Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 105

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 105

Mid-West 

5/26-27/09 Billings, Montana – Golfing, Riverfront Park,

Little Big Horn Battle Site, Pictograph Cave State Park 

Don and Carolyn took us golfing at a par three golf course located right in Billings.  The course was very unique due to all of the luxuriant green grass that was part of the fairway.  I had gotten used to scrubby, tough, short – if any – grass.  It was much different.  Don had an excellent game and I had one good hole.  Sam and Carolyn played well. We had a very good time.  Later, Sam and I went to Riverfront Park, where a small lake bulges off of the Yellowstone River in Billings.  The park was full of ducks and geese, including new hatchlings.  The walking paths and picnic tables were being well used and several people with kids were fishing. A nice park.

Just One Family

On Wednesday, Sam and I take off to the battle site of the Little Bighorn, where Custer met his end.  Sam and I are constantly being amazed that events that we thought happened ‘eons’ ago, actually occurred in his great grandfather’s day.  Not that long ago – and yet a technical age away.  We really enjoyed this historic area, including the fact that the park is no longer just Custer’s version, but both sides of the battle that occurred between Americans.  Markers are set out for all known battle sites and fatalities.  This is one of the sites where the American Indians, who were fighting for their way of life, won a battle. A self - tour (using information plaques and a numbered trail) allows you to follow the battles by purchasding and using a written guide. This allows you to ‘see’ the battle unfold over a large area of land.  We spend about 4 hours actually going through the park, not including drive time and lunch.  Lunch was at the Indian Trading Post café, and we had Indian fry bread tacos.  So-oh-so good.  We both recommend this and the price of the paper guide is well worth it. 

Custer And Soldier Markers

Native American Honor Art

On the way back to Billings, I talk Sam into visiting the Pictograph Cave State Park. As State Parks go, it is pretty small. Nevertheless, there are nice paths listed as a ‘light hike’ to the caves. Detailed signs make it enjoyable (and successful) in finding the various pictographs.  I have pictures, which helped as well.  One thing that Sam and I learned first in Arizona, then in Mexico, is that insects are used to make the color red. Both in the then and the now. The insects are also what makes the dye/paint very long lasting.  The whole point being the reason why the red parts of the old paintings, including cave paintings, are easiest to see. (Yuck!)

Pictograph In Red