national bison range | montana

Take me home to where the buffalo roam! I finally made it up to Glacier National Park, but first I had to stop and see some Montana buffalo! (really big cows with horns!)

 I bet you've never looked this closely at a bison's butt before!

the battle of little big horn national park | custer's last stand

My first stop in Montana would be to visit the The Battle of the Little Bighorn National Park, known to many as Custer's Last Stand. This area memorializes the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry along with the Sioux and Cheyenne in one of the Native American's last armed efforts to preserve their way of life. On June 25-26, 1876 Lt. Col George Armstrong Custer led the U.S. Army of 12 companies of the 7th Cavalry along a ridge above the Little Bighorn River, where they were wiped out by bands of the Lakota and Cheyenne warriors led by such men as Crazy Horse, Lame White Man and Gall. Custer and 262 soldiers, scouts, and civilians attached to the 7th U.S. Cavalry fought at least 1,500 Cheyenne, Sioux, and Arapaho warriors. Custer and all his men died.

Custer's defeat is recognized as one of the all-time greatest victories led by American Indians.

In a true act of selfish neglect, in 1946 the “Custer Battlefield National Monument” was established, with no recognition paid to the courageous American Indians that lost their lives fighting to preserve their land and culture. In and effort to bring "Peace through Unity" and "encourage peace among people of all races", On Dec. 10, 1991, President George H.W. Bush signed a law renaming the landmark "Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument".

It's now time to tell the world that we made a mistake in denying American Indians equal and fair honor on the battlefield ~ Rep. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (D-Colo.)

1n 1999, red specked granite memorial markers were aded to represent The Indian Warriors that died. Now, both red and white marble markers dot the ravines and hillsides representing where soldiers and Indians fell.

Ultimately, our westward expansion into the Northern Plains would dismember an entire culture. A ripple of sadness lingers over this beautiful, rolling landscape.  

i love you montana xoxoxo

Currently in Bozeman getting an oil change so thought I would post a quick update!. I'm heading up to Glacier momentarily. Parts of Glacier close the end of September so I'll head there then double back down through Wyoming!

This picture cracks me up because I look like Godzilla next to that sign!! This is not photoshopped! True highway sign with me standing waaaay in front of it pointing!!! Total trip :)

hello montana !!!

That's us crossing over from WY to MT!!!Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

devils tower national monument

On my way to Bozeman, I made a pit stop in the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming and camped in the shadow of Devils Tower. To all of my fellow campers out there, stay at the KOA! Devils Tower stands a menacing 1,2367 feet above the surrounding terrain and the summit is 5,112 feet above sea level. To help put it in perspective, the peak is the size of a football field!

Devils Tower is an incredible site to see. The colossal monument is awe-inspiring pilar representing the incredible power of our natural eco-system. The Tower unfurls front the earth as if the ground erupted. Extraordinary. 

Devils Tower is this country's first national monument. Established by President Theodore Roosevelt on Sept. 24, 1906

Geologists agree that Devils Tower was formed by the intrusion of igneous material; however they can not agree on "how" it was formed. Some believe it is the remains of the molten rock that "didn't surface", while other believe the Tower is the result of a large "explosive" volcano. I have no thoughts on the subject either way, other than the fact it's very cool! ;) 

(A close-up of the columns). American Indian legends tell of six Lakota Sioux girls who were picking flowers when they were chased by bears. Feeling sorry for them, the Great Spirit raised the ground beneath the girls. The bears tried to climb the rock, but fell off, leaving their scratch marks on the sides. The Lakota Sioux Indians refer to it as Mato Tipila, which means “Bear Lodge”. It's still considered a sacred site for native americans.

The Tower's most important role in history is that of the landing pad for aliens in Steven Spielberg's 1977 blockbuster "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"! :) 

the badlands | south dakota

As I drove into the park, I was completely silenced by the landscape (yes, I actually turned off Garth Brooks). It's incredible. I knew The Badlands would be a spectacular sight, but never envisioned anything quite so surreal.

The Badlands, located in southwest South Dakota, is one of mother nature's most spectacular masterpieces. It envelopes 244,000 vast acres of sharp crested buttes, clay canyons and sweeping prairie vistas. I would suggest arriving midday and staying through sunset, as the light and shadows that reflect off the terrain is breathtaking, and if listen closely, you'll here the echos of the Paleo and Lakota Sioux Indians that once called this land home.

Perfect spot for yoga too!  SEE MORE PICTURE HERE!

2 months on the road | badlands & mt. rushmore !

As I sit here typing under a veil of whispering ponderosa, with the crisp smell of Autumn enveloping the air, I consider myself one the luckiest people in the world. 

 

I rolled into South Dakota this past weekend, just in time to celebrate my two month "on the road" anniversary. I've dreamed of visiting South Dakota and Mt. Rushmore all my life and it's hard to believe I'm actually here. I feel an overwhelming sense of purpose and pride. Perhaps it's the circuitous path I took to get here, paved with hope, faith, determination and a lot of left turns that has made this moment so spiritually gratifying. I just want to wrap my arms around the mountain and give it a big hug. MUAH!

 

I've learned to slow down, and surrender. Just BE. We are only limited by our imagination. We all have hopes and dreams, wants and desires. While some are unattainable (like being backup tambourine girl for Neil Diamond), others are within our reach. Maybe you want to learn French, knit a blanket, or sail around the world. It doesn't matter how big or how small, it's your dream, go after it! I encourage you to leap. Dare to fly. Don't be afraid to start a new chapter. Make a plan. Take baby steps. Broaden your thinking. It's never too late! And this is proven by Ron, my new 69 yr old friend heading out on a 6 month adventure across the country in a tear drop camper in April – finally living his dreams. 

 

Sometimes your story will write itself, but you need to be open and wiling to take risk. I never anticipated my journey would include a camper?! Say what?! I'm traveling across the country in tin can teardrop trailer with my camera, yoga mat, bean bag chair, computer and a Chihuahua – among a few other less important things. How did this happen? I have no idea, but I wouldn't change a day or second of my new life. I couldn't imagine seeing the country any other way. In some crazy cosmic way, I feel like the universe has guided me here, to this place, this moment in time. 

 

Winter months will be creeping in soon, so I'll be making my way to Montana in the next few days before it gets too cold. I've dreamed of meeting Montana all my life, even more than Mt. Rushmore. Hopefully I can wipe my happy tears away long enough to actually see it!

 

Live the life you've imagined. ~ Henry David Thoreau 

 

 

MT. RUSHMORE:

My heart raced, and my grin permenant, as I stood in awe of our founding fathers. Carved in 400' thick granite, preserved in time, their story of strength, courage and fortitude is a powerful reminder that anything is possible. I can't believe I'm here. 

(The picture below of me picking Abe's nose is pretty funny! - sorry Abe!)

SEE MORE RUSHMORE PICS HERE!

Hello Mr. Presidents! So nice to finally meet you! 

 

crazy horse memorial monument | south dakota

"My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes, too."

These are the words Chief Henry Standing Bear wrote to sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski in 1939 urging him to visit the Black Hills and carve a mountain sculpture honoring American Indians.

Fifty-five years after Ziolkowski began carving Crazy Horse Memorial, his family continues the dream and work progresses on the world's largest mountain sculpture. When finished, Crazy Horse will stand 641 feet long and 563 feet high.

I think this helps put it into scale!

How it will look once completed. As your driving north on US-16 E, remember to look to your right! It's awe-inspiring even now, unfinished. 

I was lucky enough to be at Crazy Horse on Sept. 5 for their biannual "night blast", which celebrates what would have been the 102nd birthday of Korczak Ziolkowski, the original sculptor of the Crazy Horse mountain carving. Sept. 5 also commemorates the death of Crazy Horse! 
It was SUPER windy and cold. Looks like Lulu is about to fly away.

the black hills: mount rushmore | crazy horse | badlands

This trip has taken an incredible turn. I'm living moments I've been dreaming of all my life. This feeling is so powerful it's hard to describe. I've never experienced anything like it. I'm so moved, all I can do is cry at times.

What are your dreams? Please don't wait til it's too late. I know it's cliche, but life really is too short. Do whatever you can to make your dreams come true. I want everyone experience this feeling.

Will update pics soon... xoxoxoxo  Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

go west young man !

Here's where I am (Sioux City, SD) and there's where I'm going, the Black Hills! I have a 6 hour drive ahead of me so better get moving (longest drive yet)! I'll update once I'm settled in Custer!