Close Encounter of the Real Kind

As one travels west and north of Gillette, the landscape changes from the rolling dry grassland prairies to rugged, almost mountainous land of ponderosa pine, juniper and shrub oak. This is the western edge of the Black Hills. Several miles into this landscape one begins to catch glimpses of unusual rock outcroppings. Several sheer rock cliffs rise to the east of a dramatic 1200 foot rock outcropping known as Devils Tower. The name is terribly awkward, for this monolith would only be devilish to the superstitious and those who fear the nature of geology. The Indians call it “Bear Lodge” a much better name to go with the Kiowa legend of the five girls, while being chased by a giant bear, took refuge on the hill which began to rise from the land. As the hill rose higher the great bear clawed to get to the girls. The hill is said to have saved the girls, but it rose high, all the way to heaven, so they could not climb down; they are now immortalized in the five stars of the Pleiades.