Day Nineteen

Had a lazy lie in today, although the wind did it's best to make the cabin creek a lot during the early morning. I can report there were no bear attacks during the night.

We ate a leisurely breakfast, FaceTimed people, before getting ready and eventually heading out at about 11.30am. We decided to spend the day at one place, unfortunately that one place was quite far away.

Drove non stop for 150 miles, first back up to Billings and then along south eastwards to a famous river, The Little Bighorn. Eventually arrived here https://www.nps.gov/libi/index.htm

Pulled up and paid our entrance fee before making a dash for the facilities after a long drive. We then made our way to the visitor centre just in time for a 25 minute video to start. Unfortunately every seat was taken, so we waited for the next one to start in half an hour's time. In the meantime we looked at the exhibits and around the shop. Bought a fridge magnet as ever before making sure we got a seat at the next video showing.

By now it was 3pm so we decided to have lunch. We had made a packed lunch on the premise there would be no where to eat, which turned out to be a good call. Sat in the car to eat with the air con as the temperature had started to rise. Whilst doing this we looked through the literature to try and plan our afternoon. There were various ways to tour the battlefield and eventually we decided on a plan. First we went to look at the memorials. There was one for the US Army losses and then a newer one dedicated to the fallen Native Americans. Both were located on the hill famous for the last stand of Custer. Also there were stones marking the places soldiers had fallen including where Custer himself had died.

Memorial

Literally Custer's last stand....ing position

Native American stones

The tribes memorial sculpture

The tribes memorial

We went back to the shop and bought an audio guide on CD and then got in the car to drive around and listen to it.

This was all very well in theory but unfortunately we had reckoned without the fabulous audio system in the Tahoe. First of all when we started the car the audio stayed blank for five minutes. Eventually it came on and we inserted the CD. Then nothing happened for a while. Eventually it started and after five minutes froze. There was a map included so we started driving. Eventually the guide came back on but the idea was you listened to bits whilst moving and then other bits when you got to places. We ended up listening to a lot at the halfway point to catch up which meant we started to get bored with. We then headed back along the 4 mile road as it carried on before it froze with about five minutes to go.

At that point we just left deciding we knew enough about the battle. Custer ballsed it up. That sums it up.

We headed back the long 150 miles stopping only briefly for some more milk. Ended up in heavy rain as we hit the last forty miles or so. Witnessed an incredible piece of driving as we were doing 70mph (That was the speed limit) down a normal two way highway in the pouring rain when a guy towing a large RV trailer decided to overtake at about 80mph. No wonder there are so many white crosses by the sides of the roads.

Arrived back at the ranch at about 7.45pm. Having driven the 300 miles, I was excused duties and got to sit down and relax. Ann and dad produced a wonderful fry up including bacon you could snap in half. We sat inside as it was a bit colder than last night. Had more ice cream before Ann found Harry Potter again. Dad decided to play his favourite candy based game.

I am the only one now up and have just heard a bear trying to get in the kitchen window which for some reason had been left open with the smell of cremated bacon wafting into the night air. Managed to fight bear off and shut the window.

States visited - 7

Dead deer seen - 2

Live deer seen - roughly 11