Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Well, the drive so far has been going great. The Pathfinder has been doing well, the scenery has been beautiful, we have seen some amazing sights, we have not been pulled over by the police (knock on wood), Butch hasn’t lost his teeth, and then WHAM!!!!!!!!! About 4 miles south of Sheridan, Wyoming on I-90, a large deer bounds out of a ditch and slams into the driver side of the Pathfinder. His face sheers off the driver side mirror, his shoulder crushes the driver’s door, his haunches smash the rear door, and he spins around to bash in the rear quarter panel. The car still drives fine, but the entire left side looks like a wrinkled blanket, and we both have to get in and out through the passenger door. The video clip below was taken shortly after the impact.
After examining the damage and determining that the car could be driven without any problems, we continue our drive into Montana and visit the Little Bighorn battlefield. It was fascinating to drive and walk through the battlefield while picturing the movements of the cavalry and Indian warriors. The battle stretched along 5 miles of southeastern Montana hill country and markers are placed where each of the cavalry and warrior bodies were found and initially buried in shallow graves. The markers continue to show where they fell, but the soldier’s bodies were later exhumed and buried in a mass grave surrounding the “Last Stand” monument and the warrior bodies were removed and returned to their respective tribes. There is even a horse grave and monument to the cavalry soldiers’ mounts. The battlefield is now home to many roaming horses.
Well, the drive so far has been going great. The Pathfinder has been doing well, the scenery has been beautiful, we have seen some amazing sights, we have not been pulled over by the police (knock on wood), Butch hasn’t lost his teeth, and then WHAM!!!!!!!!! About 4 miles south of Sheridan, Wyoming on I-90, a large deer bounds out of a ditch and slams into the driver side of the Pathfinder. His face sheers off the driver side mirror, his shoulder crushes the driver’s door, his haunches smash the rear door, and he spins around to bash in the rear quarter panel. The car still drives fine, but the entire left side looks like a wrinkled blanket, and we both have to get in and out through the passenger door. The video clip below was taken shortly after the impact.
After examining the damage and determining that the car could be driven without any problems, we continue our drive into Montana and visit the Little Bighorn battlefield. It was fascinating to drive and walk through the battlefield while picturing the movements of the cavalry and Indian warriors. The battle stretched along 5 miles of southeastern Montana hill country and markers are placed where each of the cavalry and warrior bodies were found and initially buried in shallow graves. The markers continue to show where they fell, but the soldier’s bodies were later exhumed and buried in a mass grave surrounding the “Last Stand” monument and the warrior bodies were removed and returned to their respective tribes. There is even a horse grave and monument to the cavalry soldiers’ mounts. The battlefield is now home to many roaming horses.
The latest edition to the battlefield (completed in 2003) is the Indian memorial. It consists of an impressive stone spirit circle partially sunk into the rolling plains opposite but invitingly open to the cavalry monument. Upon the memorial’s interior walls, are panels of Indian art work depicting the battle, quotes regarding the battle, and the names of each warrior who died at Little Bighorn categorized by tribe. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the memorial, however, is the line of spirit warriors that seem to glide across the plains as if they were still riding into battle.
After leaving Little Bighorn, we continue our drive, pass through the Rockies, and spend the night in Missoula, Montana.
After leaving Little Bighorn, we continue our drive, pass through the Rockies, and spend the night in Missoula, Montana.
1 comment:
Bill & Butch:
This was a very interesting Blog of your trip. Very sorry to hear that you met a deer on the road!! That must of shocked you both awake! We are glad that you both are OK and hope that the rest of the trip is less eventful (in that department anyway). Mom is enjoying reading the Blogs as well.
Our Love,
Dad
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