Sept 19 - Oct 17 Gopher Flats

While visiting Will's family we rnted a camper on a horse ranchette on the Umatilla River in Gopher Flats, east of Pendleton.

Sept 18, 19 - to Missoula, MT to Pendleton,OR

Stayed at Quality Inn and suites Missoula, then headed for Pendleton OR.  Rains of the past several days had diminished dozens of fires, and we did not see any.  However, for the past several days, the sky has been less clear than normal.

West of Missoula

Into Idaho

Nasty looking cloud near Tri-Cities, WA

We arrive to Pendleton are are staying rented camper at this Ranchette

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Sept 17 - Livingstone and to Butte, MT

the green area is watered by Yellowstone River (east of Livingstone)

picnicked in Sacajawea Park next to Yellowstone River, Livingston, MT.  River zigzags across this rocky flat

Checked into Comfort Inn, Butte.  Ate wop chops and jojos at Roadway Tavern

 The wop chops are tenderloin slices pounded flat with a soda bottle.  Excellent meal for $7.

Sept 16 - to Little Big Horn and Billings, MT

We at at Sheridan Silver Spur and drove NW to Crow Reservation and Little Bighorn (Crow sided with Custer)

Battle took place over a wide area, but ended on this hill from which photo was taken.  The Sioux camp (Custer's target) is near trees on Little Bighorn River

Markrs show where soldiers fell

Markers gave soldier name and rank or occupation

Majors Reno and Benteen lead 6 of Custer's 11 companies (not counting the supply wagons).  They attacked below from other directions but had to retreat to approximately where I'm standing.  They survived a 2 day attack by Sioux and were later crticised for not helping Custer more

Headed toward Billings

Checked into Quality Inn, Billings and ate at Bruno's (Italian restaurant)

Sept 15 - to Sheridan WY

After breakfast at Wrangler Cafe, we headed northwest out of Custer toward Sheridan, WY

 Entering Wyoming

We stayed at America's Best Value Inn, Sheridan and ate at Wyoming's Rib and Chophouse

Sept 14 - Custer, second day. Mt Rushmore

We drove south toward Hot Springs

Heading back toward Custer State Park, see neat one lane bridges

Pronghorn grazing and buffalo

Resident donkeys demanding toll

Dottie giving them what-for as we drive off

Toward Rushmore, you can actually see the Rushmore monument from inside the tunnel

Rushmore

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We dined at the Purple Pie restaurant and stayed a second night at Custer Super 8

Sept 13 - Rapids City, SD to Black Hills (Custer, SD)

Drove from Rapids City to Custer in Black Hills.  Before dark, we experienced the Needles Parkway,  Needles are what they call tall, skinny rocks.

Right into tunnel approaching Needle's Eye

Needle's Eye parking lot, starting with Eye

Sylvan Lake after sunset

Looks ready for a wedding

Earlier we had stopped at Rapids City AAA (about noon) driven to Custer and checked into Custer, SD Super 8. Nice place for less than $100.   Dined at Wolff restaurant.  Service erratic - waiter flirting with boyfriends at another table