Billings, MT

About 30 miles east of Billings is Pompey’s Pillar. For centuries this was an Indian landmark and holy spot. When Lewis & Clark came upon it in 1806, William Clark did something that he had never done, nor would he do again, during his exploration west. He took time to inscribe his name on the face of the stone, along with the date. The inscription can be seen today, though it is now covered with plexiglas to protect it. A staircase leads to both his inscription and beyond to the top of the Pillar. Sakajawea’s son bore a French name, but was called Pomp, a French word indicating that he was “first” born. So in his honor Clark named this landmark, and inscribed it as such on the maps that they prepared, as “Pompey’s Pillar”.








Steps lead to the location on the rock where Clark’s signature is located, and then on to the top of the rock.








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The Yellowstone River as seen adjacent to the Pillar.


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Billings’ DanWalt Gardens is named after Dan Jellison and Walt Williams, who started planting the gardens in their back yard in the mid 1990’s.  People noticed, and the gardens grew over the years to include a Japanese garden, rose garden, and ceremony garden, along with a pond, trees, shrubs, bridges, and a home for some “exotic chickens to add excitement”. A barn, pavilion, and dining room were added to provide a venue for weddings, reunions, indoor and outdoor lunches, teas, and other parties. The pictures really don’t do it justice.












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The Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings is known as “Montana’s Contemporary Art Museum”. While probably not our favorite kind of art overall, it had some very interesting and whimsical items. See for yourself.




























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In the early evening we went to see a baseball game between the Billings Mustangs and the visiting Great Falls Voyagers. The Mustangs had a short stint as a Minor League Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, but were caught up in the Minor League downsizing from 160 teams to 120 teams a couple of years ago. Now they belong to the Pioneer Baseball League, comprised of teams from the region. There were lots of runs scored, lots of base running action, and a few wild pitches, but the Mustangs won.








There was even a bouncy house in the right field stands for the kids!





Next stop - Great Falls

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