Pompeys Pillar Picnic

Pompeys Pillar is one of the most famous sandstone buttes in America. It was named by Captain Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1806. It is named after Sacajawea's son. His name was John Baptist, but they nicknamed him Pomp. The butte is now a National Monument and you can still see where Clark carved his name in the rock about 200 feet up the side of the Butte.

This is Pompey's Pillar. It is on the Yellowstone River about 25 miles east of Billings. The Native Americans used it as a place for meditation and lookout. There are native drawings on the rock. It is a National Monument today because Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition carved his name in the rock, and this is the only place today that provides evidence that the explorer came this way.

Today the Gilmore family had a picnic at the pillar. We only have a few short weeks left with Sean before he goes on his mission to Argentina so we want to spend as much time together as we can. He wanted to see Pompey's Pillar one more time. He saw it last year with his tennis team. This is the first time the rest of the family has seen it.

We packed a lot of food for the picnic. It also was very warm today, hitting 90 degrees.

Page was a real trooper. She has had a terrible toothache all weekend and was in pain and nauseated, but still wanted to come enjoy the family outing. She really didn't get to eat much.

Sean loves his Root Beer. There will be no Root Beer in Argentina.

Mike with fried Mac and Cheese, recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

Lacey enjoying a turkey sandwich

We had a great picnic

Sean and I walked to the top of Pompey's Pillar to see Clark's signature. This signature in the rock is 202 years old.

Sean and I near the top of the Pillar

Sean on the Yellowstone River

Mike on the Yellowstone River (it was windy or my hat would have looked a lot cooler)

We saw some canoes carved out of trees at the base of the pillar