MONTANA

Leaving South Dakota by driving through the center of the nation (Belle Fourche, SD) and heading north to North Dakota to check it off our list, we viewed vast openness and fields and hills with cattle and wild prong-horned deer for over 45 minutes.  Occasionally we would view a unique setup of corrals that are used for loading cattle onto the trucks.  We knew we were approaching more cowboy country!

It didn't take long, and we were in North Dakota.  It was a lunch 'n' laundry stop for us before heading due west for Montana.  It turns out that we were part of Lewis and Clark's trail for most of our journey westward on I-94.

We stopped for the night at a cozy campground in "Big Sky" Montana before taking off early the next morning to sightsee as we headed to Wyoming.

Cottonwood trees were in bloom and a lovely sight to behold since we don't see many of these where we live.

Our first stop was a fun place called Pompeys Pillar where we saw Clark's signature on a huge rock there.  We had incredible views of three mountain ranges (Bighorns, Bear's Tooth, & Bull) and of the Yellowstone River.

Walking towards the entrance, we enjoyed watching yellow-bellied marmots scurrying around on the grass.

We saw another when walking a different path:

Visitors' Center:

Notice the woodcutter below?

 Youngest Child dressed up and joined the Corps of Discovery!  :)

Back outside to walk the trail to see the signature...

There were also pictographs on the rock where Clark signed his name:

We climbed 91 steps UP to see the signature and 

an additional 98 steps to enjoy the gorgeous scenery.  

 That is the rock WE ascended, too ..........

Little Bighorn Battlefield

We watched a short documentary on the history of the battle and then trekked up to the memorials.

Indian Memorial is on the left, and the 7th US Calvary Memorial is on the right:

First we walked to the Calvary Memorial ....

Behind it is the cemetery of the soldiers:

Custer's is obvious in this picture:

Continuing on the trail took us to the Indian Memorial:

There were occasional tombstones near the Indian Memorial as well.

Custer National Cemetery is also at this location.  Servicemen from all wars through Vietnam War are buried here.

God bless America!