Travel Journal – July 6, 2016

Camp – 7th Ranch RV Park

Jagger and I arrived here at the “7th Ranch RV Park” yesterday evening. It’s a nice camp for a RV Park. It’s not my favorite type of camp, but I do have full hookups here. Thank goodness for that, as the weather is warming up quickly. We will see temps in the 90’s over the next few days.

The 7th Ranch RV Park has a very close proximity to the Little Bighorn National Monument, in fact the grounds may touch at some point. Chances are Custer, his men and the Native Americans traveled over the very ground I am now camped on. My camp is located on a working ranch and has some nice trails for a short walk, that meander up some gradual sloped hills. Once at the top you can see for miles. The campsites are pretty close together, but I’ve stayed in tighter spots. Most of the sites are pull through sites. This park seems to be a short term stay for most travelers and is very well kept. I will be staying a week, but most campers are just here overnight and then they move on.

Heading to Hardin

7th Ranch RV Park Drive

After getting my chores done for today, I leave Jagger in our air conditioned Coach and head out for Hardin. It’s the closest town with a few shops, grocery stores and gas stations. It also is the home of the Big Horn County Historical Museum. My plan is to stop there and check out the museum. It’s going to be a warm one today, so bringing Jagger wouldn’t be a good idea. As I am driving I make note of the beautiful views in the middle of nowhere. Rolling hills, mostly brown this time of year, with the exception a a few farms growing this or that. Mostly I see small ranches with few cattle. I also pass an indian reservation, which makes me sad.

Dari Ann Danger (sitting)

Many of my ancestors were Cherokee. I know, I know world history – the survival of the fittest. I think I understand most human behavior. But the ultimate process of two civilizations fighting against each other is so tragic and sad. Especially those who take advantage of others, both financially with land grabs, the political power of those who are evil and the savage attacks from both sides of the Native American battles.

As I drive on the highway I see the poverty of some here on the reservations, but know (or hope) many finally made the adjustment to survive in the new American society that followed the Native American wars. I think of my Great Grandma, who survived the “Trail of Tears” at nine years old, on their forced tragic journey to Oklahoma. Only to be kidnapped as a teen by a Irish Whiskey Trader traveling the West. That I know of she never saw her family again, but the details that have been handed down are sketchy. Somewhere I have seen a picture of her at a younger age in a long Native American dress and very long flowing black hair.

Big Horn County Historical Museum

Big Horn County Historical Museum

I arrive at the museum pretty early and since it’s a weekday. I almost have the place to myself for the first hour. I was a little surprised to see there isn’t much here about infamous Little Bighorn Battle. The museum’s focus is on the settlement of this area and the growth of its agriculture industry over the years. There are huge farms here, more than I realized. I thought it was to far north for good farming opportunities, but I obviously was wrong. They had many old buildings and equipment from different eras of their history on display. Overall this museum is very interesting and well worth a visit.

Display – Big Horn County Historical Museum

Vehicle Displays – Big Horn County Historical Museum

Vehicle Displays – Big Horn County Historical Museum

Vehicle Displays – Big Horn County Historical Museum

After finishing the tour of almost two hours, I headed into town stopping for a quick bite to eat. Then headed back to my home, the Coach, to a very happy puppy.

Safe Travels…Gary

More Photos: Little Big Horn Museum and Camp

Camp Review: 7th Ranch RV Park