Billings, Part 3

Wednesday our plans were to tour 3 museums -- one was closed because of a plumbing problem, the second one didn't exist (hmmmm), but the third was really worth the visit. We visited the Yellowstone County Museum and enjoyed a special exhibit of pictures of early Billings taken by a hometown boy who made a name for himself with his pictures while in the Army. There was also an exhibit of western saddles made and tooled by two local men -- beautiful! What museum would be complete without an Indian collection? The beading on the mocs, leggings, arm bands and dresses was impressive. Today just a small belt buckle beaded costs $150 in the museum gift shops. Can't begin to estimate what that exhibit would bring!

Thursday we drove over to Laurel, Montana, about 15 miles west of Billings on I-90 to see the Canyon Creek Battlefield where a battle took place between the 7th Cavalry and the Nez Perce Indians. The National Historic Site was 7 miles north of Laurel and consisted of a brick shelter with three plaques regarding the fight. From there we drove an additional 35 miles to Columbus to visit the Museum of the Beartooths (mountain range southwest of I-90). The curator at the Yellowstone County Museum had recommended visiting, and we weren't disappointed. Of particular interest to Jack and me was the fact that the town of Columbus was originally called Stillwater. The name was changed because of the confusion of Stillwater, Montana with Stillwater, Minnesota! Seems the confusion caused so much difficulty that the name was then changed to Eagles' Nest, then Sheep Dip and when the Northern Pacific Railroad came through, the name became Columbus. The town's local hero was a Marine who was killed at Iwo Jima when he threw himself on a live mortar to save his squad. He was honored with the Medal of Honor in 1947.

On our way back to Billings we stopped at Cabela's, the sportsmen's paradise :-) and hit a couple western wear stores.

Today is our last day in Billings, so Jack is working on the trailer and I have busied myself inside scrubbing the floors, cleaning, etc. Tomorrow (31st) we'll be moving 130 miles west on I-90 and camping at the Livingston KOA which is only 40 miles from Yellowstone National Park. Our intent is to drive down to Yellowstone during our stay there.