July 19, 2012 Devil's Tower

This national monument was everything we'd hoped it would be. There is a paved 1.3 mile hiking path around the base, with plenty of shade and benches and signs. Good thing they paved the path - the base of this thing is one massive pile of boulders that have broken off.











The tower from a distance; people climbing it; and Nannie.













The first two photos include first Bubba, then both of us, to show how massive this thing is.











1: Two young men about to descend. 2: Parents of the young man in turquoise shirt, watching them come down. The mom and I are both slouching and resting our heads on the bench because it's easier to look up in that position. 3: Remains of one of the old wooden ladders that were used long ago to climb up.











Bubba smelling a Ponderosa Pine tree - and sure enough it smells like vanilla! A classic photo of the Tower and our Flag. And lastly - a prairie dog. Those things are everywhere out here!