Indian monument at Little Big Horn

Yesterday we traveled to the site of a huge battle at a place called Little Big Horn. This happened in 1875 when the US cavalry led by General Custer fought with the Indians (led by Chief Sitting Bull) in order to persuade them to go back to live in the reservations where the US government had put them. They did not want to live on a reservation and resisted the soldiers. As a result of the fighting, General Custer and all his men were killed by the Indians. The only survivor was a war horse, who was found later injured and bleeding but managed to recover. The Indians won that battle but lost the war. They ended up on reservations anyway. The whole story of the battle was told with great skill by a ranger at the site; he made it so realistic you could just imagine it happening in front of your eyes. Markers have been put where all the dead soldiers were found the next day by other cavalry troops. At the top of the hill is a huge white monument with the names of all the fallen soldiers. The prairie landscape around the place is vast and majestic. It was quite an experience being there.

monument on top of the hill where the battle took place

Marker to remember an Indian warrior who died here

markers showing where all the dead soldiers were found

We spent the evening at a ranch near the Little Big Horn river. It was an active working ranch with horses and cows etc which also served as an RV camp. The landscape all around us was vast prairie

Prairie view from our campsite

Today we decided to take a back road as a short cut to our next destination. Not a great idea. The road was under construction for a number of kilometers and reduced to mud and ruts and one lane. We waited for over half an hour in the burning sun (at least 34 degrees)  to be let through at one point. Good thing we are in vacation mode!

never take short cuts!




We also visited a very strange landscape today called "devil's tower". It was a piece of rock that jutted up our of the landscape and could be seen for miles around. It had been revered as a spiritual place for the Indians for centuries and even today the natives come to this place every June for a week of ceremonies and rituals. There are trails around the rock and every day mountain climbers climb up to the top  of it. The top is about as large as a football field.

closer view of the tower

Strong!

We drove through the town of Stergis South Dakota. Next week for a whole week they will have a motorcycle rally at the town, much like Port Dover. They expect more than 500,000 motorcycle riders. We already saw many of them riding in today, since we are camped right near the town. I was amazed at how many women ride their own cycles. If I were a bit younger....... But I am sure it will be a real zoo next week so I am glad we are moving on again on Saturday