Prairie Wind: Devil's Tower...or Another Win For The Grandparents

The Motel Squad had itchy feet after the Badlands and wanted to get on down the road. A request came from somewhere in the backseat. One of the Little Darlings had studied about Devil's Tower recently in school and wanted to know how far it was and if we could go there. Being a walking map, I knew instantly that it could be on our route and since the Great Spring Blizzard of 2017 was wreaking havoc in central Wyoming, we needed an excuse to go North anyway. In a few miles The Great Yellowstone Expedition of 2017 was crossing into The Great State of Wyoming and after stopping for the obligatory State Line photo we were well on our way to the Tower.

Leaving the Interstate always gives me pleasure. Turning into the backcountry gives a sense of freedom and the Spirit of the Wild is all about you. Well, at least for me it was, but the kids were excited to see something they had only seen in books. A worthwhile goal on this trip and not the last, I might add. The road climbs up through rolling hills and pine forests and seems to stretch on forever, but to their credit, not one asked how far or if we were there yet....wise choice. Cresting a hill, the Tower was visible in the distance and yes....one of them was watching for it and blurted out...There it is!!! A proud Papa and Grandma moment.

It was like seeing it for the first time all over through their eyes. Yes!

We went thru the gate and started the climb up to the tower and I knew a side road that gives great views of all sides of it, so down that road we went. It was like a can of biscuits busted when I put the car in park, and out the doors they went.

We spent a few hours at the Tower, driving to the base of it and watching climbers go up, viewing wildlife and just genuinely having a great time. I can say, with the exception of Yellowstone, it was my favorite stop.