Buffalo Jumps and Lewis and Clark

As we traveled to Alaska there were numerous sights leading to First Nation and/or First Peoples Buffalo Jumps. The concept intrigued me and when I read about them it amazed me ; how sad for the buffalo, yet how smart for the hunter(s) to make the best use of their tribesmen. In the prairie land here in Montana, the First Peoples Buffalo Jump is a state park in Ulm, right outside of Great Falls. The park is over 1400 acres and sits at an elevation of over 3700 feet. They have an awesome visitor center and interpretive trails that tell the story of the people, the animals and the landscape of the buffalo culture; in an effort to pay homage to the buffalo and the people who honor this mighty animal. For hundreds of years, Indians stampeded buffalo over the mile-long cliff, while honoring the sacrifice of each animal, utilizing every part for food, clothing and shelter. It was a humbling experience to look out over the cliff and visualizing the land full of buffalo. It’s interesting how the buffalo relied on  prairie dogs and looking out at the prairie dog ‘town’, I could see why, as they ‘barked’ sending the alert we were coming.
Here’s some pics of some awesome sights:
One thing about Montana, everything is down a LONG and winding road
 
These are from the very realistic and awesome interpretive center
      
I take pics of the signs so I can read them later
 
I didn’t need to read this one!
 
Here’s some prairie dogs announcing our arrival
 
Read these!
 
This is the cliff
 
This explains how they depended upon each other

Interesting sight on the way out, 1 horse, 1 cow in the far corner of thousands of acres of wheat fields

Once we finished at the Buffalo Jump, we took the girls back home and went over to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. As I’ve said before, I was not much on history and the more I learn about the old west and the history of the US, it is enlightening and sad, yet amazing at what gumption our forefathers had. This Center was so well organized and had such wonderful hands-on learning, I wish my grands and great-grand were here to see it.
Here’s some pics:
(Note: National Historic Site, free admission with Sr Pass!)
  
 
I love the fly swatter

This is how they measured
 
I didn’t realize how much Sacagawea helped with the expedition

When they couldn’t follow the river, they fashioned this to ‘roll it’ through the land
     
They eventually found the way to the Pacific Ocean and the rest is history; but the details of the adventure to find the Pacific is truly history. They identified animals, plants, drew maps and made friends with the peoples of the land. It was a pretty humbling  experience.
All in all, we had a pretty good day. Missed my nap doing this blog, but that’s OK, I have to try to get this stuff down while it’s fresh in my head. Tonight, we’ll go out for dinner to the 3D Mongolian Grill. I have to give Mr.Charley credit for at least ‘trying’ some new foods, so I’ll let you know how that goes. Tomorrow, we’ll check out the Falls around here.


Have a good one everybody, we’re sure trying to.




RV Riding is learning to appreciate the beauty and blessings of our wonderful lands