Update from Missoula, Montana

April 29, 2010

Our last main post showed that gorgeous raiinbow from our campsite outside the badlands. Did we mention the MUD? There had been 3 inches of rain and everything was muddy. What a mess. However the next day we drove through the park seeing lots of wildlife on the way. We saw our first buffalo, bighorn sheep, elk,hundreds of prarie dogs and deer. The rock formations were incredible. It was a very stark and barren landscape but the colors of the rock were beautiful. It contained both rugged peaks and deep gorges. We were almost the only people in the park which was nice for Garry who was driving.

We then pushed on to Mt. Rushmore. We were very awed by it. I had always wanted to see this monument and I am so glad that we did. The N.P.S. maintains the monument and it is very tastefully done. We were driving up the mountain side when around a bend in the road you first see them. It was very majestic. Each face is 60 feet in length. The sheer magnitude of the task was mind boggling.

Then it was on to the Crazy Horse Monument. What to say - When completed it will be spectacular. However only the head is done at  this time and it is a little difficut to imagine the finished project. This is a private family endeavor that is being carried on by the children of the original sculptor.The family has built a large Indian museum, gift shop, restaurant etc. at the site and I feel it has gotten too interested in the commercial aspect and hasn't put the effort into completing the sculpture. That is just my opinion. It will be monstrous when done.The picture shows the sculptors model in the black - that shows the shape of what the mountain in the background will eventually look like.

We spent that night at a Flying J truck stop. The next day we pushed on to Yellowstone Park. We stopped at an information desk in Wyoming where we were able to post the quick update about the 100 mile detour we needed to take through Montana to get there. Montana is BIG. The hills are covered with scrub brush. We crossed the  Missouri river. Along this stretch we saw the small west coast deer everywhere. We also saw  our first wild antelope.