Our biggest sidetrip from our base in Hill City was into Wyoming! Devil's Tower looked interesting, so westward ho for us.
But it was not our first stop.
Shortly after the state border, there was a state visitor's center, as there so often is. It offered brochures, maps, rest rooms, and free cold water, much appreciated on a hot August day. But there were also signs there for the Vore Buffalo Jump. We had no idea what it was, but it sounded interesting, and besides, buffalo!
It turned out to be absolutely fascinating. The Native Americans had no or few weapons capable of killing bison, so basically they would chase a herd over a cliff. Yes, it sounds brutal. The exhibit at the bottom of the cliff was incredible. They are still excavating there, after nearly 50 years. The Native Americans used almost every single bit of the bison for something: food, clothing, housing, utensils, just everything.
Then we headed west again, to Devil's Tower. You can see it from far off and it just looks more and more majestic and incredible the closer you get.
There are also a lot of prairie dog colonies on the road there!
The Tower is 867 feet or 264 meters high, and truly awe-inspiring.
See what looks like an ant crawling up in that last picture? That is a person, climbing up!
Another wonder of nature which I can only very highly recommend.
Our other outing on another day was to Reptile Gardens, in Rapid City.
They are best known for the giant tortoises, which are, yes, extremely big and extremely slow.
They used to allow children to ride on the tortoises' backs, but fortunately no longer do that.
They had other reptiles, too.
We had not expected to see alligators!
They also had a large and thriving prairie dog colony, which was my favourite here.
After our wonderful time here, we flew back to D.C., and then drove to the Tappahannock, Va., area, for a family gathering. My brother and Lucas joined us there, and a day or two later, we flew home.
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