And what a big sky it is. Journeying through North Dakota, we were already in awe of the vast expanse of all the grasslands found there. But Montana outdid herself. From her prairies, her open ranges, her idyllic farm lands, her dense forests at the Continental Divide, to her rugged towering mountains resembling pyramids reaching her blue, blue sky, everything about Montana is just plain, BIG.
Montana’s diverse landscape embodies the vision of the true West. Her rugged raw nature, cowboys on horses corralling wild horses on the range, bison running free and protected, Bald Eagles nesting on telephone poles, wild life resting under the shadows of the dense vegetation, it is enough to truly appreciate the gift, the beauty and the wonders this beautiful planet we call home provided us.
The Native Americans appreciated this gift and became one with the land. Unfortunately, once more, the tide of the ‘civilized’ whites had something else in mind. That brings us to our visit to the Battle of Little Big Horn or Custer’s Last Stand. The Indians won that battle, but alas lost the war. So much blood was spilled as can be seen from the white (for the ‘white’ men) and red markers (for the Indians) on this 12+ square mile battle field at Little Big Horn, and for what purpose?
It escapes me…..
It escapes me…..
When one views the expanse and vastness of Montana, one has to wonder: Why was it so necessary to drive off the Indians? Isn’t there enough room for all of us? I can only shake my head and bow in sorrow. I do hope that we learn from all these battles and not let history be repeated.
I do hope that George Bernard Shaw was wrong when he said: "We learn from history that we learn nothing from history".