Texan Gardener and Traveler: Trip to Devil's Tower, Wyoming

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picture for larger view

My niece and I finally made the trip to Devil's Tower. Plans were in the talking stage for a long time and due to my sister's injury (she is getting better) I was in Wyoming with time on my hands.

When we took off that morning, there was an over cast in Cheyenne and nothing unusual about that. Miles later, beautiful, ominous clouds were in our view for miles and miles. I took pictures because we had never seen this kind of cloud formation.

Things got a little wet and exciting about an hour later.
There is a picture of my niece and a lowered window.
We finally were rolling into the clouds and it was raining so hard the wipers could not keep up.
Fortunately, she had a beach towel in the back seat. (You see, the window is stuck in that position) I rolled the towel into a thick roll and she stuffed it into the space. Only a little damp before she got it settled.

The odd part about this adventure? We were listening to an audio book called A Walk in the Woods. A story of two hikers and their attempt to walk the Appalachean Trail that runs from 2180 miles from Georgia to Maine.
The reader was at the point where the two trekkers were soaked to the skin and descriptions of being wet. It seemed apropos to our view out the window(s).

Arrived finally at the ubiquitous pull out area with this sign. It is the "perfect" beginning of a trip into history.
Tourists aside, a person cannot help but think of why this place is here. Pictures do not quite capture the size of this tower and immense rock fall surrounding it. I am sure there is an explanation of how they chose the path they constructed. It is a bit steep at times but with perfect stopping places to take pictures and catch your breath.
I think my niece and I dawdled a bit more than necessary, but it really is a place to "think" of when it was discovered by the first Indians. What must they have thought?
There are numerous trees with colorful ribbons tied to them. This is, after all, a sacred space. I understand that the month of June has been deemed a time to honor the traditions of the various tribes that worship here by not walking the trail during the month.