May 22, 2017

We really enjoyed out little house in Rapid City. The owners were wonderful, treats, Black Hills book and other special touches. We left early this morning and first stopped at the Aladdin General Store.  This store has been around for about 100 years but is now going to be auctioned June 2.  The biggest problem I see is it is located in the town of Aladdin, population 15 but if anyone is interested in an out of the way store now is your chance.  After Aladdin we headed for Devils Tower. It is an amazing place. We hiked the 1.3 miles around the base when we arrived. We had our packed lunch before deciding to hike the 2.8 mile red cliff trail. We didn’t realize it but the hike goes from the base to the valley and back up to the base again. As we were well into the hike we noticed a storm cloud moving in rapidly. We picked up the pace until the last mile which went up and up and up. What a hike we did about 8 miles today. Finally stopped in Sheridan, WY for the night.  Dinner was at the hotel that Wild Bill Cody built and lived in for several years. Wyoming is a whole new land loaded with Antelope. Can’t wait for more adventures. Barb asked for more pictures so here they are.

Into Wyoming – the topography changes.

A straight road with a 65 mph speed limit.

Our first stop.

The general store.

The inside of the store.

Devils Tower first view.

Selfie – seems weird.

Devils Tower view.

Top detail.

Tower, base and rubble field.

Changes in direction of rock.

Another view.

Plant life in the area.

Grassy woods – quite different from the east coast.

Relaxing deer.

Part of the red cliff trail.

Views from the red cliff trail.

Rocky top.

Even the dead trees are red in this area.

The historic Sheridan Inn where we had dinner.

The original Buffalo Bill Bar.