Day 1 - Memorial Day Weekend Adventure

Preface:

It has been quite a while since Francesca and I wrote a blog on our page—so much turmoil has unfolded over the past few years of our marriage (mostly due to COVID), riddled with a plethora of challenges and obstacles. We will write at great length about this in the future when the time is right. As of now, we are in a much better place and are hoping to share some of our adventures moving forward. I’d love to write about some of our past experiences and adventures once we’ve fully healed and recovered. This feels like a great start down a new path. I’m mindful, however, that sharing the “good” AND “bad” times are critically important in this journey of life because it’s not always easy and it’s okay to share the rough times…it makes the wonderful times that much sweeter. With that, I’d like to share our most recent adventure on Memorial weekend.

Day 1

I sat in my chair, anxiously watching the clock for 8:00 AM—we had to hit the road, after all. The clock finally hit its mark and we loaded our vehicle and departed. The air was crisp, and the sun was already beaming, splashing its radiant rays of light on our skin like waves on the Florida beaches. We navigated through the stressful, chaotic noises and nuances of the cities of Denver and Cheyenne as we traveled north. After breaking through the cities, a rush of peace flooded over me. Our destination was Devil’s Tower in northeast Wyoming and all that stood before us were open fields, the sounds of the wind, and the open road.

As we made our way closer to the base of Devils Tower, the terrain began taking on a different form -- a form speckled with lush greenery, beautiful trees, and the Rocky Mountains. I was enamored by the views and couldn’t take my eyes off the sites through the window. I joked with Francesca that my likely death will be at the wheel while I soak in these natural gifts. We took a left and headed down a road that snaked through the rolling hills. I knew we were nearing the highlight of our day—Devils Tower. Soon enough, we topped a hill and there it stood in all its glory, all 867 feet of this magical National Monument. It was as if it was a beacon of hope situated in an open field. I would later learn it was just that for many of our native and tribal members in the area.

I couldn’t contain my excitement. I justified to Francesca stopping at a pull-off nearby so I could capture distant photos of the Monument. There was a light haze in the air, but it did not take away from the magnificence of Devils Tower. We continued through the winding road until we approached the entrance. Normally, it would cost to enter Devils Tower but since I had my Annual Park Pass, we were able to pass through without paying the entrance fee. At this point, I decided to roll the windows down to allow the sweet breeze to pass through the vehicle, fully immersing ourselves in the nature outside. We passed a field of prairie dogs squeaking and barking, perked up on their hind legs looking as cute as ever. Our journey continued as we arrived at the Devils Tower visitor center at the base of the sacred monolith. After walking through the visitor center, taking a bathroom break, and collecting my stamp for my National Park Passport book, we went outside. The sun shined through the Ponderosa Pine trees and we stood in awe admiring the size of the Tower.

We decided to take the hiking trail around the base of Devils Tower. It’s an easy, paved path that is fit for everyone. There’s really no elevation gain, and its primary purpose is to educate you with podiums along the path about the history of how Devils Tower came to be millions of years ago. At the beginning of the path, there is a nice piece of information that explains how sacred the Tower is. Dotted in trees surrounding the mountain, you will find “prayer cloths” everywhere. These prayer cloths are protected and sacred (https://www.nps.gov/deto/learn/historyculture/sacredsite.htm). There was a stillness at this beginning juncture of the trail that set the tone for the walk around the Monument. Along the trail, there were gorgeous views of vast landscapes and a variety of different perspectives of Devils Tower. There was something so calming about this giant rock situated in the middle of rolling hills. We also noticed a pair of rock climbers going up the side of the Tower, which was a sight to see! In order to climb, you must register beforehand (https://www.nps.gov/deto/planyourvisit/climbing.htm). We wrapped up our hike and departed the legendary site. We passed by the fields of prairie dog colonies once again and bid farewell to this wonderful National Park site.

Our drive continued East as we made our way toward South Dakota. The rolling hills and open fields were serene simply for being. Some would say it was “empty” out there, but the reality is that there was so much beauty we could see (and not see). We crossed the border of SD and decided to stop and eat dinner in Spearfish, SD at Killian’s – a nice pub with great outdoor seating. After a sunset dinner, we hopped in the car and made our way through Spearfish Canyon. Darkness was washing over the sky quickly, so we did not have the time to soak in all the sites of the canyon, but we did pass a couple of waterfalls and a hidden gem of a lodge where people were drinking, socializing, playing outside games, and enjoying the benefits of life. It was a welcoming sight to behold. My GPS led us to a dirt road, which seemed a bit odd, but I trusted the device, albeit a bit reluctantly. We passed a herd of elk along the way and eventually arrived at the main road.

We finally arrived at our resting place for the night, a traditional Bed & Breakfast (B&B) run by a retired Air Force Veteran and his wife. It was the cutest little spot with a restaurant and little community attached. The couple made us feel very welcome at Sweetgrass Inn B&B, showed us to our room, and took our breakfast order for the next day. It was a special spot in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We were excited for sleep and for our adventure the next day visiting Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and Crazy Horse Memorial.