We did a driving tour of the triangle to the North and West of Hardin, traveling up Hwy 47 to Custer, then I94 into Pompeys Pillar, then 312 on into Billings and from Billings, we took the scenic route, Hwy 87 which went through some hills and switchbacks. I'm sure it was the road between Hardin and Billings before the Interstate was built! I can't imagine driving it without a speed limit, as they did in the past.! Very narrow and curvy! Anyway, we took a few stops and visited some more of Montana's History. We started by looking at a famous rock along the Lewis and Clark trail called Pompeys Pillar. The story of some of the famed folks who traveled this way and left their marks and signatures on the famous Rock. Some such as Lt. George Armstrong Custer, Wm. Clark and the famed Indian Sacagawea and her infant son, who was nicnamed "Pomp", and thus the name Pompeys Pillar. We traveled on to the town of Worden, which is part of the Huntley Project..It's a valley of lush crops with 4 small communities. Pompey's Pillar, Worden, Ballentine and Huntley. Used to be part of the Crow Reservation but was purchased by the government in 1904. We drove the streets of Worden and stopped for gas. $3.65 today. Last week the Huntley Project High School was burnt to the ground by 4 disgruntled kids. They are answering in court this week, and are probably done for. As we took a couple of pictures, around back there were uniformed and firemen in gear on the scene doing investigative work yet this morning. They have hauled trailers in to hold classes in, and classes were in session today. Wasn't going to let them have any satisfaction of ruining school! Drove on towards Huntley where there's a Museum of Irrigated Agriculture. DH really enjoyed that. We didn't spend any time going through all the out buildings as we did in Hardin...But the main building was full of all kinds of displays telling the history of the beginning of the area up until the present. It's really amazing how these huge places run with volunteer help and on free will donations. They really do a good job. From there we drove on into Billings and went to the bank and had lunch. Then headed out on the adventurous scenic route to home...43 miles. We made it back here in time to stop downtown at a trading post which was mainly horse goods, and guns and lots of indian beading supplies and beaded goods. A couple of Indian Women in doing transactions and buying guns....They had more guns in there than I could count!!! The back room was full of them. I imagine many get sold and traded for money to buy alcohol and gamble.... A town with little casinos and really failing.

It was a cooler day today. Rain forcast, but we didn't get any! We spent the afternoon out at the Big Horn County Museum and Visitor Center. A lot like Pioneer Village but on a smaller scale. All of the pics are on my blog pics. DH really gets into some of this old Farm History, and this place boasts the largest wheat operation in the nation...through the land rented from the Crow Nation. There was a lot more to look at and those people do a fantastic job of maintenance and additions and it's all volunteer. Donations only. We enjoyed it. My dogs (feet) were barkin by the time we got through it and was going to stop downtown too and skipped that for today. We have quite a bit left to do in this area. Have decided to stay another week. Will drive out from here and keep touring around. Looks like the weather will be nice for the weekend. There's a huge RV Show in Billings this weekend, I'm looking forward to that. Nebraska is on ESPN this weekend also, so won't lack for something to do! It's starting to get pretty chilly this evening. Kicked on the Aqua Hot already. Will stay nice and toasty and not have to get up early tomorrow. Got mail today, so have filing to do in the morning. Enjoy my pics from today...if ya like history, and especially Indian History, this place is a gem. It is sad to see how some of today's Native American's live. It's even sadder, that they push crafts items and memorabilia and some is made in Bangledesh! Have decided after looking at the braided rugs today, that I want to learn to do that. My grandmother used to make tons of them and it seems to be a dying art. So that's something crafty that won't be too tedious to learn. We may go north on a driving loop tour tomorrow. We'll see what the weather is like.  

We took a real long ride today. From here to Ashand and back on Hwy 212, back by the Little Bighorn Battlefield and on east through the Crow Indian Reservation and also the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. We drove around the town of Lame Deer and out south on a highway looking for yet another famous battlefield, but didn't find it. Pressed on east to the town of Ashland, which was our targeted destination, to visit the St. Labre Indian School, museum and gift shop. We stopped and had a picnic lunch at a roadside area not for from the school, and spotted the site where they have celebrations and pow wow's. Sadly, the museum was not open. It is a beautiful school and church! We found that to be the case in every one of the towns that we visited, that their Health Centers, hospitals and Bereau of Indian Affairs facilitles and schools were very modern, clean beautiful buildings. The towns, businesses and houses were very opressed and run  down. DH took pictures today and we saw a lot more changing colors of the foliage and trees. It was 88 this afternoon and we think one of the last days of summer. We stopped back at the trading post by the battlefield on the way home and had some Indian Fry Bread and honey.  Kinda reminded me of a funnel cake. Stopped back here in Hardin at their museum, which looks like a miniature Pioneer Village. Picked up literature of what we will see. We are going back out there Monday, as it was close to 5 and we wouldn't have gotten a good start before they closed. Some history about this town. It was founded in 1907, the youngest and largest town in Big Horn County. Is the county seat. The town site was purchased from the Lincoln Land Company of Lincoln, Nebraska. C.H. Morrill, president of the company, named the new town Hardin in honor of his life-long friend, Samuel H. Hardin, a cattleman who came to this territory from Texas. We went out for a hamburger tonight and met a couple from south of Sioux Falls. They own a semi and were trucking through here. They have been to Alaska fishing twice and we had a real nice visit with them and will look them up when we are going back up that way.

We spent the whole afternoon at the Little Bighorn Battlefield Monument, Montana's National Cemetary, and an Indian Trading Post on the Crow Reservation. We took a 5 mile driving tour through the grounds of the vast territory where the conflicts and battles of the 7th Cavalry,led by General George Armstrong Custer, and the Sioux and Crow, let by Sitting Bull, leader of the Sioux Nation. The Story was told along the trail with readiing boards and written guides. Before we finished the tour....a feeling of reverance came over me, in that although these events happened over 100 years ago..  1876, it was a massive killing event. Over 250 soldiers and many indians perished. Also many horses and they were buried in mass graves! The only place I've been that the Indians actually won! It was very interesting. Kinda hot this afternoon and there were signs all over to walk with caution and stay on sidewalks because we're in Rattlesnake Country. One woman saw 2 laying across a path sunning and they had to walk around. DH walked one leg of the path..he saw a blue racer. I stayed in the car most of the time! Part of the land was private and gated with a cattle guard.. lots and lots of horses all over the pasture land. It's hard to believe that one man owns them all. DH didn't think they were wild...they looked too good. We didn't get nearly as far today as I wanted to. We will hit the visitor center and meuseum here tomorrow morning. I want to do some downtown shopping here in Hardin. Can't grasp what people really do for money here. Guess the Indian's are supported, there's a Gypsum mine and some small farms around here. Will take some future studying...and research. We will try to get to Garryowen and over through the Cheyenne Reservation in the next couple of days. I love the Indian artifacts and clothing. We saw some very beautiful beading and leather goods today at the trading post and in the displays. Pretty pricey...there were lots of stuff I wanted but too high! Hope I find some stuff at the other reservation tomorrow. I could redo my whole house! Plus lots of Jewelry and saw a wonderful leather beaded and fringed dress ceremony shirt for a mere $1800....! 

Sylvan Lake

Looking back on the past month.and a half..we have accomplished some of the things I wanted to get through and have left some to be visited on a return visit. We didn't go to Jackson and the South Entrance to Yellowstone. We didn't get to the Tetons, and we didn't get to West Yellowstone. I know the beauty is there to be had, but similar scenery and from what I hear of Jackson and West Yellowstone, very pricey! We traveled up from Casper to Thermopolis and spent a couple of nights at the Fountain of Youth RV Park outside of the town of Thermopolis. We went to the show there and saw "Mama Mia",Soaked in their Natural Mineral Pools. It was very warm and felt really good and relaxing, but I didn't feel any different. I have said before...I've fallen in love with the Wapiti Valley and most definitely want to go back there. Even with the smoke and the excitement of the Gunbarrel Fire.....it was breathtaking at times. The Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir is very unique. Just a very few miles down the road from our campground. I have thought back to the side trips and excursions....we didn't take any guided tours and I have my favorites. We tried to take in a variety of things and split up the activities so not to get bored. The Favorites are: Foods....Breakfast - The Irma Hotel, awesome buffet and Buffalo Breakfast Sausage. Lunch - Bubba's BBQ. Not as good as Famous Daves, but good brisket and good price. Place to stay, Yellowstone Valley Inn...A little too busy....nice facilities, very nice staff. Drives - Up Chief Joseph Highway and around through the North east Entrance to Yellowstone and down. Took a trip down 14A to Lowell and Graybull. Had the best Hamburger and Root Beer Float at an A & W drive in in Greybull. We followed the highway back to Cody and stopped along the way at the trail where one of the first Pioneers, Jim Bridger crossed the mountains. Fav. Surrounding Towns - Powell, Greybull. Favorite Museum - Tecumseh's Miniature Village & Authentic artifacts, weapons, wild west period clothing, tools and Indian artifacts and memorabilia. It was the absolute best indian goods collection that I've ever seen! Fav. Trading Post. The Ponderosa along the highway. I bought a stuffed bear and a walking stick! We took a drive on road 7CW that goes to the Cody Shooting Complex and wandered in so DH could talk to them about their Gun Club. They have an awesome facility , complete with skeet and indoor ranges. They have had help from the retired CEO of Dupont with donations. All is operated with volunteer help.  On beyond that lies 2 lakes that to hear tell are stocked with huge trout....seems to be a nice place to recreate. It was cold and raining the day we went out there. Our trips up into Yellowstone Park were always different! The first day the wind was blowing about 40 mph. The last trip we took, it was an absolutely beautiful day. No wind. We did see 5 bears total in one trip and 2 coyotes the other day (I still swear they were wolves!) Got our fill of Buffalo and deer, elk, mountain sheep and a Beaver. The waters are a real vivid blue. My favorite spot in the park is along Sylvan Lake. Smaller than Yellowstone Lake but more serene and not so many people. We stopped for lunch at the Cafeteria the day we traveled to see Old Faithful. Experienced a large variety of Multi Cultural Visitors in that one setting! Took in lots of Geysers that day and did lots of walking. Shopped in the General Store there and also in the General Store at Fishing Bridge. Don't know why they call it that, you can't fish from it!!!! There's still a lot left in that park that we can come back and explore another trip! We have also met some really interesting people and some we will keep in touch with. It sounds like we really did a lot. I guess we did, but we spent some down days too...just hibernating and hanging out. Most of the rainy cold days, we stayed home. I enjoyed that a lot more when we got our Aqua Hot Heating System Fixed. Now we don't need it! Got hot again. We've moved on...but most definitely go back!