The drive from Custer, SD to Garryowen, MT took us through the majestic Black Hills and, later, we witnessed spectacular views of the Rockies and Big Horn Mountains. The 5 1/2 hour drive went by quickly because of the picturesque scenery. Wanted to get to our campsite in time to set up and visit the Little Big Horn Battlefield Memorial National Park. Made it to the park in time to drive and walk the 10 miles of tour road that weave through the battlefield. The area is so peaceful and the rolling hills and valleys so spectacular, it’s hard to believe something so violent went on here on June 25th and 26th of 1876. A paper guide and audible phone service educated us about the US Army’s 7th Calvary’s ill-fated pursuit of Sitting Bull and the battle that pursued when the Crow, Lakota, Cheyennes, and Arapaho retaliated in one of the American Indian’s last armed efforts to preserve their way of life. It is a memorial to both the 268 soldiers and (approximately) 31 Indians who lost their lives in this sacred place. At the beginning of the drive, there is a large monument with a graveyard where George A. Custer and his men were defeated and buried. Later it is “said” that Custer’s body was removed and reinterred at West Point. Across the road is an Indian Memorial built in 1993 to honor the ones who made their home here. Traveling the park is a very moving encounter and one we are glad we got to experience. Tomorrow we travel to another area of Montana, Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park.
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