KIP's (Kids in the Parks)

WHEN? Friday · July 13 (today's first post)

WHERE? Devils Tower Visitor Center

One of Wendell's favorite National Park Service duties is certifying younger visitors who pass the rigid requirements of the Devils Tower Junior Ranger program. Once the appropriate paperwork has been completed and approved, a certificate is awarded to the new Junior Ranger:

Students across the nation follow the Junior Ranger program to learn more about United States National Parks and Historic Sites. New York middle schooler Sam Maslow and his brother have accumulated hundreds of Junior Ranger patches, badges and pins. Junior Ranger Sarah Watts from North Carolina, who has also earned an impressive number of certificates, was quoted last April during the first-ever National Junior Ranger Day.

Visit the National Park Service Junior Ranger Zone to learn more about its fun and educational programs. No traveling necessary! WebRangers provides online opportunties for virtual travel.

Never say never

WHEN? Wednesday · July 11

WHERE? Devils Tower campground

An unexpected crimp in Wendell's cooking plans:
Charcoal has been included in a temporary burn ban at Devils Tower. For perhaps the first time in his culinary career, he's considering purchasing (gasp!) a gas grill.*

This 2004 photo suggests that it's more
about the apparel than the grilling method

*IMPORTANT UPDATE!

Wendell did indeed purchase a tabletop Char-Broil™ gas grill at an area WalMart while running an official park errand. Mae Dean's been pleased with the meals cooked on it. You reckon he's converted?

World Travelers

WHEN? Tuesday · July 10

WHERE? Devils Tower Visitor Center

Bienvenidos Devils Tower!

Wendell's park assignment has given him the opportunity to meet travelers from all over the world, including England, Germany, Switzerland and Japan. He offers brochures in their native language to Japanese visitors, who arrive each Tuesday by the busload, and who thank him with lots of bowing. Several have even asked their gracious Devils Tower host to pose for photos with them.

Brochures are available in
Japanese / French / German / Spanish

The First Lady of Devils Tower

WHEN? Sunday · July 8

WHERE? Devils Tower Outdoor Canopy

WHAT? Devils Tower Cultural Program Series presents
Climbing the Tower Fifty-Nine Years Ago – In Song and Story

Mae Dean is glad she didn't miss this engaging presentation by Jan Conn, who is best known as the first woman to climb Devils Tower. Jan spoke about her adventurous life during the 1950's. Since that time, she and her husband Herb remained active charting cave routes while spelunking in the Midwest .

· Gearing up to climb?

Jan's husband Herb came along for the ride

See more Jan Conn photos on flickr

Land yachts need love too

WHEN? Friday · July 6

WHERE? Whitewood, South Dakota · find us on the map

A plumbing leak inspired Wendell and Mae Dean to pull up the Airstream's stakes for the first time since settling in at Devils Tower. They visited Northern Hills Homes & RVs in South Dakota and returned home with unleaky pipes in just a few hours.

An enormous selection of campers and RV's were available for sale on the seven-acre lot. This unusual design is either newfangled or retro:

The 26th President

WHEN? Thursday evening · July 5 (today's second post)

WHERE? Devils Tower Amphitheater

WHAT? Devils Tower Cultural Program Series presents
An Evening with Mr. Theodore Roosevelt

After spending the afternoon working alongside Wendell in the Visitor Center to promote his upcoming show, historical impressionist Gib Young recounted President Roosevelt's dedication to conservation and stewardship.

Wendell ended up participating in the evening program, posing as the bear whose life Roosevelt spared. At the end of his presentation, Young presented certificates to several Junior Rangers.

See more Gib Young photos on flickr

Ye Olde Information Desk

WHEN? Thursday afternoon · July 5 · (today's first post)

WHERE? Devils Tower Visitor Center

Your friendly Devils Tower host

Wendell enjoys helping guests at the Visitor Center's Information Desk. During an afternoon visit to Devils Tower, Gypsy Journal editor Nick Russell snapped a photo of Wendell as he shared brochures:

(click on image to enlarge)

Snap-Crackle-Pop

WHEN? Wednesday · July 4

WHERE? Across the street at Devils Tower KOA

Airstream parked at: Devils Tower Campground

Independence Day ended with a bang! After a BBQ dinner with live entertainment, a local campground hosted northeast Wyoming's largest fireworks show. Mae Dean and Wendell had a great view from the Devils Tower amphitheater, while area climbers watched from the tower's summit.

Got a minute?

Exercise your brain with this fireworks match game.

The Executioners

WHEN? Monday · July 2

WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument

Leafy Spurge · Euphorbia esula

Heavy Spring rainfalls have encouraged heavy growth of non-native leafy spurge. To diminish its ecological impact on native plant species, out-of-state professionals arrive by the truckload to spray these noxious plants with chemical weed killer.

The smell of success isn't always sweet

WHEN? Sunday · July 1

WHERE? Devils Tower campground

Fellow RVers had warned Wendell and Mae Dean to expect unwanted mice, who moved in as soon as the Airstream was parked at Devils Tower. This week, Mae Dean reported that several traps have served their intended purpose.

Cute little varmints
... until a clan of them invades your living space

Looking on the bright side ...

According to recent mice news from China, things could be two billion times worse.

April showers bring ...

WHEN? Friday · June 29

WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument · find us on the map

After an unusually rainy Spring, northeast Wyoming has been brilliantly green, combined with bursts of color from its showy wildflowers. The National Audubon Society's Field Guide to the Rocky Mountain States has helped Mae Dean accurately identify many varieties.

A wolf in sheep's clothing

Dame's Rocket Hesperis matronalis
is not native to North America and is on the
Department of Agriculture's noxious weed list

---

Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea

Western Yarrow Achillaea millifolium

See more Devils Tower flora photos on flickr

Stormy weather over Wyoming

WHEN? Wednesday · June 27

WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument • find us on the map

Hardined Travelers

WHEN? Saturday · June 23

WHERE? Hardin, Montana · • · find us on the map

Pleasant weather enhanced a visit to Montana during Hardin's centennial-celebration fair. After enjoying a $6.00 tacoburger plate lunch (drink and dessert included), Wendell and Mae Dean visited local historic sites, including the Hotel Becker.

See more Hardin photos on flickr

More wildlife sightings

WHEN? Friday · June 22

WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument • find us on the map

Although Mae Dean's already snapped several rabbit and prairie dog photos, it's almost like the critters have gotten so used to her that they're beginning to pose for the camera:

See more Devils Tower wildlife photos on flickr

See the best prairie dog photo ever on Liliana's blog:

A Little Grace

Podunk Paradise

WHEN? Wednesday · June 20

WHERE? Aladdin, Wyoming · find us on the map

Aladdin General Store has served area residents and travelers since 1896.

Click on the porch door to have a look around inside with Wendell

Who you callin' old?

WHEN? Fathers Day · June 17

WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument · find us on the map

The traditional Old Settlers' Picnic includes food, fun and festivities. Since this event coincided with Wendell's birthday, he and Mae Dean attended the picnic to celebrate.

Some area settlers arrived in old-fashioned style

HBTY !

Good news!

Several of Mae Dean's snapshots appeared in local newspapers after being submitted by the picnic's organizers. See these and more of her Old Settlers' Picnic photos on flickr.

Ancient Lore

WHEN? Tuesday · June 12

WHERE? Devils Tower Administration Building

Long-extinct Native American tribes claim that the magnified details on this mysterious moth's upper wings reveal a reflection of the Great Spirit of Devils Tower. These images are visible only to those who possess a pure heart, distinctive character, and broad imaginative capacity. Since these rare moths are attracted to the park office's recycled-rubber mats, Mae Dean was fortunate enough to get a detailed photo of this Devils Tower phenomenon.

Click the image below for a closer view

The official moth of Devils Tower

Preserved Melodies

WHEN? Saturday · June 9

WHERE? Devils Tower Visitor Center and Amphitheater

WHAT? Native Flute Presentation

After a morning presentation by traditional flute maker and performer Wolfs Robe, Mae Dean and Wendell attended his evening concert featuring the haunting sounds of the Native American flute.

LIVING ... MAEDEANS STYLE:

Sacred Music 12/3/2007

More Sacred Music 6/14/2008

Good night and God bless

WHEN? Friday · June 8

WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument · find us on the map

Another dazzling Wyoming sunset!

Creature Comforts

WHEN? Saturday · June 2

WHERE? Gillette, Wyoming · • · find us on the map

Wendell and Mae Dean are settling in for the summer ...

... and staying in to watch TV for the first time since leaving their condo goes a long way towards feeling settled. In spite of last week's wind and rain (accompanied by cold temps), DTV traveled over a hundred miles from Rapid City to install satellite TV.

Mae Dean has already seen several HGTV shows, while Wendell prefers the sports available on ESPN. Both enjoyed Food Network's coverage of Neely's BBQ in Memphis. Wendell hasn't yet tried to re-create the show's featured recipe, Neely's BBQ Pork Spare Ribs.

Today's trip to Gillette, which has the nearest WalMart, was primarily for errand running: Haircut, groceries, and several cellphone calls while service was available.