Lake DeSmet

Johnson County is about 75 miles, north to south. I've spent a good amount of time in every direction of Buffalo except North. Sure, I've been here and there, but not too far off the Interstate. It's time that changes. 

Not far out of town is Lake DeSmet. It is a mysterious body of water to me, as no creeks really flow through it. Geologically, it is an old coal bed that the earth above it sunk in after the coal seam burnt out. Two creeks feed into it, Piney Cr. and Boxelder Cr., but it is not necessarily by them being backed up that it is full. Anyway, more to learn. 

My main interest for coming out was to see the monument to Fr. Peter John DeSmet S.J., who may have been the first European to lay eyes on this lake in 1851. 

The monument faces the foot hills of the Bighorn Mountains. Spectacular country. 

Tom Hart, and his furry friend, gave me a tour of this neck of the woods. Our local Knights of Columbus Council is looking to do some repair to this stone monument. 

Fr. DeSmet came through Wyoming in 1840, and celebrated the first Mass in Daniel, Wyoming. Though this sign says 1840, it wasn't actually until 1851 that he celebrated the first Mass in, what is now, Johnson County. 

Good stuff. 1851 is 175 years ago from 2026. Sounds like a reason to celebrate, to me. We'll see what we dream up. For now, the guys want to clean up DeSmet's monument. Fr. Peter John DeSmet S.J. has been called the Apostle of the Rocky Mountains. That's a cool handle. I look forward to getting to know this guy more in this significant year for our Nation and our County. Let's ranch.