2018.09.28 - Greybull, WY to Garryowen, MT
09.28.2018 - Greybull, WY to Garryowen, MT - After a rainy night last night, the prospect of crossing the pass over the Bighorn Mountains to the east was a concern this morning. After checking our weather APPS and talking to the KOA manager, "going over the top" was definitely out. The manager said "Don't even think about it. Go via Billings, MT instead." He also said that he heard that Billings had 2" of snow on the ground, but that all the roads were in good shape. All in all, it would only add about 65 miles to the trip, so that's what we elected to do.
Billings was only about 125 miles to the north, so we decided to stop there for lunch and to get gas. Rene also found a AAA office there and wanted to stop to pick up some better maps. As long as we were bombing around Billings, John thought he'd return his sunglasses at the local LensCrafters since they had a store there as well.
We made all our stops successfully (confirming as well that it didn't snow at all in Billings) and stopped for lunch in a Flying J parking lot outside town. From there, we headed east on I-90 towards the towns of Crow Agency and Garryowen, about 90-minutes away. We had reservations to stay at the 7th Ranch RV Resort, a private RV park located off the freeway about 3-miles south of Garryowen, MT. Garryowen, itself, really isn't much of a town, mostly a Post Office and Conoco station hooked up to a cheesy Trading Post and Custer Museum. It is located right next to where Maj. Reno set his skirmish line during his attack on the Indian Village during the Little Bighorn battle, so there are interesting things to see besides the gas station. As to the origin of the town's name, "Garryowen" was actually an Irish tune for a quickstep dance that was selected the namesake marching tune for General George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry Regiment. In fact, he had his trumpeters play it at times, during their charges into indian battles (but not here).
The 7th ranch RV Resort, of course, was named after the same 7th Cavalry Regiment and was mostly empty when we arrived. The Owners (Chip and Ann) were very accommodating and Chip escorted us personally up the hill to our spot. He said they were closing October 1st, had about 3-4 weeks to "winterize" the resort and take care of their cattle (they also run a working cattle ranch), then were headed in their RV south to Yuma, AZ returning in early April, 2019. The park overlooked the Little Bighorn River and the site of Sitting Bull's Indian camp. The Little Bighorn Battlefield (re-named from it's previous designation as "Custer's Last Stand Battlefield") was located about 4-miles to the north.
Tomorrow, we'll spend the day at the Battlefield, then will return to 7th Ranch for a second night before deciding where we go from here. Weather forecasts indicate snow for the Black Hills/Mt. Rushmore area next week, so going there may now be in question.
Billings was only about 125 miles to the north, so we decided to stop there for lunch and to get gas. Rene also found a AAA office there and wanted to stop to pick up some better maps. As long as we were bombing around Billings, John thought he'd return his sunglasses at the local LensCrafters since they had a store there as well.
We made all our stops successfully (confirming as well that it didn't snow at all in Billings) and stopped for lunch in a Flying J parking lot outside town. From there, we headed east on I-90 towards the towns of Crow Agency and Garryowen, about 90-minutes away. We had reservations to stay at the 7th Ranch RV Resort, a private RV park located off the freeway about 3-miles south of Garryowen, MT. Garryowen, itself, really isn't much of a town, mostly a Post Office and Conoco station hooked up to a cheesy Trading Post and Custer Museum. It is located right next to where Maj. Reno set his skirmish line during his attack on the Indian Village during the Little Bighorn battle, so there are interesting things to see besides the gas station. As to the origin of the town's name, "Garryowen" was actually an Irish tune for a quickstep dance that was selected the namesake marching tune for General George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry Regiment. In fact, he had his trumpeters play it at times, during their charges into indian battles (but not here).
The 7th ranch RV Resort, of course, was named after the same 7th Cavalry Regiment and was mostly empty when we arrived. The Owners (Chip and Ann) were very accommodating and Chip escorted us personally up the hill to our spot. He said they were closing October 1st, had about 3-4 weeks to "winterize" the resort and take care of their cattle (they also run a working cattle ranch), then were headed in their RV south to Yuma, AZ returning in early April, 2019. The park overlooked the Little Bighorn River and the site of Sitting Bull's Indian camp. The Little Bighorn Battlefield (re-named from it's previous designation as "Custer's Last Stand Battlefield") was located about 4-miles to the north.
7th Ranch RV Resort, Garryowen, MT
Battlefield is center, on the horizon
Sitting Bull's camp was in the trees just below the horizon
Kuna Pit - left middle, at 7th Ranch RV Resort
Tomorrow, we'll spend the day at the Battlefield, then will return to 7th Ranch for a second night before deciding where we go from here. Weather forecasts indicate snow for the Black Hills/Mt. Rushmore area next week, so going there may now be in question.
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