Our time at Devils Tower has come to an end. I encourage you to personally visit the tower at your earliest convenience.
A most sought after license plate for collectors worldwide is the Wyoming edition. Ever since I have lived in Wyoming, the plate has featured Devils Tower alongside the iconic Steamboat bucking horse. Seeing the tower in a photograph or on a license plate doesn’t do it justice. It is a personal experience you need to savor in life, not in a picture.
Granted photos of Devils Tower are spectacular but it’s impossible for a picture to capture the feeling you have when you’re lying under the moonlit sky with every star in the heavens illuminating the tower.
As a matter of fact, Jamie and I will be returning to Devils Tower after I perform at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, WY. We have a little unfinished business to tend to. We have arranged to climb the tower with expert Frank Sanders. Frank is a legend in Crook County, Wyoming. Frank has climbed Devils Tower 365 consecutive days!
We were able to spend a little time with Frank this weekend and with the encouragement of Matt Driskill we are entered in the rock climbing class. O, did I mention neither Jamie nor I have ever climbed anything higher than the bed of a pickup truck?
Frank owns and operates Devils Tower Lodge and Wilderness Climbing making it possible for a novice like myself and avid climbers alike to reach the top.
You can bet I will be blogging about this adventure. I am even going to try and wear a helmet cam so I can upload video with the blog.
Before I sign off this Memorial Day, let’s not forget the reason for our extended weekend. Yes, to some today was simply a day off of work but to others it’s an opportunity to honor those who have served our nation - many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
I want to send a personal ‘thank you’ to the troops serving outside the wire Memorial Day 09. Likewise, to my uncle Ronnie Sparks who served in Vietnam and a longtime family friend, Mr. EJ Hosey who marched with Patton in World War II and my Wyoming neighbor Mr. Smedley who survived the attacks on the USS Intrepid in WWII.
The United States will remain the land of the free so long as it is home of the brave.
Forever West,
Jeremy
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Back in the Saddle Again
Saturday , Jamie and I were able to ride horseback over a portion of the 10,000+ acre ranch the Driskill family homesteaded in the late 1800s.
I don’t get the opportunity to ride much anymore but I sure do enjoy it when I do. In the last few years my riding has been rodeo parades, filming movies or photo shoots. But nothing takes me back to my teenage years like riding horses.
Jamie was even up for the adventure. I’m pretty proud of her. We crossed the Belle Fourche River twice and once jumped the “Red Canyon.” Well, I told Jamie we could call it the Red Canyon but it was really more like a red clay ditch. Nonetheless, she did a great job keeping up with Matt and me as we rode in the backcountry. Along the way, we spooked a turkey, several deer and even a red fox.
Devils Tower is spectacular from the road but seeing it from the backcountry on horseback is simply euphoric. If perchance you are looking for a perfect wedding site, keep in mind Devils Tower.
I’m not sure how many acres we covered or even how long we were out. But the one thing I do know is as we were riding home the sun was setting over our nation’s first national monument. As the American flag gently waved in the cool mountain breeze all three horses stopped and faced the setting sun. It was inspiring to take in that view one more time.
As night fell we thought it would be a good idea to stoke the campfire, make smores and roast hotdogs. And yes, we did it in that order. If you have never made a smore follow these simple directions:
Build a fire
Find a small tree branch (or wire clothes hanger)
Stick a couple of marshmallows on the stick and roast over fire
Break a graham cracker in half
Break a Hershey chocolate bar in half
Sandwich the roasted marshmallows & chocolate between the graham crackers
Eat
Email me simply saying “Thank You!”
Sitting around the fire I couldn’t help but think about days gone by. As a kid my parents would load up the vehicle and search out a campground. Many a vacation was spent under the stars roasting hot dogs, building smores and making memories.
Living in this hurry up, hustle & bustle world, I want to encourage you to slow down long enough to make memories your children will always cherish. Truly, it is the small things in life I hold dear – family time, a good saddle, campfires, and being immersed in nature.
Forever West,
Jeremy
I don’t get the opportunity to ride much anymore but I sure do enjoy it when I do. In the last few years my riding has been rodeo parades, filming movies or photo shoots. But nothing takes me back to my teenage years like riding horses.
Jamie was even up for the adventure. I’m pretty proud of her. We crossed the Belle Fourche River twice and once jumped the “Red Canyon.” Well, I told Jamie we could call it the Red Canyon but it was really more like a red clay ditch. Nonetheless, she did a great job keeping up with Matt and me as we rode in the backcountry. Along the way, we spooked a turkey, several deer and even a red fox.
Devils Tower is spectacular from the road but seeing it from the backcountry on horseback is simply euphoric. If perchance you are looking for a perfect wedding site, keep in mind Devils Tower.
I’m not sure how many acres we covered or even how long we were out. But the one thing I do know is as we were riding home the sun was setting over our nation’s first national monument. As the American flag gently waved in the cool mountain breeze all three horses stopped and faced the setting sun. It was inspiring to take in that view one more time.
As night fell we thought it would be a good idea to stoke the campfire, make smores and roast hotdogs. And yes, we did it in that order. If you have never made a smore follow these simple directions:
Build a fire
Find a small tree branch (or wire clothes hanger)
Stick a couple of marshmallows on the stick and roast over fire
Break a graham cracker in half
Break a Hershey chocolate bar in half
Sandwich the roasted marshmallows & chocolate between the graham crackers
Eat
Email me simply saying “Thank You!”
Sitting around the fire I couldn’t help but think about days gone by. As a kid my parents would load up the vehicle and search out a campground. Many a vacation was spent under the stars roasting hot dogs, building smores and making memories.
Living in this hurry up, hustle & bustle world, I want to encourage you to slow down long enough to make memories your children will always cherish. Truly, it is the small things in life I hold dear – family time, a good saddle, campfires, and being immersed in nature.
Forever West,
Jeremy
Saturday, May 23, 2009
First-Time Close Encounters
Devils Tower is more than I anticipated. The Tower has a way of stirring something inside you that until you experience it you can’t fully comprehend the majesty.
This morning Jamie and I saddled-up the bicycles and peddled the three-mile stretch between the park entrance and the visitor’s center.
It’s a moderate ride in and quite literally it’s uphill the entire time. However, I found it was rather enjoyable. On our ride we spotted deer, turkey, and even got a up-close look at Devils Tower most famous species – the black-tailed prairie dog.
My goodness, as soon as we entered the park we were greeted by 1,000 plus of these little guys. On the map the area is called “Prairie Dog Town.” I tell you, the Prairie Dog President must have been in town today because all the dogs were out.
The real treat was watching a turkey strut for fifteen minutes as he tried to impress a nearby hen. We ended up leaving the bikes in the ditch, walking in the forest a bit, and taking a seat on a fallen tree in order to enjoy the show. The gobbler would sound a few notes, fan its feathers and strut around until the lady had no choice but to notice him. It reminded me of some of my cowboy friends from my early rodeo days.
Well we made the 1400 ft incline and couldn’t believe how massive the tower appeared. From afar, Devils Tower looked big but standing right under it, that emotional stirring really starts to happen. The rock tower doesn’t fit into its surroundings. It’s not like there are several smaller rock towers and then the grand tower. Devils Tower erupts from rolling hills and looms over trees that are a part of the Black Hills National Forest.
There are at least three scientific theories regarding the origin of the tower and at least three more legends. You can read all about those theories as you walk along the Tower Trail. I prefer to side with the Native American’s tale. Legend has it (and I paraphrase) that seven young girls were playing on a small boulder in the distance from the tribe’s camp and a big grizzly bear spotted them. The young girls, scared for their lives, began to pray that the rock would save them. The Great Spirit answered their prayers and the boulder grew and grew, taking the young girls into the sky where they remain today as a group of seven small stars - The Pleiades.
The only question now is how did the tower ridges form? Continuing with the legend, the ridges are the result of that big grizzly scratching and clawing his way toward the young girls to no avail.
It is easy to make a full day inside the park’s perimeter. We only scheduled a half-day before we were off in search of the Vore Buffalo Jump.
In route we came across Aladdin, WY - population 15. Throw a one on the front of the population and you get the age of the town general store (mercantile), which at 115 years old is still open. East of Aladdin, we found what we had been searching. During the construction of I-90, the Vore Buffalo Jump was discovered. Turns out, this is a natural sinkhole providing an exceptional means for the Native Americans to harvest buffalo in numbers hard to comprehend. Ranging from the 1500s to the 1800s at least five native tribes used this sinkhole to trap and then harvest buffalo.
Although limited digs have taken place, bones of an estimated 20,000 buffalo have been found buried and perfectly preserved along with countless Native American artifacts. Despite being directly off of I-90, I would guess not even 1% of the passersby stop to experience Vore Buffalo Jump.
Well it’s suppertime at the KOA and I need to get going. We arrived back just in time to fire up the grill, help start the community campfire, and set up for the nightly showing of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” - a movie shot right here where I’m sitting now! No wonder Devils Tower KOA has earned three consecutive KOA Presidential Awards. They have free WiFi, campfires, movies, playgrounds, and a priceless view of Devils Tower. What else could a tourist ask for?
Forever West,
Jeremy
This morning Jamie and I saddled-up the bicycles and peddled the three-mile stretch between the park entrance and the visitor’s center.
It’s a moderate ride in and quite literally it’s uphill the entire time. However, I found it was rather enjoyable. On our ride we spotted deer, turkey, and even got a up-close look at Devils Tower most famous species – the black-tailed prairie dog.
My goodness, as soon as we entered the park we were greeted by 1,000 plus of these little guys. On the map the area is called “Prairie Dog Town.” I tell you, the Prairie Dog President must have been in town today because all the dogs were out.
The real treat was watching a turkey strut for fifteen minutes as he tried to impress a nearby hen. We ended up leaving the bikes in the ditch, walking in the forest a bit, and taking a seat on a fallen tree in order to enjoy the show. The gobbler would sound a few notes, fan its feathers and strut around until the lady had no choice but to notice him. It reminded me of some of my cowboy friends from my early rodeo days.
Well we made the 1400 ft incline and couldn’t believe how massive the tower appeared. From afar, Devils Tower looked big but standing right under it, that emotional stirring really starts to happen. The rock tower doesn’t fit into its surroundings. It’s not like there are several smaller rock towers and then the grand tower. Devils Tower erupts from rolling hills and looms over trees that are a part of the Black Hills National Forest.
There are at least three scientific theories regarding the origin of the tower and at least three more legends. You can read all about those theories as you walk along the Tower Trail. I prefer to side with the Native American’s tale. Legend has it (and I paraphrase) that seven young girls were playing on a small boulder in the distance from the tribe’s camp and a big grizzly bear spotted them. The young girls, scared for their lives, began to pray that the rock would save them. The Great Spirit answered their prayers and the boulder grew and grew, taking the young girls into the sky where they remain today as a group of seven small stars - The Pleiades.
The only question now is how did the tower ridges form? Continuing with the legend, the ridges are the result of that big grizzly scratching and clawing his way toward the young girls to no avail.
It is easy to make a full day inside the park’s perimeter. We only scheduled a half-day before we were off in search of the Vore Buffalo Jump.
In route we came across Aladdin, WY - population 15. Throw a one on the front of the population and you get the age of the town general store (mercantile), which at 115 years old is still open. East of Aladdin, we found what we had been searching. During the construction of I-90, the Vore Buffalo Jump was discovered. Turns out, this is a natural sinkhole providing an exceptional means for the Native Americans to harvest buffalo in numbers hard to comprehend. Ranging from the 1500s to the 1800s at least five native tribes used this sinkhole to trap and then harvest buffalo.Although limited digs have taken place, bones of an estimated 20,000 buffalo have been found buried and perfectly preserved along with countless Native American artifacts. Despite being directly off of I-90, I would guess not even 1% of the passersby stop to experience Vore Buffalo Jump.
Well it’s suppertime at the KOA and I need to get going. We arrived back just in time to fire up the grill, help start the community campfire, and set up for the nightly showing of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” - a movie shot right here where I’m sitting now! No wonder Devils Tower KOA has earned three consecutive KOA Presidential Awards. They have free WiFi, campfires, movies, playgrounds, and a priceless view of Devils Tower. What else could a tourist ask for?
Forever West,
Jeremy
Friday, May 22, 2009
Memorial Day Weekend, Here We Come
My summer rodeo run is merely three weeks away and there’s no better way to clear my mind and finish prepping for a grueling schedule than to travel Wyoming. Highlights of the trail will include the College Nationals Finals (Casper, WY), Cheyenne Frontier Days (Cheyenne, WY) and the Santa Barbara (CA) stop of the PBR tour.But today, Jamie and I are off to the northeast corner of Wyoming in search of Devils Tower National Monument, the first national monument in the USA!
Since starting the Blogging Bullfighter, I have wanted to visit Devils Tower and capture my experience in words. However, don’t merely take my word for it, get out and experience Wyoming yourself.
Thanks to Matt and Kathi Driskill of Devils Tower KOA Campground this trip has become a reality.
We left Cheyenne at 1pm yesterday and began the easy 300-mile trip to Devils Tower. I bet we counted over 500 Antelope between Cheyenne and Gillette.
In my eight years living in Wyoming, I have never been east of Gillette. To my surprise, the plains faded in the background as we entered plush, green, rolling hills and acre upon acre covered with towering pine trees. We spotted at least fifteen turkeys and a dozen mule deer. You gotta love that.
The GPS showed 20 miles remaining and it was nearing 7pm. W were making good time despite three pit stops along the way to include a FedEx drop box. You want to talk about fun, try pulling a 33-foot fifth wheel through a FedEx drive-in.
Out of nowhere Devils Tower appeared! I have heard others remarks regarding the same thing but until that moment I didn’t fully understand what they meant. The hills roll, a deep red-rock canyon is winds its way along the roadside, and then “BAM” a massive neck of chiseled rock towering to the sky.
It’s obvious we have arrived. Our home for the next several days is at the beautiful Devils Tower KOA Campground at the base of the national monument. I’m positive I will scout things out and report my findings.
Hey, do yourself a favor. Get off the internet, pack up the vehicle and travel Wyoming…you won’t regret it!
Forever West,
Jeremy
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