filmed in a sound studio, that famous movie space ship would have landed where the VC stands

We were going to walk the South Side Trail for a different view of the tower, but it's too hot. Instead we make a stop at Prairie Dog Town, and then at the Day Use Area. I can't leave without seeing the Circle of Sacred Smoke monument.

Over a hundred prairie dogs live in this town of burrows

A quick pose 

The Circle of Sacred Smoke is a beautiful piece made by Junkuy Muto. One of three sculptures designed as symbols of peace, the others are at the Vatican and at Buddha's birth place. Of all possible locations in the world, Muto believed these sacred places most speak to his vision. Muto is searching for four additional sites to complete his work. 

For the Lakota this is the site where White Buffalo Calf Woman gave her message to the people. Ceremonies are still held here throughout the year.

Good heart and mind required

Polished and raw marble from Italy, standing on rock from Crazy Horse Monument

I have never had allergies, but something here is making my nose run and my eyes water. As much as I want to spend more time, I'm too miserable to stay. 

Piper's first day trip - pretty special

There is still a line of cars coming in as we leave the park. We drive eight miles to the tiny town of Hulet for lunch, then return home.

Lunch in Wyoming is often under a deer head - Ponderosa Cafe, Hulet

Saturday afternoon we are joining friends Polly and Buddy for dinner at her house, and we hang out at home until it's time to head for Gillette.

Polly and I graduated together in 1973, and is a long-time friend of both Bill and I. She met Buddy in Gillette a few years ago and he has become one of the family after joining us at the annual reunions.

We enjoy great conversation and a delicious meal, and way too soon our evening is over. We love it when our route takes us to see good friends!

Polly and Buddy - love these two :-)))

Polly's brother Coy is also a good friend - his place in the SoCal desert is where we took the motorhome on it's maiden voyage. He lived in the small town of Newcastle, about 45 minutes south, for 25 years. We take a day trip to check it out.

The pretty canyon where Coy lived

Lots of green along Hwy 16

Large clouds

Small flowers 

Old brick buildings line the main street

Hotel Antlers - of course

Built in 1867

The Weston County Courthouse is beautiful, but I fail to take a photo.

From flickriver.com

It's a warm and windy day, a nice day for a drive, and we enjoy just being out seeing the sights - in a strong-running, air-conditioned Jeep!

Monday we're back to the dealership to get Piper ready for towing.

For those who aren't fans of the cable television show Orange is the New Black, Piper is the main character :-).