Chief Plenty Coups State Park

We wanted to go to this state park early in the day because the temperatures for the last 2 days and to tomorrow would be 100, a tidge too hot to walk around mid-day.  We drove to the park this morning, about 35 miles south of Billings, on Crow Indian Reservation land.  Pretty drive, had the Pryor Mountains raising up in front of us as we drew closer.  Entered the small town of Pryor and passed the Chief Plenty Coups High school - impressive.

Pryor Mountains - Wyoming

Chief Plenty Coups High School

The park was near the high school and as we entered the driveway, saw only one other car/truck in the parking lot, not a good sign.  Never the less, we wanted to see the park which is dedicated to the Crow Indian Chief.  Found out why no other cars - as soon as we got out of the car a park employee came over to us and said that there was a power outage - the whole town, not just the museum - but we could walk around the grounds, visit his home, see his grave but the museum was closed.

Home center, left is his store where he sold goods

Tipi on left, home in middle, where flag is on right - his grave

Bummer.  We were able to read what ever signage was on the grounds, did tour inside his home that he lived in until his death, saw the tipi where he preferred to live, walked the sacred spiritual trail where a natural spring is located, and saw his grave.  Would have loved to been able to go into the museum and learned more about him but, oh well.

Home has flavor of Mount Vernon

Chief Plenty Coups sitting center 

Windows, dormers, second floor added 1909

Circled is architecture of home - same principle of tipi

Main room - fireplace was central to home

Got spooked right off when we walked along the pathway towards his home - there was a huge bull snake snoozing in the shade and if I wasn't as alert, would have stepped on it.  Wow.

At base to left of tree - bull snake quickly moving away (big!)

The Crow People regarded Chief Plenty Coups with so much esteem that when he died, the Crow Nation did not elect a new Chief, has not had a leader since he 'crossed the slippery log and went to the Other Side Camp.' That is how the Crow People explain someone passing away.  I like that!

Sacred Spring near home