Western Showcase

WHEN? Friday · August 31 · (today's second post)

WHERE? Cody, Wyoming · named for William "Buffalo Bill" Cody · find us on the map

Airstream parked at: Devils Tower campground while Wendell and Mae Dean checked into the Buffalo Bill Village Resort Holiday Inn, anticipating several days of local sightseeing.

Known as the Rodeo Capitol of the World, Cody is home to the world-class Buffalo Bill Historical Center, which is actually five museums in one:

• Buffalo Bill museum
• Western art gallery
• The firearms that won the West
• Native American cultures and art
• Yellowstone natural history

The three-minute promotional video below highlights the features of this multi-faceted attraction. Or even better — choose your favorite from over thirty BBHC educational and promotional videos available on YouTube. Video play times range from one to seven minutes.

Rest stop respite

WHEN? Friday · August 31 · (today's first post)

WHERE? Ten Sleep, Wyoming · find us on the map

During the long drive from Devils Tower to Yellowstone, Wendell and Mae Dean avoided travel fatigue with regular driving breaks. Before entering the Big Horn Mountains, they stopped to enjoy the natural beauty of the United Methodist Circle J Ranch.

See more Circle J Ranch photos on flickr

No more paper clutter!

WHEN? Thursday · August 30

WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument

During her summer at Devils Tower, Mae Dean was introduced to newfangled self-adhesive bulletin boards. Since a place to post loose notes was needed in the RV, two of her generous coworkers presented her with her very own 3M Post-it® Self-Stick Bulletin Board as a going-away gift.

Thanks — it's perfect!

A fond farewell

WHEN? Wednesday · August 29

WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument

Here's something to remember them by:
Summer 2007 Devils Tower Staff and Volunteers

One of nature's gems

WHEN? Friday · August 24

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

Wendell and Mae Dean took in the beauty of one of Black Hills National Forest's natural wonders, Jewel Cave National Monument, named for its sparkling calcite spar crystals. Ranger Kenneth Zortman crammed lots of information into the half-hour Discovery Tour presentation.

See more Jewel Cave photos on flickr

Native dance

WHEN? Saturday · August 18

WHERE? Devils Tower Amphitheater

WHAT? Devils Tower Cultural Program Series presents Little Sun / High Eagle Drum and Dance Troupe

Arapahoe and Lakota natives of all ages performed traditional tribal dances. Can you tell there was a whole lotta shakin' goin' on?

See more Drum and Dance photos on flickr

Will this be on the final exam?

WHEN? Last weekend

WHERE? The Badlands of North Dakota

Wendell and Mae Dean's summer travels have certainly been an educational field trip:

Today's lesson:

Scoria Point is named for the area's geological features.

Special deliveries

WHEN? Sunday · August 12

WHERE? Hulett, Wyoming · find us on the map

Two churches in nearby Hulett

A noticeable difference between the Southern states and the rugged Midwest is the number of churches. After being members of Wells Memorial UMC for twenty-plus years, Mae Dean and Wendell keep up with Keith Tonkel's sermons by subscribing to monthly CD's. Wells also provides sermons in MP3 format on its website to farflung worshippers.

This Hulett flowerbed suggests that fewer churches
certainly doesn't mean less of God's beauty

When badlands go badder

WHEN? Friday · August 10

WHERE? Medora, North Dakota · find us on the map

Today's sightseeing included:

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where the Badlands extend into North Dakota. Before leaving, Wendell and Mae Dean visited the Maltese Cross Cabin, one of the park's historical landmarks.


• The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame

See more North Dakota photos on flickr

Thanksgiving in August

WHEN? Thursday · August 9

WHERE? Devils Tower Administration Building

Park Management generously hosted a Thanksgiving meal, complete with turkey, ham, stuffing and potatoes.

Wendell served his original Triple Devil Special:

... deviled eggs

... made with deviled ham

... at Devils Tower

DT Riders

WHEN? Wednesday · August 8

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

It's Bike Week at Devils Tower!

The National Park Service makes special arrangements in anticipation of thousands of bikers at Devils Tower each August. This 15-page Incident Action Plan to promote safety and smooth park operation was given to each staff member and VIP ... and includes a wise suggestion for those working around motorcycles to wear earplugs.

Business was brisk at the local Trading Post

More on flickr:

· Bike Week at Devils Tower

· Bike Week in Hulett

Antique Harley

Indian Motorcycle

South Dakota's prettiest garden

WHEN? Last weekend

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

Mae Dean was graciously invited for an impromptu tour of the cottage gardens at Devashan, a Spearfish antiques business.

Since devachan means a little piece of heaven in the Hindu religion's ancient Sanskrit language, it's a fitting name for this charming local landmark.

Devashan's owners also provide Up The Creek's annual breakfast and lunch buffets at Spearfish Campground during Bike Week.

See more Devashan garden photos on flickr

Buffalo tamers

WHEN? Sunday · August 5

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

After encountering several bison herds in Custer State Park during yesterday's travels, we also came upon this lone friendly buffalo in Custer:

Spearfish revisited

WHEN? Saturday · August 4 · (today's second post)

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

A final sightseeing trip before becoming confined to Devils Tower during Sturgis Bike Week, which officially begins tomorrow.

Today's travels:

• Spearfish Campground, which was particularly crowded with bikers. (See campground photos on flickr.)


• Mae Dean and Wendell glimpsed a herd of bison during a second drive through Custer State Park, en route to ...


• Needles Highway, a 68-mile scenic byway named for the area's tall granite formations. One prominent spire with a three-foot-wide slit is appropriately called Needles Eye.

Witnessing tour buses pass through the highway's narrow tunnels was an unexpected but remarkable event

See more Needles Highway photos on flickr

Something's fishy around here

WHEN? Saturday · August 4 · (today's first post)

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

Perhaps today's visit to D. C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery provided inspiration for an upcoming volunteer assignment?

See more Spearfish fish hatchery photos on flickr