I-94 Billings and Beyond

We stayed three nights in Billings, Montana, and then took the I-94 branch to North Dakota. We saw a lot of rolling hills and grassland and stopped at some interesting sites along the way.

 

Pompeys Pillar National Monument

Pompeys Pillar is a massive sandstone outcrop that rises from an almost two-acre base on the banks of the Yellowstone River, east of Billings. For many years people used this as a landmark and left inscriptions along their way. One of the most notable visitors, Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, arrived at Pompeys Pillar on July 25, 1806. Captain Clark named the pillar after Sacagawea's son, whom he had nicknamed "Pomp". 

Brand New Visitor's Center

The sandstone pillar stands 150 feet
above the Yellowstone River.

A boardwalk staircase takes you to the top.

This is the only remaining evidence of Captain Clark's
visit to the area.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

We stayed two nights in Medora North Dakota, conveniently located a mile from the entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit. Theodore Roosevelt first visited the Dakota Territory in 1883 to hunt Bison. The following year his wife, Alice, and his mother both died on the same day, February 14, 1884. Overcome with grief, Theodore returned to North Dakota to heal in solitude. He invested in the Maltese Cross Ranch and later started the Elkhorn Ranch.  This remote 70,447 acre national park has a 36 mile Scenic Drive in the South Unit and a 14 mile Scenic Drive in the North Unit. We visited only the South Unit, but may return another time to see the rest of the Park.

Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin

Up to 700 bison are maintained in the herd.

We saw lots and lots of prairie dogs.

The red color of the rock comes from the oxidation of iron
released from an underlying coal layer that burned.

Some of the scenery reminded us of
Badlands National Park in South Dakota.

A local labor force built this old entrance station in 1938.
It was closed in 1968 when I-94 was completed.

Someone made a good find on this old propane truck.

We had a herd of 30 bison join us on a side road.

We seemed to have hit peak fall color.

The Little Missouri River runs through the park.