While I was wandering around the country back in ‘81, following my front wheel, I stumbled on an out-of-the-way site, Medicine Wheel. It’s located up the side of a mountain in northern Wyoming, just off US Alt 14, in the Big Horns. I followed a dirt rode up the mountain and spent several days just looking the place over. The whole time I was up there nobody else came around that I saw.

Not much is known about the whats and whys of the place. It was a lonely, beautiful site, though. The Medicine Wheel is a group of rocks placed in a circle, probably for religious reasons and most likely had something to do with telling when seasons started and ended.

I was a seeker back then, dissatisfied with my life, and just wondering why I was here. Part of the reason for riding around the country was to “find” myself. I wasn’t in any hurry, willing to look into some pretty strange cracks and crevices, just to see what or who might be in there. Medicine Wheel was one of those places. My short stay there left me feeling very lonely, but refreshed and looking forward to continuing the journey.
I’m not much into ghosts, spirits, and such, but this place was haunting. It’s up around 10,000 feet and above the tree line. You can look out at the far horizon in a 360 degree circle. When I’d sit up through the night I’d feel the presence of others. It just seemed like there was somebody around, sitting and watching with me. Kind of spooky, but strangely reassuring.

I’m told it’s been turned into another tourist attraction, but that is the way of things. As a people we sometimes look a thing to death. I can’t imagine going there now without feeling that something is gone forever. Some might think that is selfish, that others ought to be able to see the place, too. That’s probably somewhat true, but if we “see” it to death, have we not lost the “thing” that was the place to begin with?

If some of y’all head out to Sturgis this year, take the trip over into Wyoming and tell me what you find. Look for a lonely place, sit a spell, and let the land talk to you. Be still! I promise you’ll be a better person for having done it. Then climb back aboard your bike, crank it up, and ride. Take some of the stillness with you, held in your heart where you can find it whenever you need.

 

I agree. I visited it last year when on my 2 week trip. I'd read about it many years ago and when I found I was heading that way, I stopped by for a look. I camped on the other side of the road and went up to the wheel first thing the next morning.

It didn't seem to be all that touristy. No booths or other things I associate with a tourist trap. There were lots of colorful offerings in various places around and within the circle. There were also signs about which way to walk around it (counter clockwise as I recall) and being careful not to disturb any natives who might be in the area.

When I left, I saw an indian coming out of the parking lot. He was dressed up in ceremonial garb.

It's not all glitzy or anything but you do get a sense of stillness when there conteplating the offerings and the views of the plains to the west.

I have pictures on my ride site however I'm in the process of moving things around and they're not easily locatable. Feel free to check out the other rides though: http://www.schelin.org/touring/touring.html

Carl