Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Day #8 Lead, Devils Tower, Prairie Dogs

We wished we could have stayed at the luxurious Fairfield Inn even longer. However, it was time to move on. Being from the Midwest and Hawaii, we found the tumbleweed that rolled our way endlessly fascinating.


Auntie Grace had never seen a lilac bush before so the trip would not have been complete until we found a wild bush to take a photo of and pluck a small sample of the blossoms to savor during the long road trip.


We stopped at Lead's Homestake Mining Company in South Dakota to learn all about gold mining and the famous Gold Rush.


Mom, Auntie Grace and KC tried their hand at panning for gold. KC liked playing with water. Auntie Grace was determined. Mom thought it was too much work for not much results.

Back in the minivan and we were on to Devils Tower, Wyoming.

Devils Tower was AWESOME!

I got this from the National Park website: "Why is it called Devils Tower? Some Indians called it Mato Tipila, meaning Bear Lodge. Other American Indian names include Bear’s Tipi, Home of the Bear, Tree Rock and Great Gray Horn. In 1875, on an expedition led by Col. Dodge, it is believed his interpreter misinterpreted the name to mean Bad God's Tower, later shortened to Devils Tower.".

Wikipedia has some really great information on Devils Tower which was featured in the movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

But what did KC love the most? Yup! The prairie dogs!
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19 comments:

  1. DinaJune 21, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    So many different adventures on one day, like from a different world.

    Now you have me humming that theme from Close Encounters.

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  2. DJanJune 21, 2011 at 2:38 AM

    I am totally amazed at how much you covered in such a
    short period of time, Kay. Panning for gold? I also think it's a lot of work for a little bit of return. Not very many people got rich that way. I wonder if that is where the phrase "panhandler" comes from: they used it to beg for money when they couldn't find any gold.

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  3. Great Grandma LinJune 21, 2011 at 2:45 AM

    fun the prairie dogs are protected species here in our part of utah. they burrow into golf courses and cemeteries and airports then have to be carefully removed to a new location...lol!

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  4. Kavita SahariaJune 21, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    My son loved the prairie dogs -both of us saw them for the first time.Interesting information regarding Devils Tower .The sky looks beautiful and deep blue in your posts,both today's and yesterday's.

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  5. Sylvia KJune 21, 2011 at 4:14 AM

    All of you seem to be having such a wonderful trip and I'm so happy you!! I love Devil's Tower! And I, too, think that it's awesome!! The prairie dogs are SO cute! Enjoy!!

    Sylvia

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  6. ayamlinJune 21, 2011 at 4:42 AM

    Hi Kay,
    when I was in junior high school, I saw prairie dogs and bisons' pictures in the English text book.
    it was about US.

    and thank you very much for teaching me about English!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJune 21, 2011 at 5:00 AM

    I would love to pan for gold. That would be so much fun. I, too, have never seen tumbleweed. Everybody looks like they are having a marvelous time!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sally WesselyJune 21, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    You post really illustrates how different the landscapes are where you live and where I live. I am well acquainted with both tumbleweeds and prairie dogs.

    It appears you all are really having a great time.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Linda ReederJune 21, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    We loved Devil's Tower too. It's just amazing the way it sits up there all alone. It is a sacred place to Native Americans.
    And that prairie dog town is fun too.

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  10. Kay L. DaviesJune 21, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    Not at all surprised KC liked the prairie dogs best! LOL
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

    ReplyDelete
  11. DeniseinVAJune 21, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    The Devil's Tower is a place I have always wanted to visit. Looks like you all had a great time here too. It's been fun traveling along through your photos.

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  12. KayJune 21, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    Linda: Yes, it is a sacred place. I wonder how Native Americans feel about people (mountain climbers) climbing all over it to the top.

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  13. Kay DennisonJune 21, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Fascinating!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJune 21, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    I enjoyed my look at the Crazy Horse Monument. I suspect it will never be completed by the same artist. But it is not a lot different from when we were there. As I recall they were working on the flat part to be the arm. I don't remember about how far they were on the face.

    It looks like you have had plenty of things to see. And your aunt might be interested to know that we have a "Korean" Lilac that is 6 feet tall and at least that thick through. It has some tiny blossoms in the spring.

    Here is a picture of the flowers. Now very big at all.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldmanlincolnphotography/5716171622/

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  15. ChristineJune 21, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    First I'm hearing of Devil's Tower, interesting sight.

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  16. Arkansas PattiJune 21, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    You are really taking advantage and seeing so much. I would love to see the Tetons and Devil's Tower but like KC, I would have to see the prairie dogs.

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  17. CloudiaJune 21, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    what a great road trip, Kay!


    Prairie dogs rock-




    Aloha from Honolulu :)

    Comfort Spiral

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  18. quillyJune 21, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    I just read all the posts I had missed. I was absolutely mesmerized by your photos. What incredible beauty. I have driven past Yellowstone several times. Obviously I need to make the time to stop.

    ReplyDelete
  19. jabblogJune 22, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Devil's Tower looks extraordinary but, like KC, it's the prairie dogs that fascinate me.

    ReplyDelete

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