road trip     

From the Park Service brochure:
One of the reasons this monument has been set aside by Congress as a National Monument is to ensure that American Indians of all tribes may continue to quarry the sacred red pipestone... it is the only location where Native Americans have quarried the red pipestone from the very early times to the present. The ability to continue quarrying pipestone within the Monument has been reserved by lay to American Indians. Pipestone National Monument is identified as a sacred site associated with American Indian beliefs and cultural activities. The Monument also supports the tall grass pririe and a diverse assortment of prairi plants, animals and rare habitats federally listed threatened and endangered species, and globally rare remnant plant communities.

Prairie Rose.

Pretty flowers.

Silverleaf Scurf Peas.

Cliffs of Sioux Quartzite. Pipestone is a layer found under about 15 feet of quartzite, and the quarrying is all done with hand tools. In the quarries, the top layer of soil and quartzite are broken and removed to expose the layer of pipestone.

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Rock stairway up the quartzite cliff to the top.

Old Stone Face. Created, says the booklet, entirely by natural forces.

Pipestone Creek. A sign by the creek says that "chemicals and other pollutants in the water make it unsafe to drink or swim in." How do we human beings think it's OK to mess up such a beautiful little creek that runs through land considered sacred by the people who were here first and from whom we have taken so much? Many of the most beautiful and meaningful places we have been on this road trip are all but destroyed by shameless commerce and rude, insensitive and careless people. Huge thanks to the staff, the rangers and maintenance people and service people who work in these parks and monuments, cleaning up after us and doing everything they can to preserve and protect our true national treasures.

Winnewissa Falls.

The Oracle. From the booklet: "Another example of nature's sculture. This stone face is called the Oracle and is considered by many American Indians as the guardian spirit that overlooks the pipestone quarries. Seeing all that happens in the valley of the quarries, it is believed that the Oracle will impart wisdom to quarriers who show their respect by leaving offerings and prayers".

The Oracle.

The Oracle. Face is looking to the left, nose is prominent, mouth and forehead clear.