We had the best intentions of camping along the Wise River this weekend, but a very wet and cold forecast prevailed. I spent most of Saturday getting the garden and flowers planted before the two wet days of Sunday and Monday hit. Getting some color and seeds into the ground after school is out always makes me feel like summer is really here, even if the weather isn't cooperating.
We decided we'd still take a mini-road trip down to the valley where we wanted to camp in order to visit the Big Hole Battlefield with our friends Lander and Frank Glenn. So we all got cozy in the Subaru for the 2 1/2 drive. Once there, we bundled up in our ski gear and were able to hike the trails of the National Monument which preserves the battle ground of the attack on the Nez Perce by the US Army in 1877. The Nez Perce story as they fled the pursuit of the US Army through they states of Idaho and Montana is a tragic one, ending with Chief Joseph's famous surrender, "I will fight no more forever."
The battle ground includes the "skeletons" of some of the ti-pis as they were arranged on the day of the attack. It's a haunting scene to walk through these reading about the women and children killed by the soldiers.
We stopped at Jackson Hot Springs on the way home for a soak to warm up our chilled bones after walking around in the blustery weather. We spent a long time in the car, but managed to explore one more road in Montana through the scenic Big Hold valley.
