We made our pilgrimage to Bear Butte today.  It is to the Native Americans like Mount Sinai is to us who
                      follow in the Judeo-Christian tradition.  We came on this pilgrimage in order to follow in the footsteps of
                      those who before us sought God.  We followed their path today to the top of Bear Butte.

                      We started first at Fort Mead where Mr. Chuck Rambow who is a retired ranger at Bear Butte and currently
                      director of the Fort Mead Museum.  Let us jump ahead at this point to say that Chuck is the first cousin of Bill
                      Linstrom.  He knew we were from Georgia, but realizing the size of the state he assumed we would not know
                      Bill.  But more about that later.

                      Chuck met us at Fort Meade and set the stage for our climb on Bear Butte by telling us some fascinating
                      stories about the history and spiritual importance of the Butte.  Later we talked about how the story of Bear
                      Butte is so similar to our tradition’s great stories from the Flood, to the calling of the Moses, and the giving of
                      the law to Moses on Mount Sinai.  After we heard the stories, Chuck accompanied us to Bear Butte.

                      There we gathered about the bust of Frank Fools Crow who upon dying at 99 was a “Lakota Holy Man,
                      Visionary, Ambassador, Healer, and Storyteller.”  All of us we captivated by the words he prayed before the
                      U.S. Senate in 1975.  “Give us a blessing so that our words an actions be on in unity, and that we will be able
                      to listen to each other.  In doing so, we shall with good heart walk hand in hand to face the future.”  Later as
                      we reflected on the day, we all agreed that it best described what we are learning to be and do as a
                      community.

                      After telling us more about the visions of Fools Crow, Chuck accompanied us to the base of the trail.  After a
                      couple more stories we said goodbye.  As we talked about Marietta, Chuck mentioned something about his
                      first cousin, Bill Linstrom.  Linda, our host, said later she would have loved to have a picture of our faces.
                      You don’t have a picture of our faces, but a picture of Chuck and everyone after we discovered our
                      connection.  Yes, Bill we talked about your grandfather’s home in Hill City.

                      We started our climb up Bear Butte a little over 1,000 foot climb up the side of the Butte.  Along the way we
                      witnessed prayer flags left by worshippers.  We took time to pray and to support one another as the blazing
                      sun made the climb hot.  The narrow trail and rocky surface made the trip difficult as well.  It took us nearly
                      two hours to make the climb as we supported one another.  We were so proud of each other there was never
                      a word of complaint, there were many offers of help and encouragement, and patience and perseverance
                      were the experience of all.

                      Near the top it began to rain and as the remaining people made the final climb we were assaulted by hail.
                      Once the storm cleared we took pictures.  As we gathered at the top we prayed the prayer of the four
                      directions praying to the east, south, west, and north.  We then spent time in silence as each of us found a
                      spot to pray along the top of the Butte.  After some time along and in prayer we gathered to prepare for the
                      walk down.  By this time the weather had passed and we presented with a delightful summer afternoon for
                      the walk down.

                      It was a powerful experience we all agreed.  All told we spent 4 hours climbing a Butte and coming back
                      down all in the search for God in the footsteps of our native American brothers and sisters.  And this was with
                      a group of teenagers and adults who were at each other’s throats just the day before.  As adults we were very
                      proud of the pilgrims.  They tackled the walk with a conviction to themselves and to each other that made us
                      proud.

                      The day ended with a drive through Spearfish Canyon, a visit to Bridal Veil and Broadloch Falls before dinner
                      at a very nice restaurant near the falls.  On the way back home we did our briefing in the van and talked about
                      planning for our closing ceremony tomorrow here at Broadlands Ranch.  Tomorrow morning we climb
                      Harney Peak the highest peak in the Black Hills and the site of Black Elk’s vision and spiritual center.  Pray
                      for us.
 

We gather with Chuck Ranbow outside the Fort Mead Museum on our way to Bear Butte.	Bear Butte from the access road as we enter the state park.	After a couple hours with Chuck we say goodbye as we climb the Butte but not before realizing Chuck is Bill Linstrom’s first cousin.  We invite him to St. Catherine’s to tell his stories – what a great storyteller he is!
Pilgrims Julia, ME and Tricia stop along the way to rest and journal as we make our way to the top of the Butte.	Through wind, rain, hail and sun we find our way to the top after a nearly 2 hour climb.  We seek shelter under the platform at the top until the rain and hail pass.  Do you know hail hurts?	A delighted bunch of pilgrims show their joy as they celebrate the climb and the arrival at the top of this most sacred mountain in this sacred land.