Devils Tower National Monument

    The purpose of our crossing into Wyoming was a visit to Devils Tower National Monument. We had a nice ride north and I found a marshy area with a big flock of shorebirds. We took a break and I found a group of Wilson's phalaropes which is a new species for me. Not long after we met a very nice state trooper who reminded us not to rush too much on our trip!

Devils Tower came into view long before we got to the park entrance and it really is an impressive sight. It's a remnant from a volcanic eruption and geologists believe it appeared after the surrounding sedimentary rock eroded away.

 
    We hiked a short distance up to the base and the kids got to play on the boulders for a bit. We still had a long drive ahead of us so we didn't linger for too long. Northern Wyoming was very scenic and the ride away took us through a great river valley with beautiful layers of multicolored rock.