The day started early with campers having struck out at cowboy camping after hearing wayyyy too much rustling in the night. The morning was gorgeous and everyone was excited to see Devil’s Tower especially after our first view at dusk.
Majestic bison were out, and we wonder if they know how many look at them with eyes wide awe.
Devil’s Tower is America’s first national monument and after meeting Bob Coronato, an incredible artist whose paintings are displayed in the Library of Congress, we learned there is a little known sweatlodge behind the tower where rituals and gatherings to honor the tower have been taking place for thousands and thousands of years.
Bob owns an antique store in Hulett, WY and it is filled with sacred relics of the past, including armor Native Americans wore for spiritual protection.
It was a gift to have a conversation with someone who spoke with such reverence and knowledge about the lore of the region and people. The respect for lineage is a reminder that the wisdom of our elders in an age-ist society is what gives us something to strive as we learn along these wild twists and turns.
We met more local elders along the way—it was an honor that they shared their stories with us because now when we’re older we will have a context for it even if we don’t quite grasp it all now.
We saw several more historical sites along the way including Vore Buffalo Jump and the oldest gas stations ever in Aladdin, WY, with a population of 15 people.
What we love about biking is how it’s the realest way to learn and connect with everything around us while having the time of our lives. One local Native American told us that the flow of the bicycle is similar to the flow of a river and how this trip will keep us healthy the rest of our lives because we have flow. So we continue to be grateful with those willing to share with us and keep us going along the way!