Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Glendive

We wandered on east 74 miles and stopped in Glendive MT because we heard there was a state park and Dinosaur Museum there. Because we have the time, we scheduled two days for this stop. One to go to the park, and one to see the museum. 

On Monday, we drove and then spent several hours at the Makoshika State park. To quote the park flyer: 
Here at Makoshika, the badlands expose older rocks layers than those in the badlands of the Dakotas.
We stopped at the Visitors Center and learned about some of the fossils that have been found in layers of sedimentary rock.




I always enjoy reading whatever information I can before exploring a park. In this case the VC information gave a context and time line to the many layers we could see in the rock formations carved away by the Yellowstone River and other geological forces over the ages.

We took a short walk along one of the nearest trails, but because it was pretty warm we didn't go very far or climb the rather steep hills.


We have learned a new word this month.  "Coulee" from the French Couleé, meaning to flow.  We have just always called them gullies.



These good looking horses were gathered under a tree in the parking area. As with cattle, many horses are allowed to go wherever they want on the open rangeland in Montana. We could tell they were not wild, because the smallest of them bore a brand on its butt.  I could see only one mark on the adults.

On Tuesday we went to the Dinosaur Museum.  We learned that it was sponsored by the "Foundation Advancing Creation Truth", and that the dinosaurs were presented "in biblical context".  Which means they are presented as if all the dinosaurs lived within the last six thousand years or so. I decided I didn't want to go in. 

11 comments:

  1. Sometimes you have to speak with your feet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Never heard the phrase, speak with your feet. It's a good one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. As a retired teacher with 25 years of teaching Biology, I applaud your feet!

    ReplyDelete
  4. how strange. I might have gone in just to see what is being taught to some of the children...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Far as we know, the museum has no connection to local schools. So the only kids that are exposed to it are those taken there by their parents. Which is probably kind of a cultural feedback.

      Delete
  5. Where did you stay in Glendive? If it's not real hot we thought we'd stay at Makoshika but if there's a decent campground we'd stay there. That's really interesting about the museum - I'm going to have to ask my friend about it. I'd probably go in just to hear how in the world they present dinosaurs in a biblical sense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A local entrepreneur (is that word used in Montana?) is rejuvenating an RV park at exit 215 north of I-94 and is calling it Glendale RV park. Around $31/night, 50 amps, phone (406) 377-6721. URL is http://www.camprv.com/mt/glendivervpark/

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the info. I've got the website bookmarked.

      Delete
  6. We're in Glacier now. It's still smokey :-( Making it very difficult to get good pictures. And even harder to really appreciate the beautiful, deep views. We have another 10 days but I don't have high hopes. We're on our way down through UT next. Where did the smoke seem to clear out for you? I sure hope the smoke doesn't follow us down to UT. Cute little town, interesting about the radon. Do they monitor it? How do they know the levels won't sharply rise?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, wow. I had to google "dinosaurs in a biblical context" because I'd always thought the standard line was that dinosaurs didn't exist.

    ReplyDelete

Leave a comment, or send an email.