Yellowstone 8/15/18 (Sheridan to Rapid City, SD)
Today is another early morning (departed at 7:30am) and an even longer tour day. First stop, the Little Bighorn Monument in Montana. As we were leaving Sheridan, a fellow traveler noticed a beauty salon with one of the best names ever: Curl Up And Dye! On the way to the battlefield we watched a film that discussed using current day forensic science to understand what really happened at Custer’s Last Stand, which is one of the most studied battles in history and still remains a mystery.
The landscape today was mostly rolling farmland with fields filled with hay bales. Both square and round bales were visible as far as you could see. Cattle and horses freely grazed in the fields. As we crossed into Montana, we learned that it has more elk than human inhabitants.
Entering the Monument, it is hard to miss the rows of white headstones. Custer National Cemetery is a part of the monument. It also is the only battlefield to have individual grave markers spread throughout the monument marking where both battle soldiers (white headstones) and warriors (red headstones) died during the battle.
For the tour, we had a local guide, Eric, board the bus and we headed out into the battlefield. Just after leaving the visitors' center, we crossed into the Crow Nation Reservation. Reaching the end of the monument road, we all stepped off the bus and Eric began telling the story of the battle of Little Bighorn and Custer's Last Stand. Although I have been to other battlefields, I have never had really been able to visualize the troop movements or the battle itself. Eric's presentation made the battle come alive, as he pointed out the specific landmarks, his descriptions made it easy to visualize the battle and understand its' significance in American history.
The Crow Nation was just starting their annual PowWow and as we left the monument, we were allowed to drive through the encampment. Following a quick pit stop, we continued our trek, heading towards Rapid City, SD. Lunch today was a boxed lunch. We each ordered sandwiches a few days ago, and before we left Sheridan, we picked them up. Passing out sandwiches on a moving bus was challenging enough, but we were only provided small tubs of mayo (think of those little plastic salad dressing containers that come with carry out orders) and not one for everyone. We moved through the bus, trying to balance ourselves as folks held out their sandwiches and plopped on some mayo.
Just before lunch, Deb passed out a scavenger hunt. There were several different categories of items on the list, some you were required to have in your possession and show to someone else on bus, some you only needed to see and others you needed to take either a picture or video of. The "hunt" would end before we reached Rapid City. Let the games begin!
The afternoon ride included a movie about the Crazy Horse Monument, on the schedule for tomorrow, and a pit stop that included a huckleberry ice cream sandwich. Although I'm not normally a sweet eater, I am learning to enjoy an afternoon treat.
Next up on the agenda, dinner in Deadwood, SD at Saloon 10. Located in the Black Hills, Deadwood was originally a mining town founded at the start of the gold rush in this area. Before dinner, the saloon puts on a skit that tells the story of Wild Bill Hickok's life and eventual death at the hands of a fellow poker player in this very bar. Glenda was selected to play a part in the skit. We were surprised at the crowd that arrived to watch the skit and, unfortunately, don't have a very good picture of Glenda's acting debut!
We had 30-45 minutes prior to the start of the show to wander through Deadwood. I used the time to work on obtaining some items for the scavenger hunt. I was able to get video of me arm wrestling with a stranger, convincing a stranger to hold my hand, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with a teenager and singing "You are My Sunshine" with a shopkeeper. We also got pictures of Mary and a guy wearing boots, someone on crutches, a mannequin and imitating a mascot. These are worth 10 points each....and don't accuse me of being overly competetive.
After dinner we headed to our final stop for the day - our hotel for the night, the Best Western in Rapid City. Before we arrived, Deb closed out the scavenger hunt. We added up our scores shouting them out as Deb asked for them. We won first place!!! Our prize was a lovely box of chocolates....and bragging rights! The perfect end to the trip's longest day.
Pictures 8/15/18
The landscape today was mostly rolling farmland with fields filled with hay bales. Both square and round bales were visible as far as you could see. Cattle and horses freely grazed in the fields. As we crossed into Montana, we learned that it has more elk than human inhabitants.
Entering the Monument, it is hard to miss the rows of white headstones. Custer National Cemetery is a part of the monument. It also is the only battlefield to have individual grave markers spread throughout the monument marking where both battle soldiers (white headstones) and warriors (red headstones) died during the battle.
For the tour, we had a local guide, Eric, board the bus and we headed out into the battlefield. Just after leaving the visitors' center, we crossed into the Crow Nation Reservation. Reaching the end of the monument road, we all stepped off the bus and Eric began telling the story of the battle of Little Bighorn and Custer's Last Stand. Although I have been to other battlefields, I have never had really been able to visualize the troop movements or the battle itself. Eric's presentation made the battle come alive, as he pointed out the specific landmarks, his descriptions made it easy to visualize the battle and understand its' significance in American history.
The Crow Nation was just starting their annual PowWow and as we left the monument, we were allowed to drive through the encampment. Following a quick pit stop, we continued our trek, heading towards Rapid City, SD. Lunch today was a boxed lunch. We each ordered sandwiches a few days ago, and before we left Sheridan, we picked them up. Passing out sandwiches on a moving bus was challenging enough, but we were only provided small tubs of mayo (think of those little plastic salad dressing containers that come with carry out orders) and not one for everyone. We moved through the bus, trying to balance ourselves as folks held out their sandwiches and plopped on some mayo.
Just before lunch, Deb passed out a scavenger hunt. There were several different categories of items on the list, some you were required to have in your possession and show to someone else on bus, some you only needed to see and others you needed to take either a picture or video of. The "hunt" would end before we reached Rapid City. Let the games begin!
The afternoon ride included a movie about the Crazy Horse Monument, on the schedule for tomorrow, and a pit stop that included a huckleberry ice cream sandwich. Although I'm not normally a sweet eater, I am learning to enjoy an afternoon treat.
Next up on the agenda, dinner in Deadwood, SD at Saloon 10. Located in the Black Hills, Deadwood was originally a mining town founded at the start of the gold rush in this area. Before dinner, the saloon puts on a skit that tells the story of Wild Bill Hickok's life and eventual death at the hands of a fellow poker player in this very bar. Glenda was selected to play a part in the skit. We were surprised at the crowd that arrived to watch the skit and, unfortunately, don't have a very good picture of Glenda's acting debut!
We had 30-45 minutes prior to the start of the show to wander through Deadwood. I used the time to work on obtaining some items for the scavenger hunt. I was able to get video of me arm wrestling with a stranger, convincing a stranger to hold my hand, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with a teenager and singing "You are My Sunshine" with a shopkeeper. We also got pictures of Mary and a guy wearing boots, someone on crutches, a mannequin and imitating a mascot. These are worth 10 points each....and don't accuse me of being overly competetive.
After dinner we headed to our final stop for the day - our hotel for the night, the Best Western in Rapid City. Before we arrived, Deb closed out the scavenger hunt. We added up our scores shouting them out as Deb asked for them. We won first place!!! Our prize was a lovely box of chocolates....and bragging rights! The perfect end to the trip's longest day.
Pictures 8/15/18
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