Close Encounters Connection
In a remote area of Wyoming there is a sacred and spiritual place. From a distance, it resembles a plateau that stands well above the surrounding landscape. As you get closer, it begins to call to you.
Many Native American tribes from all over America consider the site of Devils Tower to be sacred. The Lakota Indians call it Mato Tipila, which means “Bear Lodge.” Other names from other American Indian tribes are Grey Horn Butte, He Hota Paha, Bear Rock or Bear Mountain, Tree Rock, and Grizzly Bear Lodge.
The Legend of its creation goes like this…..
Before the Kiowa came south they were camped on a stream in the far north where there were a great many bears, many of them. One day, seven little girls were playing at a distance from the village and were chased by some bears. The girls ran toward the village and the bears were just about to catch them when the girls jumped on a low rock, about three feet high. One of the girls prayed to the rock, "Rock take pity on us, rock save us!" The rock heard them and began to grow upwards, pushing the girls higher and higher. When the bears jumped to reach the girls, they scratched the rock, broke their claws, and fell on the ground.
The rock rose higher and higher, the bears still jumped at the girls until they were pushed up into the sky, where they now are, seven little stars in a group (The Pleiades). In the winter, in the middle of the night, the seven stars are right over this high rock. When the people came to look, they found the bears' claws, turned to stone, all around the base.No Kiowa living has ever seen this rock, but the old men have told about it - it is very far north where the Kiowa used to live. It is a single rock with scratched sides, the marks of the bears' claws are there yet, rising straight up, very high. There is no other like it in the whole country, there are no trees on it, only grass on top. The Kiowa call this rock "Tso-aa", a tree rock, possibly because it grew tall like a tree. I love sharing this story with my second graders. They are intrigued with the land form and it is a great introduction the "legend genre". I am eager to share with them how the geologists believe it was formed.
Geologist believe that Devils Tower was formed by the intrusion of igneous material.
The rock rose higher and higher, the bears still jumped at the girls until they were pushed up into the sky, where they now are, seven little stars in a group (The Pleiades). In the winter, in the middle of the night, the seven stars are right over this high rock. When the people came to look, they found the bears' claws, turned to stone, all around the base.No Kiowa living has ever seen this rock, but the old men have told about it - it is very far north where the Kiowa used to live. It is a single rock with scratched sides, the marks of the bears' claws are there yet, rising straight up, very high. There is no other like it in the whole country, there are no trees on it, only grass on top. The Kiowa call this rock "Tso-aa", a tree rock, possibly because it grew tall like a tree. I love sharing this story with my second graders. They are intrigued with the land form and it is a great introduction the "legend genre". I am eager to share with them how the geologists believe it was formed.
Geologist believe that Devils Tower was formed by the intrusion of igneous material.
Long ago Devils Tower was not visible above the sedimentary rocks that covered it. But the forces of erosion, particularly water, began to wear away the soft sandstones and shales above and around the Tower. Because it was harder, the igneous rock of the Tower survived the wind and water and the gray columns of Devils Tower began to appear above the surrounding landscape.
Even now, as rain and snow continue to erode the sedimentary rocks surrounding the Tower's base, more of Devils Tower will be exposed. But at the same time, the Tower itself is slowly eroding. Rocks are continually breaking off and falling from the walls. Sometimes entire columns fall. The piles of broken columns, boulders, small rocks, and stones at the base of the Tower, indicate that it was even larger than it is today.
Visiting the tower was a spiritual experience for me. There is a peaceful aura that surrounds the tower. A beautiful place to meditate. Prayer cloths are visible hanging from trees and prayer towers are built up on rocks.
Devils Tower is this countries first official National Monument.
Visiting the tower was a spiritual experience for me. There is a peaceful aura that surrounds the tower. A beautiful place to meditate. Prayer cloths are visible hanging from trees and prayer towers are built up on rocks.
Devils Tower is this countries first official National Monument.
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| Welcome to Prairie Dog town |
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| I thought this one was funny |
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| Prairie Dog hole |
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| da da da da deee |
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| Native names for Devils Tower |
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| Plants and trees grow in the rocks |
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| I am thrilled to see the respect shown by the National Parks toward the Native American prayer vigils. |
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| Can you see the bear claws? |
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| Beautiful red pine bark |
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