Wide Open Spaces

With the Rockies in my rear view mirror, I pulled out of the Blackfeet Indian reservation. Before leaving the friendly town of Browning, I stopped by the Museum of the Plains Indian, where I learned much about Native American history from the tribal docent. Apparently there are more of the Blackfeet nation in the Pacific NW than on this reservation.  Also, interestingly, the tribe got their name from the color of their moccasins.

Becca has many days, probably even weeks of plains ahead of her. We’ve allowed ourselves 3 nights in a row of motels, mostly because there is nothing else out here. Last night was spent in Valier, a town with only 2 paved roads. We experienced a huge thunderstorm and orange skies, the likes of which we rarely see in the Pacific Northwest. Today, Becca battled strong, exhausting cross winds while riding the bike. At one point while resting and eating her lunch, the wind even knocked her fully loaded bike over.

We made it to Choteau, MT, a town known for its dinosaur fossils, rocks and minerals.  There was a history museum, exhibits of grizzly bears, local art, dinosaur fossils, and a great ice cream shop.  I found the original camper van--a sheep wagon, which shepherds used to live in while tending their herds. It had a bed, wood stove, bench and table, wash basin and plenty of storage; very much like my Nomad Moon van!