June 17, 2017:  Lots of travelling since our last post, with long days.  After leaving Lewis & Clark and Three Forks area, we traveled east to Little Big Horn National Monument.  Found a wonderful campground – 7^th Ranch Campground, at Garryowen, MT.  We highly recommend it – very helpful staff, immaculate, WONDERFUL showers, and they even allowed us to wash the motorhome and Jeep!  Plus free ice cream at check-in.  Arrived Tuesday afternoon, washed the rigs, settled in and were up and going early on Wednesday morning to Little Big Horn.  First visited a very nice museum at Garryowen, and spent the rest of the day touring the monument.  Did a guided tour with the Apsolooke Tribe – learned the name means “Children of the Large Bird”, which was translated by the French explorers into “Raven” and then by the English into “Crow”, which was the name used in the treaties with the US.  Hence the name “Crow Tribe”.  Took walks on several trails, viewed a very nice video, listened to a ranger talk, and did a self-guided drive tour.  The drive tour was very well done – they had signs at each view point with a cell number – you just called the number, entered the view point number, and listened to an explanation of what was at that site.  Very informative and easy to use.  Both the Apsolooke Tribe and the Park Service have done a good job of providing what seemed to us to be a balanced and historically accurate perspective of what happened there. 

And yes, there were snakes here too!  

Departed the next morning, and headed for Devil’s Tower via Highway 212.  We try not to travel the interstates unless we have to – the other routes are often more scenic.   Arrived at Devil’s Tower, walked the trail all the way around the tower – what a monumental piece of rock!  Visited the prairie dog town next to the campground, grabbed a quick dinner and hit the sack.

Up and out of the campground by 7:30 the next morning.  Grabbed breakfast at a little spot recommended by the camp host and headed east for Mt. Rushmore.  Went through a wonderful little town called Aladdin, with a general store more than 125 years old.  What a fun step back in time that was.  Even saw a camel saddle stool, Betsy Martin!  

On to Belle Fourche and Spearfish.  Stocked up at the Walmart, tried to refill Baxter’s anxiety meds, but they are no longer available.  So a quick call to Companion Animal Hospital, and a change of meds called in to the Rapid City Walgreens (Walmart was not at all helpful to the vet!).  On to Custer, SD via Spearfish Canyon – twisty, windy road but beautiful scenery.  The quaking aspens and black pines are so striking, as are the rock formations. 

Arrived at Custer, found a spot for the night at Big Pines campground.  Set up camp and made a fast run to Rapid City (pun intended) to get meds for Baxter.  Back to Custer, and to bed.