Custer Battlefield, Sept. 6-9, 2013

A view of Custer's Last Stand Hill

The Memorial on the Hill.

Custer Battlefield. One place on our list is the Custer Battlefield near Billings, MT. We know the events as they are told but being here puts it all together. It’s a very moving experience. The visitor center is the gateway to Custer’s Last Stand Hill. The hill is unremarkable except for what happened here. We walked to the top, marble markers scattered like bones over the hillside, marking the places where men fell. The drive along the ridge follows the events of the battle with illustrated plaques to tell the story. All along the drive are clusters of white marble marks on hills sides and ridges. We are following the men as they run with battle cries still hanging in the wind that always blows here.

Looking at the Visitor Center and the valley from the top of the hill.

The museum displays Custer’s clothing donated by his wife, memories from the native people who were there, reconstructions of the faces of Calvary men.  There are excellent ranger talks and film. It’s a lesson in the clash of cultures and why we fight wars. The reasons remain unchanged.

Markers for the Native Americans who fell here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Memorial to the Native Americans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something to think about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellowstone Again. We make a loop and head back for another drive through Yellowstone on our way to the Grand Tetons. It’s almost dark before we get to the Park entrance so we find a little state campground along the Yellowstone River. It was a nice find, very peaceful, and the next morning we’re greeted with the soft, shy colors of morning reflecting on the river and a flock of Sandhills.

We happy travelers are on our way down the road again. 'Till then.

Jackie