The sacred site of Big Horn Medicine Wheel

My experience visiting one of the most sacred sites in the USA

On my last day in Wyoming was I able to visit the Big Horn Medicine wheel, an ancient Native American spiritual site where tribal ceremonial activity continues to this day. In fact, when I arrived a Sundance was going on at the site, so us non-Native Americans waited respectfully at the bottom of the hill until the ceremony was complete.

The Medicine Wheel has been a National Historic Landmark since 1970 due to its unique scientific research values. It's surrounded by 4,080 protected acres, used only for Native American cultures and practices.

The Bighorn Medicine Wheel is one of the largest and best preserved on the northern and northwestern Plains. It was the first medicine wheel to be mentioned in popular literature and the first to be studied by the professional scientific community.

Archeologists generally believe that the Medicine Wheel is a late prehistoric composite feature. A wood sample from one of the cairns at the site was dated to approximately 1760 A.D. by means of tree-ring dating. There are bone fragments, jewelry and fabric that have been left there over the centuries.

When I entered the site I was immediately overcome by the sacred space and the incredible ancestry and spirits that inhabited the land. Many leaders of various Native American tribes go there to pay to their respects to their ancestors, work with energy and connect to the earth. I definitely felt that being there.

I also met a man there who had traveled from across the country to bring gifts to the site from other Native American tribes that could not make the journey. It was incredible to know that while this Medicine Wheel may not be known to everyone, it certainly is throughout the tribes, and I’m so glad it’s preserved as a sacred space for those whose families have roamed the land so much longer than any of us.

It was an incredible honor to visit this sacred place and pay my respects to the spirits of this land, the people and culture whose lives were forever altered when the Pilgrims set foot here.

How is this my life?

When you start healing, anything is possible

Sometimes I see photos like this and I'm like, "how is this my life?" Then I remembered that I made this shit happen! Sure, traveling alone in my card for 6 months can be hard, lonely at times, has its ups and downs and for sure way more expensive than anticipated, but the reward I get in experiencing sights like this daily is incomparable and totally worth it!

I wouldn’t trade my travel experiences for anything in the world. I’ve said no to a lot of things this year and left a lot of people/relationships behind in order to put my dream and desires first. Traveling the world but especially exploring this beautiful country has been something I’ve wanted to do for so long, so I stopped waiting and made it happen.

So far the outcome has been totally worth it and I would do this over and over if given the chance. Do not trade your dreams for anyone or anything. Put yourself first. It always pays off and you will never regret it.

Cemeteries & Graveyards...what is the fascination?

Visiting the Civil War graves in Vermont

I’ve always loved finding old cemeteries. Every small town I drive through I always stop at the graveyards to see what is the oldest grave there. I found a grave from 1706 in a town outside of Austin. I found another family from 1809 that seemed to have all died within months of each other. Up north the graves are older, from the 1600s.

The way each country buries their dead differs by culture, but even in the US there are small nuances as to how each state buries those who have passed on. If you’ve ever been to Louisiana you’d see the famous above ground mausoleum graves, or personal family graves buried in the canyons of New Mexico, the meticulously laid out graves at Arlington cemetery, or here in New England, graves on the hillsides and forests.

Worldwide if you’ve ever visited gravesites or cemeteries you would see the differences in the cultures as well. In Asia there are many temples with graves. In Ecuador there are fantastic gravesites with white marble headstones dotting the hills around towns. In Europe there are graves in forests and mountains.

In the USA it’s hard to find truly old graves like that in Europe, but up in the New England area are some of the oldest graves in the country. I was able to find burial grounds from the 1700s, and found out that there were Civil War cemeteries on top of hills overlooking mountains., like those in these photos.

While in Vermont I spent all morning looking for the civil war graves buried by a beautiful lake. It seemed that no one really knew where they were, you had to sort of find them for yourself. When I finally did, it was breathtaking experience. All the graves are exactly as they had been, barely any upkeep, slowly allowing nature to take over.

I like cemeteries for their peacefulness, but also the juxtaposition between life and death. Here I am, a walking, breathing, vibrant human being, walking among those who have passed on, stepping on the ground that had become their final resting place. It makes me reflect on my life, what I’m doing with it, and what these people’s final moments were like.

Many think it’s macabre or wrong to enjoy cemeteries so much, but it’s more the feeling of the culture, of times passed, history gone by and the remembrance of how life is fleeting and all we can do to make the most of it, is our very best.

Visiting this cemetery in particular was such an incredible experience. I’m so grateful for this life and the ability to do things like this that I love, which give me so much joy, fascinating and intrigue for life!

When do you feel most free and like yourself?

When I was in New Mexico away from people, cities, politics, and distractions, it allowed me to figure out who I was, when I most felt like myself, what made me come alive and most importantly, when I felt most connected to my higher self.

There are always areas in our lives where we shine, when we feel most connected and most like ourselves. For me, that's being out in nature without anyone else around. The feeling of total freedom, being connected to mother earth, completely unafraid of anything, is the most profound feeling ever. I thought I was alive before, but I didn't really know what that meant until got rid of all the things I thought I needed to feel that way.

We're all different, and we connect to our deepest self and our hearts in all kinds of ways. I'm curious to hear from all of you: what makes you feel most alive? When do you feel most connected to your highest self? When do you feel most inspired and what contributes to that inspiration? Let me know in the comments below!