Part 11: Little Bighorn National Monument (Custer's Last Stand)

To start at the beginning of our trip, go here.

Driving through Montana today, we stopped at Little Bighorn National Monument, which is the battle site of the infamous Custer's Last Stand. It would be more accurate to call it the Sioux nation's last stand. After being repeatedly pushed out of their lands and having their treaties broken by the United States government, it got to the point where the Sioux were forced to defend their survival. A large gathering of various tribes (Lakota, Nakota, Dakota, etc.) decided they simply could not give up any more. Custer was charged with treating them like a hostile force. In a series of poor military decisions and the fierce defending of their women, children, and life, the Indians massacred Custer's Company.

It was very impactful to me and Dave. It was haunting and tragic. Never before have I come to grips with how cruelly unjust the Indians were treated. The setting of the battle is still undeveloped, so it was an easy thing to imagine the soldiers, the warriors, and the collection of Indian tribes encamped. Ghosts were almost tangible.

There was a white marker where each U.S. soldier fell. They were scattered all over the hillside.

The view from the hilltop where Custer and his final 30 men fought and died.

Justin was amazingly interested for a 6 year old and completed his junior ranger badge requirements quickly.

A Lakota style teepee

We stopped for lunch at place that sold authentic teepees and Native American things. Justin loved playing in the teepees. Justin bought 2 arrowheads here too.

After the battlefield, we continued driving through Montana, into Wyoming, and to our final destination of the night: a Lakota teepee in the Black Hills, SD.

Another state line crossed!

The scenery in this corner of Montana/Wyoming is breathtaking. The sky truly does look bigger, and the clouds fascinating.

To continue on to Part 12 of our trip click here