Tongue River, Montana

When we passed through Sheridan, WY we stopped at ‘Dalton RV’ to have our batteries checked out.  As it turns out, the battery connections were reversed so it was no wonder they were not charging properly.  They DID, however, need to be replaced.  We received a lesson in correctly connecting the batteries (we did not, originally, connect the batteries, the guy we bought the RV from did that for us); another lesson we learned – just because a guy did it, doesn’t mean it’s right…  Needless to say, we are the proud owners of 2 brand spanking new batteries, look out wilderness, we no longer need to ‘plug in’!  Dalton, the owner, was wonderful, we highly recommend this RV establishment if you are in the area and need anything, RV related.

An overcast morning greeted us as we ventured north to Montana saying goodbye to Lake DeSmet.  The further north we went the darker the sky became.  Just as we pulled into Tongue River State Park Campground the rain started coming down and we thought we might have to set up in the rain.  We were very lucky there was a break in the rain for about 1/2 hour and we made great time in unhooking Rosalita.  If you are from out-of-state, Montana State Parks are pricier than the other states we have camped in, $34.00/per night for just electricity (no break for Seniors).

That evening the weather was wet off and on all night so we stayed inside most of the afternoon and night. The next morning was bright, sunny and warm so we took a drive back into Sheridan (without Rosalita) and replenished supplies.  After being in Cody for so long we had forgotten what we had in the camper.  After we put everything away we took a drive to the Rosebud battlefield, or as the Native Americans call it: ‘The Battle Where the Sister Saved Her Brother’.  The history is written on the plaques shown below:

The history recorded on the plaques seems to be quite neutral in its telling, which was nice to see.  If you click on the plaques, they will expand and you will be able to read them, if you wish.  I still don’t understand why there has to be warring factions in the world.  Can’t quite get away from the hippy era…  On our way out we saw two hawks perched in a tree.

We then ventured out to find a nice place to have our picnic lunch, preferably with a tree and by some water.  The road to the battleground is on private property so we went back to the lake and found a spot by the water.  Eating our lunch, we watched as 2 Osprey circled for their lunch also.

The evening was so inviting, we decided to have a campfire by the water while we watched the clouds turn pink.  Three kids on an inner tube played Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn on the canal in front of us.

It is now Thursday and we are headed towards Billings to get tires for Rosalita.  As we drive, the sky is filled with smoke from the fires in California, Washington and Idaho.  First thing Friday, we are headed south to cleaner air for our lungs…