Day 19 Writing On Stone

We were a little anxious to cross the border this morning. How much liquor should we have; are we allowed to take fruit; do we have too much cash; where’s our vaccination cards; will they confiscate my little succulent?! Well, the border patrol asked 6 generic questions and waved us through. No worries. Writing On Stone Provincial Park is quite primitive with just enough upgrades. The Visitors Center was creative and informative. The park boasts natural campsites with plenty of space and a beautiful view of the rocky cliffs out of our camper window. Walked down to the shore of Milk River which they call the “beach”. The river meanders through the mysterious landscape of sandstone “hoodoos” and steep cliffs. The Milk River was named in 1805 by Louis and Clark who thought its color looked like tea with milk in it. The Blackfoot Indians consider this valley a sacred place of spirits and “medicine rocks”. The area was an inland sea millions of years ago. As the inland sea retreated, different types of sediments were deposited. They were buried, compressed, and hardened into sedimentary rocks which make  the foundation of this land. If you are wondering what a “hoodoo” is, it’s a pillar of sandstone with a rock cap formed by water and wind erosion. The Blackfoot believed that anything that casts a shadow was a living being, so therefore, they called the hoodoos “rock beings” and were the focus of prayer. Tomorrow morning we are hiking the 3 mile “hoodoo trail” to visit the spirits.