wakan tipi [part four]

WARNING: ADVENTURE @ YOUR OWN RISK

I was inside the sacred cave Wakan Tipi

I started walking though the cavern. The air was dank and  cool. The cave was dimly lit by shafts of light that emanated from openings in the wall. I crept by a few of the openings.

Soon enough, the cave became more expansive and the floor was wetter. This section was bright, mossy, and jeweled. I believe this is where the industrialists came and hollowed out a tunnel straight through the rocky cave for the old rails.

I continued walking and the path forked. I went one way but I came to a mysterious dead end. I stopped here because the water was dark and an unknown depth. Perhaps the great spirit was sealed by the industrialists behind this wall?

I came across a creepy snake as I stalked through the cavern. I threw a rock at it after snapping a pic and it slithered off into the darkness.

Eventually I found an exit. It had been covered with an iron fence.

I ripped my shirt on it when I tried to sneak by…

…I did manage to squirrel my way around though.

 

As I examined the exit, I noticed someone had left an offering on the gate. What mysteries does Wakan Tipi still hold?

I stepped away from the cave…

…and admired the cliffs nearby.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I came across a peaceful waterfall.

Then I saw an especially interesting cliff and decided to investigate.

I started climbing.

The sandstone walls of the cliff was covered in carvings.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I enjoyed admiring them as I went on my way.

And I quickly scampered up to the rocks.

Before I knew it I was at the top.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

So I took a few pictures and hit the road.

 

 

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS ADVENTURE

AND REMEMBER DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME

STAY TUNED FOR MORE FROM THE SKETCHY KIDS

THE SKETCHIER THE BETTER

 

 

 

wakan tipi [part three]

I entered the golden forest.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I took one last look behind.

Before entering into the woods.

I was a bit lost for awhile.

Eventually I found my way to a burned out old hearth. All that remained of the house was the foundation and this chimney. Who knows what may have happened here?

I continued on through the woods.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The path was marked with cool graffiti.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I came across a totem pole. I wondered who made it and why?

I crossed a fallen tree to stay on the trail to find Wakan Tipi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I began the last leg of the journey to the sacred cave.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It was a beautiful day.

I spotted the lake of Wakan Tipi in the distance.

When I looked closer, I saw the water was brackish and dark. The water seems tainted  and sinister, the air feels heavy.

Wakan Tipi was sealed by the industrialists when they destroyed the interior. It seemed possible to me the spirit had been corrupted into a monster, lurking beneath the surface of the water.

I stealthily examined the entrance.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I entered a small breach in the stone into Wakan Tipi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

LIKE AND FOLLOW FOR WAKAN TIPI PART 4

WAKAN TIPI [PART I]

Hidden in the depths of the Mississippi River Valley is a mythic cave. It is known to the Dakota as Wakan Tipi (the house of the spirits) In the old days an ancient spirit lived within its walls. When the railroad industrialists came to power they built rail tunnels through the cave to kill the spirit. I decided I needed to seek answers myself. My search began at the Indian Mounds Park.

The Mounds park is an ancient Indian burial ground atop a high hill. I would have to descend down and cross the rail yard if I wanted to get to the forest containing Wakan Tipi. There were eleven mounds in the past, but they were destroyed to make roads. Now, the remaining mounds are kept safe by Parks and Rec.

There is a statue of a mother figure overlooking the skyline.

The Airway Beacon is placed near the mounds in a strategic location overlooking the skylines of the Twin Cities.

I stood and examined the skylines for awhile. The two cities’ skyscrapers create the impression of an endless metropolis.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I looked down, planning my route across the railyard to reach Wakan Tipi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

And then, I was on my way.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.