Little big horn

Saturday 5/19 Day 29

Sleeping for the night

The battle of Little Bighorn took place in 1876 between several Native American tribes including the Cheyenne and Sioux and the US 7 th Calvary. Today I started my day exploring the battlefield in souh eastern Montana. And when I say explore I mean it, I was able to ride my bike and walk through the battlefield. There we're several memorials to both sides of the Americans, grave stones where each of the soldiers fell from both sides, and than a descriptive walk of one of the most intensive spots of the battle. The battle field was about five miles by two miles, so there was plenty to explore. To say the least it was a great history lesson and the park services did a great job presenting the materials. It was pretty hilly in he park and by the time I left the sun was at high noon! I left at about 12:30 to go to Custer national forest eighty miles away.
Most of my ride today was on the Cheyenne and Crow reservations. The only hardship I had to deal with while riding on the res were the dogs. None are tied up and they all just want to say hi to bikers. I had one today follow me for about two miles. No blood was spilled so it was ok, it was as if I took it for a walk.
As I came to the end of the res I came to a decent hill that took it out of me. It was at this point I realized I still had thirty miles left to the day. I put the fluids back in me and finished up the hill. It was a relief to have about six miles downhill once I got to the top. Oh at the top there was a fresh spring to get water, I did not know that at the time so I did not stop. Once I got to the bottom of the hill I passed a parked car that started up and slowly came beside me on my left. In the car were Kerry and Ryan who, while I was riding :), asked if I needed a place to stay tonight. Haha it was a funny dilemma in my head because I was going back to all the things I was taught and they were saying no don't go but my gut feeling I got was telling me yes do it.

Memorial for the Native fighters

We made a plan to met at the gas station in town, and then they took me into their house complex. When here I was welcomed with open arms, got a shower, food, and a place to stay. Kerry road her bike almost all the way across the USA three years ago, she is finishing her ride across his summer. So that is why she wanted to stop was to pay back the generosity she got on hr trip. I found out later that the passed me three times to be able to tell me:)

Graves throughout the battle field

A bit latter their friends Ashly and Kyle came over and we all chatted till midnight ish. Everyone except Kyle taught at the local school, Kyle taught as a substitute teacher :) so he also taught. We did joke about how Ryan and Kerry picked me up, thought it could work better next time if hey offered candy :). Ended the night sleeping on Ryan's and Kyle's couch, super comfy :).