While on a road trip this past September with some from friends in South Dakota, it was suggested that we take a side tour to see the USA’s first monument, the Devils Tower.
Sure, why not! It’s just one hundred miles of good road from Rapid City, South Dakota to Sundance, Wyoming.
We left early in the morning that dreary day and for the first hour all I could see was darkness and rain and the occasional 18-wheeler. Thank goodness for Google! Because we made the correct turns when we needed to and managed to pull over at a highway lookout just as the sun was breaking through the clouds…
Distant view of Bear Lodge Mountains with Devils Tower
What a lovely sight!
After that view, we were very excited for what lay ahead.
I never created the monolith with my mashed potatoes but that darn song with 5 notes from the 1977 blockbuster started playing in repeat in my head!
Unfortunately, the morning light was not good as we pulled into the parking lot.
Devils Tower overcast sky
The clouds broke away and we pressed onward and upwards in hopes of better light and perspective.
Devils Tower close up
There were a few brave hikers that passed us but then the rain started to fall heavily again, so we packed our gear and headed back to Rapid City.
Well, even though we were inside the park for less than 2 hours, we got our Close Encounter! 🙂
