2019 08 10-12, Hardin MT, 2019 08 13-14 Livingston, MT

Hardin, Montana - 10 August 2019

Cattle Brands Rest Stop showing many different designs on local irons that aren't as familiar as others. And warnings everywhere to stay on paths to avoid close encounters with rattlers who inhabit the grassy areas. 

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Crow Agency, Montana - 11 August 2019

The 263 soldiers of the 7th Cavalry encountered several thousand members of the Lakota, Arapaho and Cheyenne on 25 and 26 June 1876. Fought along the ridges, steep bluffs and ravines of the Little Bighorn River, it came to symbolize the the clash of two vastly dissimilar cultures. Nine years before, many Lakota leaders had signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie which created a large reservation in present-day South Dakota where tribes were expected to give up their nomadic life. Other leaders like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse rejected the Treaty along with roving bands of hunters and warriors.

Tensions escalated in 1874 when Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer was ordered to explore the Black Hills inside the Great Sioux Reservation to map the area, locate a site for a future military fort and note all natural resources. Deposits of gold were discovered and caused an invasion of miners and others into the Black Hills in violation of the Treaty. The government attempted to negotiate the purchase of the Black Hills which was rejected by the Lakota. In the winter of 1875, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs required all Sioux to report to the reservation by 31 January 1876. The deadline came with virtually no response from the Indians and the military was called in. Three expeditionary forces were sent out from Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota under the command of Lt. Col. Custer.

The Indian Memorial, dedicated 25 June 2003, built to honor all the tribes defending their way of life at the Battle. 

   

This circular memorial is part of the redesignation of the park from a glorification of Custer's heroic fight against impossible odds to a more evenhanded review of the events, including the Indian side of the story. The Indian Memorial built near Last Stand Hill honors all Native Americans who fought at the what the Indians call the "Battle of the Greasy Grass (Creek)".

The Spirit Warriors stand above the circle which inner walls carrying the panels for each tribe which fought and lists their dead. Opposite the Spirit Warriors is the Weeping Wall where water trickles down to a pool representing the tears of the fallen warriors and soldiers. And centered perfectly within the Weeping Wall is the 7th Cavalry Monument. This Spirit Gate welcomes the fallen soldiers to enter the Memorial and join the fallen warriors in friendship: "peace through unity".

The mass grave of the soldiers of the 7th Cavalry. 

White markers locate the place where known soldiers fell during the two day battle. There are also several red granite markers which designate the location of a fallen Indian warrior. Few Indian locations are known because the family members nearby came and collected the bodies after the battle for ritual burial, leaving the dead soldiers as they fell.  

George Armstrong Custer, Brevit Major General (postumously), Lt. Colonel, 7th U.S Cavalry fell here, June 25, 1876.

Custer National Cemetery includes graves of known and unknown veterans of our nation's wars, including women and children from isolated frontier posts, Indian scouts, and Medal of Honor recipients.

Pictograph Cave State Park, Billings, Montana - 12 August 2019

The Pictograph, Middle and Ghost caves were home to generations of prehistoric hunters. Rock paints, called pictographs, are still visible and allows the visitor to imagine and contemplate the origins of human habitation in this area. The caves themselves were carved by forces of wind and water. Approximately 30,000 artifacts (stone tools, weapons, paintings) were excavated and allow researchers to to date when and which tribes inhabited the region. 

These hunters left behind artifacts and over 100 pictographs. The oldest rock art in the cave is over 2,000 years old.

The images of animals, warriors and rifles tell a story that has lasted thousand of years. Their interpretation is still subject to debate. 

Outside the caves, holes in the soft limestone cliffs has become home to a falcon family. 

Livingston, Montana KOA area - 13 August 2019

Absoroka Mountain Range highlighted our view from our campsite near Livingston. The Yellowstone River flowed along the back of the campground. 

Livingston Depot Center, Livingston, Montana - 14 August 2019

The historic Northern Pacific Railroad station built in 1902 as the launching point for travel to Yellowstone National Park. Even though service was established by the National Park in 1883, the third Depot reflected the apex of busy and graceful age of travel through 1979 when Amtrak suspended passenger service to southern Montana.

The Depot now houses historic exhibits of a bygone era of cross-country railroad travel, including this miniature of the country's largest wheel house built in Livingston for repairing and routine maintenance of railroad engines and cars.  

Conveniently located next door to the depot is the Murray Hotel and Cafe.

The upstairs rooms are dedicated to the movies which have been filmed in and around this area. Having interned in the editing room where my dad worked in St. Louis, I was thrilled to see an old film editing table. Different angle shots and sound were loaded on and marked for the final cutting. Some movies filmed on location near Livingston include: A River Runs Through It, Broken Arrow, The Horse Whisperer, Yellowstone, Rancho Deluxe, Wildlife and many others.

An entire floor of local railroad memorabilia brings home the extent that the railroad contributed to the citywide economy of the town and its citizens. 

Views near Farmer's Market, Livingston, Montana - 14 August 2019

Across the river, the mountains outside of Livingston.

A slower Yellowstone River and all along it we would see the River guides taking fly fishermen (and women) for world class trout fishing.

Mustang Fresh Food Restaurant, Livingston, Montana - 14 August 2019

A sweet reward of Quilcene oysters from Hood Canal (near Seattle) were fresh, meaty and tender. Quite the surprise for us in Livingston, Montana. I washed it down with a spicy Cock & bull Ginger Beer. Wish we had more days to relax in this area but Yellowstone (our favorite National Park) was calling to us.