Big Sky Country

Posted by Stan Harrington

Enjoyed a sunny day in the "Big Sky Country" of Montana. Only picked up 409 miles today and fell short of our destination, but it was a great day. Changed travel plans several times and took some of the smaller secondary roads. Today, we have driven 3,089 miles from our home driveway. Spending the night in Dillion, Montana and will continue on to Yellowstone National Park come first light.

Not only did we have a chance to see some beautiful mountainous country today, but really enjoyed the big pine forests. Discovered a lot of beautiful fishing areas, very impressed with the Bitteroot River and tomorrow we will take a look at the Madison River. Saw a good number of deer today and late this evening crossed a large cattle ranching area that also had a lot of Antelope and one coyote trying to sneak upon a couple of them. Also saw several flocks of Wild Turkey's, including one single hen with a brood of chicks. The chicks were about the size of domestic chickens. Thoughts of Thanksgiving crossed our minds.

Spent some today learning a little history of the American Indians, visited the site where the Nez Perce camped after fleeing Idaho. It is also the site of the Battle of Big Hole. Thinking that they were safe after fleeing Idaho,the Nez Perce camped. Several warriors wanted to back track to see if they were being followed. Chief Looking Glass made the decision that they were safe and the Army would not follow them. On August 9, 1877 the U.S. Army under the command of Colonel Gibbon attacked the camp. Both sides suffered losses, the Nez Perce went into the Yellowstone and then headed north to Canada. Colonel Gibbons did not follow due to his losses. Prior to reaching Canada, the Nez Perce were captured although a few did escape into Canada including Chief Kicking Horse.