Rainy Mountain

I've always kinda enjoyed this short essay. It's personal, simple and informative. He describes the land and its beauty, his grandmother and the Kiowan indians. I particularly like his references to Yellowstone National Park because of the connections I have in my life to the west. Summer 04, when I was 12, my family took a 2 month road trip vacation across the country. We covered pretty much every state west of NC except for Kansas..we missed kansas somehow. It was a very very long trip in a van and pop up trailer with my brothers being ages 10, 6, 5 and 5, but the sights and experiences were amazing and unforgettable! We spent two nights in Yellowstone because there was so much to do and see. The buffalo, elk, geysers, hot spots, and mud pots were the most unique things. No where else in all the places we visited could compare. This is the only picture from Yellowstone we scanned to the computer..Its a herd of buffalo and my whole family:) When we first saw them, for some reason, i yelled, "LOOK! Guys its a herd of moose!!" Yup I really did..not a very proud moment and I got picked on relentlessly about it.

The author mentions the legend behind Devils Tower according to his grandmothers people. While we were at Devils Tower that summer, the story was told to us and written in front of the tower. All along the base there were prairie dogs like no tomorrow. They were everywhere and they were all so cute. My dad and my brothers are the people in the picture...

I have read Rainy Mountain before in high school and I've enjoyed reading it every time. The reader gets a greater appreciation for the land and gets an insight to the Kiowan indians. The description is vivid, colorful, and captures attention. It paints a picture and brings back always fond memories that I am fortunate to have.