It’s strange that though I was born in South Dakota and have traveled all over the Midwest, I’d never made it to Devils Tower in Wyoming, just across the border from Rapid City, SD.
Cue the “what a butte!” jokes, right? Rising almost 900 feet from its base, the tower formed 50 million years ago when molten magma was forced into sedimentary rock and cooled underground, about a mile and a half below the current surface. Over millions of years, erosion exposed the tower, bringing it above ground.
Devils Tower is its Anglo name, and it goes by several Native American names, but Bear Lodge is the most commonly known. Kiowa legend says eight siblings were playing when the one boy became a bear and chased his sisters to the stump of a huge tree, which spoke to them and told them to climb it. As they climbed, the stump rose high into the air, saving the girls from their bear brother, whose claws scored the bark and made the exterior columns. The seven sisters were then sent into the sky to become the Pleiades. (Such a beautiful story.)
Native Americans consider it a sacred, spiritual place, and prayer flags hang in the trees surrounding the tower.
Photos don’t convey its enormity, so I tried to use Mom for scale. The boulder fields surrounding the tower are remnants of columns that have cleaved off and fallen. I think I read that columns haven’t fallen since the beginning of recorded history, so probably no need to wear that helmet when you’re there. 🙂
In 1906 Teddy Roosevelt proclaimed Devils Tower the first National Monument under the then new Antiquities Act, so Wyoming is home to two National Park Service firsts – the other being Yellowstone, the first National Park. Thank you, Teddy.
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14 Comments
I’ve missed seeing your beautiful photographs…and these are stunning. Love the stories too.
Susan! Thanks for the kind words. It’s good to be back. 🙂
Love the photos and the history of Devils Tower to go with them. So happy that you are back with the blog and photography. And I will always go with you on these adventures when I can.
Mom, you are the best and I’m always so glad you’re willing to join me. We do have fun together.
So, lovely to see you back on the road. Your photos are inspiring as are you. Stay well and enjoy!!
Oksana! Thanks so much for the kind words. I’m back home. 🙂
Stunning photos–looking forward to more posts of your adventures on the road.
Thanks so much, Beth! Feels great to be getting back to it. 🙂
Always a good idea to use Mom for scale! Love the Kiowa story!
John, Mom is good for so many things! Thanks for the comment.
I love to see nature through your eyes. Glad you are back!
Thanks so much, Delores! I’m happiest out in the world, exploring and shooting. 🙂
Beautiful! But that’s no surprise. When one (YOU!) approaches life with optimism and beauty, the photos just reflect that perspective. Love it!
Tamie, that is so kind, thank you! There is beauty everywhere. 🙂