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Published: June 26th 2008
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Big Horn Mountains
We first thought these were low haning clouds. Here is the link to our
Montana Trip Map From Blackhawk where we had stayed for the last few nights we left the Interstate for Deadwood then on to the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.
Deadwood, SD is where Wild Bill Hickock was killed making famous for the phrase "Ace's and Eight's" (the poker hand he held as he was shot). The town is nestled in a narrow canyon with steep approaches east and west and sheer walls north and south. There are buildings still in use today that were a part of the towns 19th century daily life.
Beyond Deadwood and Lead, Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is a narrow canyon that drops about 100 feet every mile or so from its southern end north all the way to Spearfish, SD. Once we turned onto this narrow, mostly shoulderless roadway we drifted easily along braking occassionally to stay at the posted 35 mph speed limt or slow enough to enjoy the scenery. Trees crowd the road edge along a rolling high mountain stream. The Canyon drive begins at about 4500 foot elevation and drops to about 3100 feet at Spearfish. The mountains along the rim seemed to drift skyward as drifted
Nearing Montana
As we got closer to Montana and the Rockie mountains, the plains began closing in on us. deeprer and deeper into the canyon. The rim and valley floor finally merged again as we cleared the north end of the canyon and made our way to Spearfish. Bridal Veil Waterfall rushes from the face of a sheer cliff feeding the stream below.
Wyoming served up more high plains as vast as the open sea. The plains grow short grasses that carpet the rolling hills like a carpet of velvet in shades of greens, blues, greys and, blacks. Occassionally a rock escarpment or cliff rips a gash in the velvet covering exposing the raw earth and rock beneath. Trees are extremely rare along the way growing only where planted or where water stands or flows. You can tell from a distance how much water is there and whether or not it is flowing or standing by the size of the stand of trees. For miles at a time there is nothing but vast rolling hills; and no trees, just short grey shrubs, green grasses, yellow and purple flowers, and deer and elk. Herds of the wild animals populate almost every pasture alongside the cattle and horses, although they seem more wary of horses than of the cattle. If
Donna had stopped at every place she wanted to for pictures or to just drink in the view, we would still be in Wyoming today. But we did stop and often to record and enjoy what we saw.
We spotted mountains west of us that first appeared to be low hanging clouds until we realized the white cloud was actually snow covered mountain peaks. (On a differnt note: we learned today that Yellowstone roads are all open now and finally clear of snow.) The mountains hung in the air ahead of us for more than an hour and a half before we started to turn north and parallel them into Montana. The mountains were the Big Horn Range and we have decided to ride them over the next few days.
Entering Montana was special for us. This trip is, has been for four years, about being in Montana. We made it today and stopped at the state line to acknowledge our dream and its coming to fruition. Tonight we stay in Billings then explore from there. Tomorrow night we are going to the "1876 Grand Ball" in Hardin.
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Cynthia and Ken
Cynthia Bennett
Woo-hoo !!
Thanks again for the text photo. I walked out of cheer practice and opened it. I noticed that Donna is not wearing a sleeveless top a sign of lower temps. Great shot of the two of you under the Montana state sign.