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When Merriwether Lewis and William Clark led their remarkable "Voyage of Discovery" at the direction of
President Thomas Jefferson to find an all-water passage to the Pacific in the early 19th century, they found
many things previously unseen by white men, including Pompey's Pillar, named for Sakagawea's young son,
Jean Baptiste, nicknamed "Pomp" by Clark and the company.
President Thomas Jefferson to find an all-water passage to the Pacific in the early 19th century, they found
many things previously unseen by white men, including Pompey's Pillar, named for Sakagawea's young son,
Jean Baptiste, nicknamed "Pomp" by Clark and the company.
Residents at the top of the pillar included a Marmot family.
Didn't get to see the babies, though. At ground level, this
bird was solving its personal housing shortage.
Didn't get to see the babies, though. At ground level, this
bird was solving its personal housing shortage.
Pictographs had been used by
Indians for centuries. Later,
explorers added their own
version of graffiti.
Indians for centuries. Later,
explorers added their own
version of graffiti.
The view from the top of Pompey's Pillar is breathtaking.
We were certainly out of breath after climbing all the way
to top. It was worth it. See?
We were certainly out of breath after climbing all the way
to top. It was worth it. See?
(above) William Clark carved his
name into the Pillar. (left) More
pictographs. This one says,
"Whatever you do, don't hurt your
Moose radio." Or something like
that. We're not really sure
name into the Pillar. (left) More
pictographs. This one says,
"Whatever you do, don't hurt your
Moose radio." Or something like
that. We're not really sure
The panoramic view along the shore of the Yellowstone River, just to the North of Pompey's Pillar. The
current is quite swift. Imagine paddling that river in one of these dugout canoes, loaded to the gunwales.
Friendly Indians, and there were many of them, taught the Corps of Discovery to make their canoes.
current is quite swift. Imagine paddling that river in one of these dugout canoes, loaded to the gunwales.
Friendly Indians, and there were many of them, taught the Corps of Discovery to make their canoes.
Jay's favorite photographer at
work, shooting mannequins
representing William Clark,
Sakagawea and her son, and
the bust of Clark in the Center.
work, shooting mannequins
representing William Clark,
Sakagawea and her son, and
the bust of Clark in the Center.
Caroline Kale and the staff at the Interpretive
Center were very knowledgeable and helpful.
It is a far piece up to the top. Some folks say
the Pillar reminds them of a sleeping cougar.
Looks a lot like a turtle to us. The wildflowers
are blooming and there's so much to please
the eye.
Center were very knowledgeable and helpful.
It is a far piece up to the top. Some folks say
the Pillar reminds them of a sleeping cougar.
Looks a lot like a turtle to us. The wildflowers
are blooming and there's so much to please
the eye.
After spending a good part of the day at Pompey's Pillar National Monument, we
drove East a few miles to the "town" of Pompey's Pillar, which we found to be
pretty much dead and deserted, except for a store with this enigmatic sign.
drove East a few miles to the "town" of Pompey's Pillar, which we found to be
pretty much dead and deserted, except for a store with this enigmatic sign.
Sadly, the store was closed, so we couldn't ask.
This is one of many long, long trains we have seen out here. Don't see a
lot of trucks on the highways. The pavement seems good, but, old. Do
you think they had a different plan than we did in the 70's?
lot of trucks on the highways. The pavement seems good, but, old. Do
you think they had a different plan than we did in the 70's?