Devils Tower - Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Do you remember the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind?" This 1978 blockbuster film was written and directed by Steven Spielberg and stared Richard Dryfuss and Teri Garr.

In the movie Roy Neary (Dryfuss) experiences a close encounter of the first kind by witnessing UFOs flying through the night sky. He is subsequently haunted by a mountain-like image in his head and becomes obsessed with discovering what it represents. Then there is a close encounter of the second time by government agents who discover evidence of military vehicles that went missing decades ago suddenly appearing in the middle of nowhere. Roy and the agents follow the clues and have a close encounter of the third contact.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075860/plotsummary 

You can watch a clip from the movie here. 

We recently visited Devils Tower National Monument near Sundance in northeastern Wyoming where parts of the movie was filmed. 

The tower is a geologic feature protruding out of the rolling prairie that surrounds the Black Hills. 

Piles of rubble, broken columns, boulders, small rocks and stones, lie at the base of the Tower, indicating that it was, at some time in the past, larger than it is today. http://www.nps.gov/deto/naturescience/geologicformations.htm 

That's Mr. Bigg standing on rocks at the base of the tower. 

The site is considered Sacred to the Lakota and other tribes that have a connection to the area. Prayer offerings of bundles and cloths are seen along the trail. It is asked that you do not disturb the offerings.

This one-of-a-kind natural wonder looms 1200 feet above Wyoming's prairie. The parallel cracks make it one of the finest traditional crack climbing areas in North America. 

We saw climbers while we were hiking the tower trail. Climbers must register with park officials before their climb and check-in after. 






We weren't there to climb but did hike the trail. Our grandson's enjoyed climbing on the smaller rocks along the trail.

At one point long the trail, you can see the beautiful valley 

and the Belle Fourche River. 

I love this shot of the setting sun behind the monument.

Thanks for stopping by for a quick visit to Devils Tower, which was established in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt as the first National Monument - Judy.

Photos from the Movie: http://derekwinnert.com/close-encounters-of-the-third-kind-classic-film-review-306/ 

Linking to: 

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

Mosaic Monday at Little Red House

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Metamorphosis Monday@ Between Naps on the Porch

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday
Your're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe With An E

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life 

Reconnect With Nature Wednesday at Living A Good North Coast Life 

Photos from the Movie: http://derekwinnert.com/close-encounters-of-the-third-kind-classic-film-review-306/