July 27th - Rapid City, SD, to Buffalo, WY

​ During our pleasant drive west on I-90, we took a short side trip to Devil's Tower, which was featured in the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." It rises nearly 900 feet from the surrounding ground. There are various theories on it's formation. Most believe that it was a relatively small intrusive body formed by magma which cooled underground and was later exposed by erosion. To the native peoples, the Tower was a sacred site - a place for winter camps, vision quests, and summer ceremonies. 

We arrived at Indian Campground in Buffalo, Wyoming. It was a lovely, shady oasis with well kept lawns, gravel drives and nice bathhouse. Angie had read about the historic Occidental Hotel and bar in town, which was a short one-mile walk from our campsite. Streak and Charlie joined us on the walk since the bar is dog-friendly. We found a spacious, cool bar with a music stage and billiard room. Wildlife trophies - including pronghorn, grizzly, black bear and even a jaguar - crowded the walls. 

We were surprised to find many menu items named for the Longmire book and TV series. Craig Johnson, the Wyoming author of the book series, drew on many of the local sites for the fictional Absaroca County setting. The Busy Bee is a real restaurant, right next door to the Occidental. Signed photos of cast members from the TV series are displayed in the bar.