Ididaroad travelers update

[Liz]

This is catch up night, camping at Wal-Mart again and running the generator. Here's a review of our travels in SD & WY.

Before leaving South Dakota we stopped at Belle Fourche (pronounced Foosh), which is the official geographic center of the United States.


Here’s the marker:


And surrounding it is a plaza flying the flags of all the states.


Then on to Wyoming where we stopped at the historic Aladdin General Store. The population of the town is 15.


Inside the store downstairs:


Upstairs.


Sign inside.


Next stop was Devil’s Tower National Monument where we spent the night at the campground.


From a distance.


View of Beth entering the park….she keeps complaining about me taking pictures of her backside, and here I go again.


A large “town” of prairie dogs live at the base of the tower. The babies were cute.


Carol at our campsite.


Bandit at our campsite…he didn’t want to be left out.


We saw many climbers on the tower. Here’s a close up of one.


There’s a paved trail around the base of the tower, so we took an afternoon walk around.


Here we all are at the halfway point.


In the morning Beth and I hiked the “Red Beds Trail”, while Carol stayed with the children/pets. We saw a red fox, but he was too quick for a picture. View from the trail.


Looking back at the trail.


Trail up


This turkey poked his head over the hill just as we approached.


Trail down.


Sculpture at the campground entrance. Beth will explain what it means in her blog, I’m sure.


Today we met up with Bob from the ORS forum, so now we are 4 (people, 3 rigs)

[snowball]

did you go past the 'town' that is population of think 1? Karen may know....not sure what route you took to get to devils tower this town is in WY south of Gillette I think haven't been on that road for awhile
Sheila

[Redetotry]

Great pictures and information Liz thank you. Aladdin looks like a place that time forgot, and it is amazing what sells. Red Beds Trail looked like a beautiful challenge. So nice you are all together to share the experience.

[rvgrammy1953]

Great Pics, Liz...so enjoying your travels.....My sister lives in Thermopolis, WY....just south of Yellowstone.....beautiful country!!!

[Liz]

Here’s our trip so far in Montana….
Free camping at a National forest cg


We arrived at the site of Custer’s Last Stand in time for a special Memorial Day ceremony at the Nat. cemetery there.


From the battlefield looking up at last stand hill. The markers show where soldiers’ bodies were found. Most are buried in a mass grave under the monument at the top of the hill. Custer is buried at West Point.


This sign was on the trading post across the street.


Beth found Pompeys Pillar on the map and we found out it was a significant site on the Lewis and Clark trail. Clark’s expedition followed the Yellowstone River on the return trip from the Pacific. In his journey, he named this landmark after the Indian Sacajawea’s son, Pomp. He spelled it “Pompy’s Pillar”.


Especially significant is that he engraved his name and date on the rock and the signature still remains.


It is preserved under a glass frame.


Liz, Carol, and Beth at the top.


Beth and Peaches ready to go.


A marmot living in the rocks.


Free campsite at fairgrounds in Roundup


In the morning we took a scenic route through the Little Belt Mountains. There we encountered a real roundup. They used 4-wheelers to make a path through the sheep so we could drive through, but you had to keep up or the sheep closed the gap between you. We got yelled at for pausing to take pictures.


I was driving, so asked Carol to take pictures while we drove through. She got this great butt shot.


As we drove higher into the mountains, there was still unmelted snow.


We stopped to follow this rushing stream to two waterfalls.


The main waterfall


Peaches playing in the snow


Liz playing in the snow


We got a call from Bob saying he was at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Ctr in Great Falls, just as we were passing the sign for it, so we joined him there. We watched a film about Lewis and Clark’s portage over not one, but five waterfalls.


A pair of Orioles outside the window.


Overnighted at Walmart where we’ll grocery shop, then try to convert some cash to Canadian, and head toward Glacier NP to meet up with our last member, Ron.

[Cedar518]

I hope there are markers where the native americans fell, too! It's amazing that the signature in the rock has lasted without vandals ruining it. I'm so glad. Thanks for posting pics along the way,... it helps all of us still at home!

[AlmostThere]

I so wish I was there! What a wonderful adventure you are taking us on and you haven't left the country yet! I'm sure looking forward to "the rest of the story". Thanks and God speed!

[carold]

I'm having fun following you gals-and now G&G's on the ididaroad journey. Have been to many of those places and know you are having quite a time. Liz, you take great pictures and am just sitting back enjoying the journey. Guess if I want Beth's perspective, I'll have to continue reading her blog. See you downtheroad. carold

[Sparkle]

Liz, Beth ought to be used to pictures of her backside. I specialised in it. Devil's Tower brought back memories. That was the first trip DH, Son and I ever took. Son was about 8 years old and as we hiked to the base of the Tower he turned round and said, Mom, can you smell the Nature? He must have been enjoying it because later on the trail he said, When I'm grown up I'm going to bring my children here.

[bluepinecones]

I so enjoy tagging along on your adventure. Thanks and keep those photos coming.

[Nasoosie]

Sparkle, isn't it amazing what little off-hand comments throughout the years are the ones most lasting and poignant? Our minds just latch onto some really great moments to relive forever.

[mtngal]

Thanks Liz! Devils Tower is so interesting. And on my bucket list is The Lewis and Clark Trail. That signature on the rock is so cool!

[retiredhappy]

I love the pictures but WHERE'S BELLE?

The Lakota story of how Devil's Tower was formed is that two Indian girls were out berry picking and came across a big bear. They ran and it started chasing them. They jumped on a small rock and said a prayer to their Gods to rescue them. The small rock began to grow and grow, taller and taller. As the rock grew taller protecting the girls, the bear was clawing at the rock and that is what formed the grooves in the tower.

[BirdbyBird]

Can hardly wait till tomorrow......Thanks and more thanks...

[Paulette]

Nice Sheep Butt shot...believe that is a first for me!