Everyday, we head out to see the beautiful landscapes and learn some history about the West. Today was Little Bighorn Battlefield and from the minute I got out of the car next to the National Cemetery there was this sad feeling (I don't handle death well and am often overwhelmed in cemeteries) but this felt exaggerated. Walking up to the monument and seeing the stones where the men fell was eye-opening and heart-breaking. Reading all the accounts of what happened seems like such a tragedy on both sides. I noticed walking around it was different than all the other historic or tourist sites we have seen this trip since no one really spoke above a whisper and there was an overall heavy feeling. It was still beautiful and you can see why everyone wanted to be there but it was a very solemn experience.
Just a portion of the National Cemetery.
These are stones marking where the soldiers fell. Custer is in the middle of the field and shows he fought and stayed with his troops.
This is the monument for the soldiers.
This is the Indian memorial.
On our way to Billings we saw a sign for a National Monument and decided to check it out. Pompeys Pillar looks like a large flat top rock formation from a distance. When you get closer it is 150 feet tall and is close to the Yellowstone river. The interesting part is William Clark named it after Sacagawea's son, who he called Pomp. William Clark climbed the rock and wrote of it in his journal, even signing and dating the rock. They have added stairs and the climb to the top was kinda tough but worth it since the view was impressive. It's a really neat little piece of history and a nicely done visitor area.
W Clark July 25, 1806
View from the top.
I conquered all 215 stairs on this 90 degree Montana day.
