Entry 2: From Gillette to Spearfish

After an early wake-up call this morning, Carol and I ate a very good breakfast at our hotel in Gillette, The Country Inn and Suites. We were all excited to try out the water park only to discovered it didn't open until 8:00. So much for getting up at 6 thinking we would eat, swim, and then get on the road. The delay between breakfast and swimming did give us a chance to get organized for the day but meant a little later start than planned. I am now posting this from our second night hotel in Spearfish, SD. Below is a photo tour of our day. "The 65 B-day Tour" continues tomorrow as we work our way to Deadwood for the Wild Bill Day activities.
Our room number in Gillette was easy to remember. The room was nice but a tad bit dirty. We had to clean our toilet because they only had one person at the desk and no housekeeping on duty. This was a first for us and at least we knew it was clean.  Needless to say we didn't leave a tip.

The water park was great! We were the only two people there so we felt very privileged with our own private pool, slides, and hot tub. I got a crazy idea that I could go down a water slide without injury.  Let's just say it wasn't pretty and I made it with no blood or broken bones.



As we traveled east out of Gillette we saw our first oil rig and a huge coal mine. Come to find out the area is full of both.

Scenery on our way to Devil's Tower

First good glimpse of Devil's Tower

The red soil is so pretty, different shades in different places.

 First selfie of the trip, we have to prove that we really did make it!





Prairie dog in Devil's Tower National Park
We ate lunch at the park after our sight seeing. This is my first ever buffalo cheeseburger and was surprised that it was so good. Expensive but good!

A little girl who had just walked around Devil's Tower was so excited to tell mom that they had seen a rattlesnake on the trail. Dad said it wasn't but I bet she was right. This ugly fellow was fake and helped decorate the cafe.
It was a beautiful uphill walk to an observation area. Sitting so close to this Native American holy place was humbling. There seemed to be a calming power in its majesty. While we were sitting visiting about its beauty, a couple beside us were trying to take a selfie. I offered to take their picture for them. When the woman turned around to show me how to operate her camera, Carol noticed that she had on an Okaboji t-shirt. They were from Woodword, Iowa and the son and daughter-in-law of Ray Pugh. Friends in education will surely recognize that name. We had a lovely visit with them, even exchanging phone numbers. Just goes to show that you always have to be on your best behavior! Well, we are trying.

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