Wednesday, September 05, 2007 . 3:14 AM
Devilicious - Sundance, Wyoming
31 august 2007, friday
6th stop: SUNDANCE, Wyoming
Their decision to go to Wyoming was last minute. While at the Jewel Cave, one of them saw a mile marker board that says the Devil's Tower is about 100 miles away from Custer - which isn't really far? Two hour drive maybe?
"Since we've already come this far, might as well!" declared the one with Oakleys.
Needless to say, the geography student was all hyped up and so was the travel bug.
"I remember seeing a picture of the Devil's Tower in my sec 1 geography textbook!" commented one.
So they went on to the next neighbouring state, Wyoming (one of the 2 geographically squarish states in the US) to Sundance, the gateway to the 1st national monument of the US. The Devil's Tower.
Here's what I call life size Wyoming's wildlife!
Legend has it that there was this Lakota girl running for her life from a crazy hungry grizzly bear. The girl met talking plants and trees that led her to a stony platform. The rock beneath her told her to keep still because the rock is growing upwards from the ground. The rock outgrew the bear's height and there, the helpless bear started scratching the rock furiously, leaving straight defined furrows as seen here in the picture.
But that's just good old folklore. In fact, how the Devil's Tower came about is still a mystery. There were 3 postulates. Weathering of surface rocks, leaving the hardbed rock (devil's tower) intact. That must have taken million of years. A second postulate is that it is a volcanic plug. The third I can't remember.The tower also attracts many visitors for its climbing activities. However, there was some hooha about making the tower a place for recreation as this tower is considered sacred to many American Indians (Lakotas are the American Indians that live in this region). Thus, the tower is closed to all climbing activities in June so the Lakotas could perform their rituals. See, prayer "towels" tied to trees... See, and no touch please!
say cheeze!
7th stop: INTERIOR, South Dakota
The hot midday sun did not deter the adventurous four from carrying on their journey. It was another 3 hour or so drive to Interior, a small town of population 67 and also the gateway to the Badlands!!
The bizarre and colourful bands of the Badlands are indeed mysteriously beautiful. You'll probably be quite surprise that this seemingly lifeless and desolate land is teeming with life. The four saw wild rabbits, prairie dogs (awwww so cute!) and many "BEWARE OF RATTLESNAKES" signposts. The ridges, canyons, pyramids and knobs have been carved out by ruthless winds and water, making it indescribably picturesque.
fun with shadows....
lovin the badlands.... actually, they aren't that bad afterall.
with their green Chervolet at Yellow Mounds Overlook.
dash
say cheeze! 7th stop: INTERIOR, South DakotaThe hot midday sun did not deter the adventurous four from carrying on their journey. It was another 3 hour or so drive to Interior, a small town of population 67 and also the gateway to the Badlands!!
The bizarre and colourful bands of the Badlands are indeed mysteriously beautiful. You'll probably be quite surprise that this seemingly lifeless and desolate land is teeming with life. The four saw wild rabbits, prairie dogs (awwww so cute!) and many "BEWARE OF RATTLESNAKES" signposts. The ridges, canyons, pyramids and knobs have been carved out by ruthless winds and water, making it indescribably picturesque.fun with shadows....
lovin the badlands.... actually, they aren't that bad afterall.
with their green Chervolet at Yellow Mounds Overlook.
dash
