Northwest Rolling Adventure

Monday, September 5, 2011

Day 13 & 14 - Bozeman, Montana

Museum Entrance

Sunday, Sept. 4 (day 13) was a driving day and a day to chill out after we arrived at our campground. We stayed for 3 nights to get some time "off the road" for awhile. It was good to relax. Donna made steaks on the grill and we watched TV at night. On Monday (Labor Day - "Day 14") we visited the Museum of the Rockies. This is fantastic museum and one of the many highlights of our trip. See attached pictures. Inside the museum was a planetarium as well an incredible display of dinosaur bones, palentology exhibits, an Indian cultural section, an early 1900's antiquities display and a special exhibit on frogs from around the world. Outside the museum was a late 1800's farmhouse complete with garden, well pump, spinning wheel and people making bread in the kitchen.

Pleastisaures - Similar to the Loch Ness Monster myth

Triclopteraus (Spelling ??

Adult and Baby T-Rex Skulls

The frog on the right is the most poisonous animal on Earth,
more deadly than the most poisonous snake. One touch of his skin
and you're history.

1800's Farmhouse

Donna standing in the sunflower field

Kitchen - Complete with helpers

Bedroom and spinning wheel to make clothing

Original Sears Roebuck catalog

Water pump at the back of the house.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Day 12 - Theo Roosevelt NP & Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument

Scenery Within the National Park

Some books about Roosevelt that I liked

From Rough Rider to President - I like this guy


This was his home on the range. He was the first conservationist President and was responsible for creating many of our current National parks, forests and monuments. He was also responsible for the establishment of the Panama Canal.

Now we are in Montana and visiting the Little Big Horn Battlefield
National Monument. This was a typical Indian garb during the time.

This was the typical 7th Calvary that fought the Indians in the battle.

This is one of the graveyards of the fallen soldiers and Indians.

This monument is in memory of the battle and is the exact point
of Custer's Last Stand. This is where he was killed in the battle.

This is the Indian memorial at the park.

More of the Indian memorial.

Memorial to Chief Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse

National cemetery at the site.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Day 11 - Devils Tower, WY

Today (Sept. 2) we drove from our campground in Keystone, SD to Medora, ND via, Devils Tower, WY. We did a 1.3 mile hike around the tower. This tower is a natural geologic wonder standing over 800' high. It was the first National Monument. This first picture was taken as we approached the tower. The subsequent pictures were taken as we got closer and eventually at the base of the tower.

There were people climbing the mountain while we were there.

After the hike we headed north to the
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Day 10 - Cave of the Winds & Reptile Gardens - South Dakota

Today we spent the morning driving through the Black Hills of South Dakota, stopping along the way to check out the prairie dogs, like the one on this picture, as well as bisons, antelope, etc. One of our destinations was the Cave of the Winds National Park. We took a 1-1/2 hour cave tour (very different cave than Carlsbad) and then headed back to the camper for lunch.

Prairie Dog Hole

Entrance to Cave of the Winds

This small hole in the middle of the picture was the original entrance to the cave.
A small person can fit through it. Park rangers are required to enter here as
part of their orientation to the park.