DRIVING THE BIG HORN MOUNTAINS  We slept in, so to speak, and had our typical English muffin, blueberry, and French press coffee breakfast. We decided to go hiking so headed up to the Big Horn Mountains, but instead of hiking, ended up driving to the Powder River Pass at just under 10,000 feet.

Coming down some S-curves toward Ten Sleep, there were many cars pulled over on the side of the road because an older van up ahead had caught fire and was burning badly. Many thought that the gas tank would blow at any minute. The driver and passenger were out safely. We continued to drive down the switchbacks rather than wait in traffic for something to happen, never knowing what had caused the fire. After making it down the west side of the Big Horns, we drove through Ten Sleep, Basin, Grey Bull, and Lovell, then back up the western side of the Big Horns using the northern route, which was a 10 to 11 percent grade. Those of you that know Kay well know she has a fear of heights, but she was on the inside of the mountain on the way up and tolerated it fairly well.

ANCIENT, FIRST PEOPLE MONUMENT  After making it to the top, we continued driving the high plateau to Medicine Wheel, an ancient Indian ceremonial place high in the Big Horn Mountains, also at nearly 10,000 feet. The Medicine Wheel–a place of worship, a National Historic Site, and an archeological mystery–is believed to have been created between AD 1200 and AD 1700 by placing hundreds of limestone rocks in the shape of a wheel roughly 80 feet in diameter; 28 spokes radiate from a central cairn to six smaller cairns around the rim. The Indians believe that everything in life is a circle and this is a perfect circle of stones with N/W/S/E compass points that are absolutely 100 percent accurate. No one knows for sure who built the Medicine Wheel, but Native American beliefs and archeological evidence point to its use as a spiritual site. Many people still come to the Medicine Wheel for inspiration, solitude, meditation, and vision questing. We saw several Native Americans using the Medicine Wheel during our visit.

DISCOVERING THE TONGUE RIVER  After our 3-mile hike to and from Medicine Wheel, we drove to Burgess Junction, Dayton, Ranchester, and Sheridan, then back to the campground at Buffalo. The Tongue River at Burgess Junction looked enticing, with lots of fly fishermen. It’s definitely on the list of places to go.

FOREST FIRE  We did notice a terrible wildfire burning in one of the lower canyons off of the Big Horn Mountains on our way from Sheridan to Buffalo. It was near the old town of Big Horn and a less used road access to the mountains called Red Grade. It burned for several days before they got it under control. Dick and Carol could even see it from the ranch which was over 15 miles from the fire.

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL  The majesty of the mountains, the valleys, and an incredible blue sky just filled us with joy and gladness to be alive and in this place today. Praise God.