Devils Tower Monument

From afar it looked very ordinary. Just a piece of rock standing tall above its plain surrounding.
But when I looked closer, the Devils Tower reminded me of Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. Only it is so much bigger and the claw-like markings are very distinct, not to mention the diameter of this one rock is really really huge! These claw-like markings are no different from the Giant's Causeway, they looked like round long stones bundled together into one giant rock.

Indian folklore has it that the Devils Tower rose to defend 3 little girls from a bear's attack. The children prayed and the ground above them rose, until finally a stairway to heaven appeared and they all went up there. The Pleiades or seven sisters constellation is named after it. It was also said that when its re-discoverer Richard Irving Dodge asked an Indian tribe chief, he referred to the place as the Devils Tower (in Indian tongue). The place was named and registered as Devils Tower. Personally, I think the place is very eerie for two reasons - whenever the wind blows, this rock makes a very freaky howl and it seems that the trees are talking (remember The Lord Of The Rings?). Dropping the subject matter for a name , the Devils Tower monument is the 1st declared national monument and is to date one of the most fascinating geological finds.

To me however, it seems very odd that the place which is considered by American Indians as sacred is also a famous rock-climbing place. Yes, professional climbers challenge themselves into climbing the Devils Tower (look closer at the close up pic and find 'em!). I feel conflicted about seeing how Indians go about their prayer rituals at the base looking up to their Gods and at the same time, tourists such as me, carelessly taking pictures and talking and strolling around it.

Nevertheless I am awed and freaked to be standing at the foot of this simple and mysterious fixture of earth.