WyMan1

(This is a quick description of Plenty Coups Park that I copied from the Montana Tourism page. I am going to write my own description of the park, which will replace this, in a day or two, when I have time.)

Situated within the Crow Reservation in south central Montana, this park was the home of Plenty Coups, last and perhaps the greatest chief of the Crow. Chief Aleck-chea-ahoosh when translated to English means “Many Achievements” or “Plenty Coups”. Successfully he led the Crow into many battles with their traditional enemies, the Blackfeet, Cheyenne, and Sioux and emerged unharmed bearing his enemies scalps and their finest horses. As proof of his extraordinary courage, Plenty Coups had “counted coup” that is, struck his living enemy with his coup stick, at least eighty times. With diplomatic skill he secured for his people their traditional homeland in the Yellowstone River Valley. He purposed that his home be preserved as a historic site in “token of my friendship for all people”, which he modeled after George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Plenty Coups had a vision that showed him that those who opposed the white man would lose their land. He foretold of the disappearance of the bison and believed that his people must learn the ways of the white man. He built his log house, opened a store, and planted an apple orchard.His two-story log home and store remain as evidence of the chief’s efforts to lead his people in adopting a new lifestyle. A museum houses the chief’s personal items as well as interpretive displays telling the story of the Crow culture. Also at the Park is the chief’s burial site, the Medicine Spring, and an excellent view of the Pryor Mountains. Plenty Coups and his wife deeded their home and land for a “Nation’s Park” in 1928.

I saw the rock group Rush at Red Rocks. An awesome group at an awesome venue. Best concert of my life!

This is one of those places that photos don’t do justice. There’s just no way to feel the size of this place by looking at a photo. You must go there.

I also was very touched by my brief visit to Pine Ridge. (About half a day) It’s very true that poverty is all around, but there was a noticable determination also. I visited Red Cloud’s grave and Wounded Knee.

I moved to Sheridan eight years ago from Amarillo, Texas. Its quite a change, but I like it here. Small towns can be good or bad; I think it depends more on the individual.

I like eating out probably more than most, I guess because I live alone. Anyway, there are some really good restaurants here, some are pricey, but I would say most are moderately priced. Los Agaves for Mexican food is really good, Dragon Wall is one of the best Chinese restaurants I have eaten at. The Empire Grill downtown is always good, but they can be rather slow. The Rib and Chop House in the historic Sheridan Inn is great for steaks, seafood, ribs and such. And the Inn is worth seeing. It is said to be haunted. Buffalo Bill Cody used to stay there.

If you like to hang out at coffee shops, the Java Moon is a really cool place. There are many wonderful specialty shops in Sheridan’s beautiful downtown. It is fun just to walk down Main Street and window shop.

Sheridan has a world famous rodeo each year, and Crow Fair on the Crow Reservation is the world’s largest powwow, every August. The Bradford Brinton at Big Horn, and the Ucross Foundation are two of the best art galleries around. The Trails End is the mansion of former Wyoming Governor John B. Kendrick, and it is a historic monument, really worth seeing.

If you like the outdoors, there is hardly a better place to visit or to live. Fishing, hiking, skiing, cycling, horseback riding, handgliding, camping, or just driving through the mountains is worth the trip. The Bighorn Mountains are just west of Sheridan. Just north of Sheridan are the Wolf Mountains, though they are really more like tall hills, they are still very scenic.

There is lots and lots of history around Sheridan. The Little Bighorn (Custer Battlefield) is an hour drive north. There is Ft. Phil Kearny just south of Sheridan, about 20 miles. There are other battlefields all around, like the Rosebud, Fetterman, Wagon Box, Sibley, Sawyer Expedition, Conner (this was really a massacre of an Indian village), Crazy Woman, Tongue River, and there were many intertribal wars right here between the Crows, and the Sioux and Cheyenne.) The Crow and Cheyenne reservations are just across the border in Montana.

Well, that should get you started. Have fun!

Palo Duro Canyon is my favorite outdoor place. I spent many years hiking in and visiting PDC when I grew up. Now I live in Wyoming, which is an outdoor paradise, but I still love PDC. Palo Duro Canyon is the world’s most colorful canyon, with more colors actually recorded there than anywhere else. The canyon is also rich in history for the history buff. There is much diversity in the canyon, but it is getting crowded with visitors. Yet, there are multitudes of little cubby holes and hidden away places all through the canyon one can escape to. The formations are awesome. Be sure to take your camera!