Larry A. Smail's Blog

The Devil’s Tower

The Devil’s Tower is a great natural wonder to view. However, the smoke of distant forest fires had hazed over the area. This smoke caused a bluish hue over the tower. Regardless, we still had an opportunity to finally see this unique formation of nature.   

Devil’s Tower became America’s first national monument in 1906.  In recent times, the tower was used in the movie, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” In the movie, the United states government had built a place to meet with UFO landings on the top of the tower.

The Native Americans of the region treated the tower as a sacred object.                                                             

Later, we stopped at the U-Cross Ranch for a meal and horseback-riding. The ranch was a horse ranch, but, also, conducted organized hunting on the property. A ladies’ hunt for pronghorn antelope was in their future.

The people who were owning and working the ranch proved to be down-to-earth individuals. They were not political correct and that is always a positive in my way of thoughts.

Happy trails to you!

Laurie and others elected to go horse-back riding. I chose to walk about the ranch area and take photos. I enjoyed some quality time with an old-timer. (He was older than I am.)

I heard and saw the Eurasia Dove. This species of dove is larger than our native Mourning Dove. they, also have a distinct variance with their cooing. I witnessed a magpie perched on a wire too.  I am always seeking wildlife species to observe.