Shelby to Browning, Montana

My traveling companion over the Rocky Mountains.

After being ill, the ride from Shelby to Browning was a difficult one that covered 55 miles. Monte and I just broke the ride up into pieces and made it in fairly good time and had a magnificent view of the Rockies the entire way.
Browning is the home of the Blackfeet Nation and Gateway to Glacier National Park. At the time of our arrival the Blackfeet Nation's yearly powwow was underway so it's population of 1000 had expanded to approximately 10 times that number. It was an incredible sight to see all the Tepees and Blackfeet regalia.  The constant drumbeat, dancing, chanting of the tribal people who were gathered in Browning was our constant companion. It was a sight to behold and a new experience for me. We made two new friends, both Vietnam Veterans, who pointed out that as a veteran I was welcome to join the "Veterans Dance." For obvious reasons I declined.

Gilbert (Two Stone) Bearwalker & Rance Risingwolf

We met Gilbert Two Stone Bearwalker and Rance Risingwolf at the Browning Blackfeet Powwow and chatted for close to an hour.  After his military service Gilbert (US Navy 66-70 Vietnam 68-70) went into Police work and now resides in Oregon.  Rance (Marines 65-67 Vietnam 65-67) became a devout Christian, raised his children and carried on with his life as his faith dictated.

The Blackfeet Nation, consisting of three groups, had a reputation as being unrelentingly savage towards their enemies and extremely loyal to their friends. Their ancestral homelands extend from north of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, south into Montana. For the entire ride today we were on the Blackfeet Reservation. As a point of interest, the Lewis and Clark Expedition's one deadly altercation was with the Blackfeet.

As I lay in my tent beneath shimmering poplars listening to the drumbeat and the chanting of the dancers I am carried to another era...this is the sound that will guide me into my slumber.  Every day is an adventure...new and replenishing...I lie here content.

Len Vanasse

Biology school teacher traveling across United States from Washington to Maine...70 years young.