Montana to Michigan 2019 - Day 2

July 9 - Tuesday
Billings, Montana to Rapid City, South Dakota
Last night we discovered this small part of the Lewis and Clark expedition history and it fit right in to our scheme.

It is on the Missouri River a long way downstream from yesterday.

William Clark etched his name in the stone to lay claim to the area.

A few other Native American and other historical figures have done the same.

This guy could care less.

Heading up to the top of the Pillar. We have to get some exercise or we are really going to wimps the first few days of our bike tour.

Both interpreters were quite good and knowledgeable.

This compass is quite a bit different than the ones we used when we were working in the woods.

Looks like our timing was really good.

Lewis and Clark's separate paths came back together a few days after Clark left this spot on the Missouri River.

Replica of the canoes they used on this part of the journey.

Artwork in the visitor's center.

This is a bullboat that is made out of buffalo skin.

Back on the road.

Our next stop was the Little Bighorn Battlefield. This is the National Cemetery that is adjacent to the visitor center.

This interpreter gave a very animated and powerful talk about the day of the battle from both sides.

These are the stones marking where soldiers died.

The black one marks Custer spot though his body was buried somewhere else.

We were here about 20 years ago but must not have really read the names on this 7th Calvary monument because the upper most right name is Nathan Short. What a shock is was to see it. For those reading this that are not family, that is Donna's deceased father's name.

This Native American memorial was not here last time either.

Sitting Bull - Lakota chief

We were really glad that we took the time to visit here again.

Moving east again through the Rosebud River valley.

Getting gas in Broadus, Montana

Our route took us across the northeast corner of Wyoming. We in the state for about 20 minutes!

Now we are in the state were we plan to spend the night.

Little did we know that Belle Fourche is the geographic center of the United States. Did you know that?

The compass rose marking the center.

How could we not stop in Sturgis? We passed through Wyoming and Nebraska around the time of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as we cycled across the US in 2007. We saw hundreds of motorcycles and talked to a number of riders when we stayed at the same motels.

Dinner time!