We managed to sleep a little later this morning. Rosalie accused me of tapping on her shoulder trying to push her out of bed while still asleep. I declared my innocence and my ignorance since I was sleeping. We got a leisurely start as it is “only” six hours from Rapid City, South Dakota to Red Lodge, Montana.
This was our day spent on I 90 west, paralleling the South Dakota border. We had our usual Google Maps, Apple Maps and, Waze’s bizarre and contradictory directions, but finally made it to I 90.
LITTLE BIG HORN NATIONAL MONUMENT HARDIN, SD. Perversely, on a summer weekend full of tourists, this closed at 4:30 p.m. It was the main thing I came to see having read so much about the battle, which was the Indians last major victory. Custer and his men were slaughtered. All we had time to do was see the graveyard and argue with the pot-bellied park ranger!
LITTLE BIG HORN NATIONAL MONUMENT HARDIN, SD. Perversely, on a summer weekend full of tourists, this closed at 4:30 p.m. It was the main thing I came to see having read so much about the battle, which was the Indians last major victory. Custer and his men were slaughtered. All we had time to do was see the graveyard and argue with the pot-bellied park ranger!
Turned out we were too leisurely. Hard to believe, but the National Monument to the Battle of the Little Big Horn closes at 4:30. We were able to see the very moving graveyard, each grave with its American flag waving in the stiff breeze. We had a quick peek at the small museum, but the officious park ranger wouldn’t allow us to drive a quarter of a mile up the hill to the monument. It seemed to us crazy that on a beautiful Saturday with tourists galore the monument would close at 4:30, and we made it plain that we were frustrated and angry. All they needed to have done was to tell us at the entrance gate that we had to be out by 4:30 and we would have gone straight to the monument on the hill. Now we are knocking off the last sixty miles of the day driving to Red Lodge. Oh well, it was my fault for not calling ahead.
MONTANA: in route to Red Lodge. Rolling clouds, heavy industry, a handsome red barn, the entrance to Red Lodge and a “Never Biden” sign!
Every mile closer to Red Lodge took us closer to the mountains. Red Lodge has the feeling of being tucked under them, especially entering town when the light was beginning to fade.
We are staying at the historic (i.e. old) Pollard Hotel, which is a heavy brick square in the middle of town. Before we registered though we noticed the eateries were jammed with weekenders and tourists, so we decided to eat before registering. After two or three no’s we got on the waiting list at the pizza place and had a good supper in a reconstructed eatery with photos all around of its former self.
RED LODGE MT: Waiting for a table for bunch, relaxing with John Kerr and his partner Beth, the tree amigos weighted down by good food and snow melt, gorgeous flower pots, and check out the second item on the menu!
After supper we took one of two handicapped spaces in the rear of the hotel, and following our established routine went and got a luggage carrier, piled it high with our luggage, and went to our large suite with a king size bed, a pullout sofa, and a big jacuzzi tub. Sarah did all the driving today. I was the documenter, and Rosalie the navigator.
Again, sleep came easily.