In New England, Memorial Day is called Decoration Day. We would go to graves of relatives and veterans, to honor them by leaving small tokens of flowers or flags, maybe saying a prayer.
First, we would go to the parade with our children. After that, we'd go and clean and decorate Aunt Grace and Uncle Charlie's grave site, in the next town. Then we would go back home and have a picnic barbecue.
However no one I know here in South Dakota cares to do such things. This leaves me with a 3-day weekend to fill with something else that is meaningful. I had some vague idea of going to the hills and wandering around- nothing more. But when my friend Nancy called before I was even out of bed, wanting to know what I was going to do, and could she go too ...decisions had to be made!
I was at Nancy's house by 9 AM and we were on our way.
We first headed out to Harney Peak. The name of this peak is objectionable in the extreme. General Harney was responsible for the slaughter of many innocent Lakota in the 1800's. This particular peak, is most sacred(Wakan) in the Black Hills, and recognized as "The Center of All That Is" by the Lakota. They call it
Hinhan Kaga Paha.
"Genl. Harney having concluded to attack them in the morning and sent for most of his officers obtained their opinions and unfolded his plans...It soon became evident that we were not going to come up with the enemy, and Genl. Harney was very apprehensive he would escape especially so from the first thrust...In order to gain time and to learn something of the desperation of these Indians, Genl. H. sent the Interpreter Campbell forward to propose a talk upon which the Chief Little Thunder came out to meet him and said he would come in if the troops were halted so as not to approach nearer his people...Little Thunder said he did not want to fight and he was afraid to talk with so many soldiers..."
The
"good" general murdered many innocent people in retaliation for the "Battle of the Mormon Cow". It is a sacrilege that this wakan spot is named for a man who murdered so many innocents. I often refer to it as Epahaska ("that white peak there"), and so I will refer to it, here.
Sylvan Lake was crawling with people, so we continued on down to The Needles, also known as The Nest. The day was unfolding in exquisite beauty.
Custer Park was the most busy that I have ever seen it. We decided to continue on to Cascade Springs, in the Southern Hills. Armed with a picnic lunch, and finally away from the crowds, we had a blissful hour of quiet. Though here, too there were other visitors, the demeanor of all was one of quiet respect, and we were left in peace.
It was nice to see that our small friend, Tsusweca was already here to greet us.
The springs are peaceful and lovely at any time of year, but in the Spring, the beauty is just overwhelming, and has new marvels every time I visit.
Beauty is all around us...what more is there to say!
Did I mention how beautiful was the sky?
(Do you see the
face in the cloud?)
The streams issuing from the spring are lined with watercress, which is now everywhere in bloom!
Our chicken picnic consumed, and one last longing look at the spring's luscious serpentine splendor, and we were on our way.
Through the village of Hot Springs, we traveled North, back towards the Black Hills... it was now late afternoon.
At this time of year the plains are resplendent. Regarding the world of 4-footed's, buffalo calving is upon us. One never knows if any buffalo will be seen.
We were lucky... there were plenty- posing for the cameras... one suspects it to be part of the
Homeland Recovery effort, as normally aggressive bulls loll amongst the crazy wasichu, who spare no effort, (or peril to life and limb) to photograph- at ridiculously close-range, large animals that could snort at them and kill them.
No, that would NOT be me, I took this from the safety of my car between me and the bull... also, this photo has been heavily cropped... the original had the bull as a small dot in the middle of the photo! lol!
These two budds were having a whole lot of fun in a wallow just to the right of the photo.
This mom and her babe are just returning to the herd.
Blue-eyed grass
Campion
Fringed Gromwell
Larkspur
Lonely Lily
Sand Lily
Shooting Star
Wild Iris (Flag)
Mountain Bluebell
...er-uhh, well, ok! This is
not a flower, it is a um, mushroom, or whatever they call these things, that one can eat. It's called a puffball, and I have had them pointed out plenty of times in the New England.
Yes, I have eaten them, when someone knowledgeable picks and cooks 'em... but- no, I am not going to trust myself to know what I am doing with 'em! lol!
The last stop of the day was the Elk Pasture, and then on to the large pasture to the North of the Fire Tower...
After this the sun was setting, and it was time to call it a day. It was enough for the day, considering that, with such beautiful memories- what more could we want?
