The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Harrison, Nebraska:
is a National Parks Service treasure! It is something that everyone should make the effort to visit, if they are anywhere close by.
There is far more history than I can properly relate in this brief blog, so read about it at the official site:
Better yet, go see it for yourself. If you don't see it in person, you are cheating yourself of a wonderful and worthy adventure!
So... if you took the time and visited the above link, you will now know that the area was settled by a cowboy named James Cook, and his bride Kate Graham:
The couple bought the ranch from Kate's dad, E. B. Graham.
James Cook was a curious and friendly man. He enjoyed a long friendship with Chief Red Cloud, who visited him along with his tiospaye on many occasions. James Cook also had a deep interest in paleontology, which he passed along to his sons...they in turn assisted the paleontologists who eventually came to excavate the rich fossil remains. What I present here is the barest of historic sketches regarding this remarkable national treasure.
James Cook was a curious and friendly man. He enjoyed a long friendship with Chief Red Cloud, who visited him along with his tiospaye on many occasions. James Cook also had a deep interest in paleontology, which he passed along to his sons...they in turn assisted the paleontologists who eventually came to excavate the rich fossil remains. What I present here is the barest of historic sketches regarding this remarkable national treasure.
As a result of James Cook's deep friendship with Chief Red Cloud, the museum has the most astonishing and powerful Lakota collection. For its size, I think the collection equals anything I have seen in much larger museums in quality.The pieces are so lovely, that viewing them actually gave me goosebumps!
JhonDuane is a Lakota artist who creates within the Lakota paradigm. It was so fitting therefore, that Jhon was asked to present what he does in this amazing location. It was a wonderful opportunity for tourists, and the local people alike to see the wonderful jewelry that Jhon creates. Naturally I was delighted when he invited me down to visit for the weekend. So, by first light on Saturday morning, I was out the door and into the adventure!
Here are some photos that Jhon sent via email upon his arrival. I was captivated at first sight by the beauty of the place!
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| The Visitor's Center |
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| The Artists' Bungalow |
The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is a beautiful treasure that would seem quite hidden away from the beaten path. Yet many, many people still manage to find and enjoy it each year!
I arrived late in the day and quickly settled in. We had a delicious meal, and-- after a refreshing late day thunderstorm-- took a beautiful walk at sunset:
What a way to start a weekend!
A spectacular dawn gave way to a delicious breakfast on the patio. Then JhonDuane adjourned to the Visitor's Center, and I determined to hike the two informative walks offered on the grounds.
Both walks are wide and level ground or boardwalk, which makes it easily accessibly to the differently-abled. The walks are well-worth the effort. They offer great natural beauty, the bounty of fossils that are scattered as they were found at the two major digs on locations, and very adequate informative signage, explaining both flora, fauna- current and dinosauriana!
Both walks are wide and level ground or boardwalk, which makes it easily accessibly to the differently-abled. The walks are well-worth the effort. They offer great natural beauty, the bounty of fossils that are scattered as they were found at the two major digs on locations, and very adequate informative signage, explaining both flora, fauna- current and dinosauriana!
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| Ground Plum |
Astragalus crassicarpus. Buffalo Apple, Buffalo Bean, Buffalo Pea, Milk Vetch. In the bean family. The Dakota and Lakota used the fruits as an important food source. The fruit pods can be eaten raw or cooked.
Some American Indians chewed small amounts of ground plum leaves for a sore throat. They used a decoction of boiled root for toothache and as an external application for insect bites. The Chippewa treated convulsions with dried and powdered root, and the root was used in combination with other plants for controlling bleeding from wounds.
The Lakota used the plant as medicine for horses. The Dakota referred to the fruit as "Food of the Buffalo."
The early settlers, who ate them either raw or cooked. The fruit was sometimes made into spiced pickles.
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| Prairie Lupine |
My oh my! What an awesome way to spend a weekend!
oh...BTW- My drive home was lovely too!
ps- Do you see the faces in the clouds? ;^)
