We left Devil’s Tower heading towards the start of the caravan to Alaska. Left Wyoming and entered Big Sky Country, Montana. We were off the interstate most of the day, so it was a change of pace with lots of open vistas.
We stopped at the site of Custer’s Last Stand at Little Big Horn or as the Indians call it the Battle at Greasy Grass. This is the site of the Indians biggest victory. Basically the Indians combined a number of tribes and it is believed they had between 1,200 & 2,000 braves versus General Custer’s 7th Cavalry’s 700 troops. The battle was in June 1876 and General Custer along with over 270 of his men were killed. There is a nice national monument. We visited the museum, sat through a presentation by a park ranger, of Indian descent. It was very interesting how the battle unfolded.
We then walked up to the hill where most of the soldiers died and then visited the Indian memorial site as well. We’ve been to a number of civil war battlefields and this one had the same feeling, but out in the open fields of Montana.
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| These markers actually show where these men died, none of them are buried here. |
We then headed to Billings, Montana to spend the night at a brewery, Canyon Creek to be specific. Great brewery. The parking laws packed by 6pm, very popular spot. Around 8pm a thunderstorm rolled through town, and we got to ride out our third hailstorm in a week. Fortunately, there was no damage from any of them. At 7am we woke up to an empty parking lot but a steady rain. Which we got to “enjoy” for the whole drive to Great Falls. Driving CC in the rain is less than fun, she handles great, it’s just more potential for things going wrong.
Plus, we get the added pleasure of pulling into our campground & getting set up in a steady rain, yippee!
The good news is, we are at the starting point for the caravan, Great Falls, Montana. The next morning, we met our “Wagonmasters & Tailgunner”. We got our orientation papers. We had our pre trip inspection and of course passed with flying colors.
Sunday was a free day so we we went sightseeing. Stopped by the Lewis & Clark Center and Mica got to learn about the Corps of Discovery. The most impressive thing was the discussion about the portage here at Great Falls. Lewis & Clark were anticipating the falls here, getting intel from local Indians. They anticipated a one-day portage. A portage is when they have to remove their canoes and all the gear from the Missouri River and haul it over land. Unfortunately, it was going to be an 18-mile portage around five waterfalls and instead of taking one day it took 30! To make it more challenging it was in an unusually hot June in 1805. They too got caught in a hailstorm, but in the open prairies with no cover. Brutal…
And these weren’t your little canoes. They were carved out cottonwood trees.
We then drove down the river road to see some waterfalls and then a nice picnic in the park.
Then to round out the day what do you do in Montana? You go see a mermaid! There is a hotel in town that has a lounge with mermaids swimming in a huge tank behind the bar, the Sip n Dip. So, we went. It was very 60’s feeling. The mermaid was entertaining, even playing “rock, paper scissors” with Mica.
Finally, Monday at the campground we had our orientation meeting, learning the procedures of RV caravanning. Plus, some idea on what’s in store for us and an opportunity to sign up for some optional side tours we can do. Wrapped it up with a nice dinner & travel briefing.
Tomorrow morning, we will cross the border, then the true journey begins!!!!!!!
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