They were told stories by the Native Americans at the time, that this mound was home to "deavels", or little people, 18 inches tall with really big heads. Lewis and Clark ventured to this spot to see the "little people." Clark felt that what the natives saw could have been the extra activity of bird life in the area. All the bugs and insects are a great feeding ground.
We visited the area twice, once in the afternoon and then realizing that we were in the phase of a full moon, we decided to go back after supper - the moon rising was spectacular and pictures just don't do it justice.
Thursday we rose to meet the day and it was a most pleasant morning. We got under way around 0830 and made several stops. Yes, we stopped at Cabela's to pick up some very important things (wink wink) and then on to Murdo, SD. We returned to the Murdo Drive In where we enjoyed some ice cream. We first visited Murdo back in 2012. Tammy picked up her first trinket of the trip, a "Murdo Drive In" t-shirt. It's all the rage out here - or at least in Murdo...
Drove 450 miles today - temps peaked at 103 - did not see any Prong Horn antelope as of yet. Saw some elk and lots and lots of round hay bales!!
Time to let Tam edit and add pictures - Peace to you all ~ Jim
From Tam- Spirit Mound was an unexpected treasure! Very close to our campground, 15 miles on gravel and paved roads. It was wonderful to return in the evening because we were the only ones there. Spirit Mound is the only rise in the landscape for miles. That is how it is confirmed that Lewis and Clark actually visited that spot. They wrote about it in their journal. A 3/4 mile hike to the top and you could see for miles. We reached the top just as the sun was setting and waited as the rose colored moon began to rise. It was such a beautiful evening as the as the warm prairie winds danced all around us. And to see Jim's excitement, knowing he was walking on the same land touched by Lewis and Clark. . . priceless!
Then this morning, we headed to our beloved Black Hills. We always look out for pronghorn antelope and are so excited when we see our first one. It is then that we always exclaim that we've finally reached the west. On this trip, we were disappointed that we did not see any. We realized that we are coming out here about a month later than we've traveled in the past. The temps are way above what we've experienced in June, topping out at 103! Our guess is that the pronghorn were seeking the cool of some shade trees and laying low until dusk or early morning. We know it's unusually hot for this area as the locals are talking about the heat and how long it's been since they've had rain. We saw many creek beds that were dried up and pasture lands that were brown from too many days in the hot sun.
As we turned the corner at Rapid City, the sky put on a spectacular show! There is so much beauty and unspoiled majesty out here, you can scarcely take it all in. And as we look at this picture, we are in awe of God's breathtaking creation. Here in nature, we enjoy a different kind of sanctuary. And our hearts are full~
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