Valley of the Cathedral Spires

 Let Us Pray...

 We have had wonderful weather all year this year. With much rainfall this Spring and Summer, the wildflowers have been abundant, and the prairie hills were verdant graceful waves, with sleek, grazing bands of horses, cattle, buffalo, antelope, and others of the hooved Nations.

Autumn in the Black Hills has been exceptionally beautiful this year, as well. Perhaps however, it merely seems the more so– with the knowledge that the brilliant beauty of South Dakota would soon dissolve into sweeping sheets of whites, greys and umber, and deep blue shadow.

In those last few precious moments, when all of Nature seems to hold Her breath at the height of glorious crescendo– I go to the 'Hills as often as I can, visiting the sacred Hinhan Kaga Paha, where it is my pleasure to worship...

In the Nest of the Wakinyan

October is always an uncertain time of the year in Lakota territory. Last year at this time, JhonDuane and I drove through the Blizzard of 2013 in my trusty little Toyota, from Rapid City to Denver, so Jhon could officiate at the wedding of his son, Will's friend, Chris Peters. We were on the road for over 13 hours. Truthfully, we risked our lives on this journey. We are lucky to have arrived in Colorado without incident.

Once we finally got there, though, the greetings were warm, the weekend was wonderful, and the groom's and bride's families were grateful and welcoming. Coming back, however, everywhere we looked were indications of a holocaust, and a grim reminder of what might have been our fate...


This year, the weather has smiled on Lakota territory, and the weather- though it has offered cold and briefly snowy conditions- have also offered wonder-filled halcyon days.

I have taken every opportunity available to enjoy these gorgeous, golden days, to revel in the beauty of this amazing land I call home.

Last weekend I journeyed to Kaga Paha Sapa (shamefully re-named, Harney Peak). This time, I took a detour to the heart of  "The Nest of the Wakinyan"- the Sacred Winged (roughly translated).

How to describe it? I cannot. I will simply post the photos:

The day was beautifully sunny and warm. I was over-dressed in my Levis!

 Fall Rose leaves

 Rose Hips

 Bearberry, used for urinary tract infections, and used in a mixture called Kinnikinnik, which is smoked by American Indians.

 It is amazing to me the tenacity of plants to grow where literally there is no soil, and- to all appearances, only rock from which they spring!

 Wild currants

 Campanula, or Blue Bells.

Late-season Aster

Don't know what this tiny little flower is, but it is so lovely!

Fall strawberry runners

We have had an abundance of rain in the Black Hills this year, and the water is flowing everywhere!

In wandering off the path I discovered some interesting rock shelters.

 Something slept under this rock shelter, and swept the ground smooth!

Hmmm... this was a big fellow!























The igneous rock formation known as The Needles in guide books, is more commonly known as the Nest of the Wakinyan- the Sacred Winged ones by the Lakota.

Nearing the Nest...

In the Eye of the Needle

Someone's home is here...

Underneath this BIG rock!

A rock... 
between a rock
and a hard place!

... and of course,
Shadow Woman
was my constant
companion!

It was a great opportunity to wear
some beautiful new earrings– 
a gift from Jhon ...
& a new
Jhon Goes in Center Creation!

 The view from the top of Epahaska- the Black Hills, framed through an opening in the wall.








Truly, beauty surrounds us!

Autumn's Embers

Late in the Fall, there came a warm, windy wonderful day, full of the energy and the last of Autumn's embers. It was impossible to stay inside at such a time, so– with a light heart, and no idea of where I would go– headed out.

The little car took me south through Custer, down Lame Johnny Creek road (one of my favorites) and on to Hot Springs. Once there I decided to visit a place I had on my bucket list, and I was glad I did.

The Nathaniel and Mary Whitney Preserve at Cascade Creek is protected by the Nature Conservancy- one of my favorite organizations, and great stewards of the wild places and wetlands, protecting and preserving the integrity of valuable water sources, of this continent and around the world.

Every magical pathway curve held magic– the water was melodic and hypnotic in the late day light. The final magic hour crescendo blazed a rich symphony of brilliant color, as I was again reminded, that in this special place– beauty surrounds us!

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Romancing the Stone

Romance brought me out here. Yep- I admit it. And since I've been here I have become more and more romanced by the Beauty All Around Me...

Stones. They dominate the scene here. In fact- they turned themselves inside out- to create the world. With Super Powers such as this, how could I not be swept off of my feet by them?

There is a special rock that continues to lure me out here as no other- the Fairburn Agate. When I was still in New Hampshire, it slipped itself on my finger, and it was love at first sight. From then on, I guess I was a goner! No two Fairburn agates are alike, and they continue to amaze and bedazzle me with their beauty and power.

The second one came to me when I had replanted myself in South Dakota, somewhere in Dakota Territory...

Up to this point I had only seen mostly polished Fairburn stones, and not that many of them. But I was determined to find one of my own.

I wandered around here and there, farther and farther afield. One hot summer's day, on my way back after several hours hunting- hot and tired, I saw this rock...sitting in the path. The same path I had just walked earlier! There it was- big as life, as if it had just walked there, and was waiting for the next available bus out of town. How could I have missed it earlier? It was as big as my fist. I was struck by it's beauty, but unsure if that really was a Fairburn. Ha!

I got home and dumped all my findings onto the porch, then jumped into the shower. Dried and jumping into fresh clothes, I was just in time as JhonDuane came up the porch steps. By the time I got to the door, he was already checking out my rocks. Before I had time to say anything, he picked up the potato-sized rock and raced to the kitchen to wash it.

"Aw, you don't want this old prairie agate do you?" he said, an odd lilt to his voice.

By this I already knew what it was.

Since then I cannot help but heed the siren's song of this ancient Fairburn agate. I go out to seek it at every chance available.

There are many places to search for Fairburn agates. I will not take the time to share this as there are many other sites more knowledgeable than this little blog regarding Fairburn agate beds. The reader has only to initiate a Google search to find them. It is enough to say that I have spent many happy hours in some of the most beautiful and remote places in Lakota territory hunting them.

Early this summer I tried a new location- in the Black Hills. It was one of the most beautiful places in the 'Hills that I have seen. Because of all the rain, June put on one of the most spectacular displays I have experienced since I have been here. Nature outdid herself! The spot itself is amazing! It is a place of peace and visual splendor.

After an hour or so of hunting in this lovely spot, I had some tiny treasures. No one of these were more than half an inch!

 















 















...and some- not as tiny!

By late afternoon it was time to head back to Rapid City, tired, but happy with my finds, and a peaceful heart.

It is no wonder that the Lakota spoke of the Black Hills as a place of sustenance and renewal!