Milk River, AB

When we reached the main campground, we loaded up the car, ate some lunch in the shade of a large cottonwood tree, and then decided to go hiking on a short trail that leads to a battle scene carved in sandstone. Given all of the bizarre rock formations, it came as no surprise that First Nation tribes like the Blackfeet, or Nitsitapii, once viewed this valley as a spiritual sanctuary, a place rooted in the supernatural.

Writing-on-Stone, in fact, has the highest concentration of native petroglyphs anywhere on the great plains of North America. Archaeologists have now unearthed evidence that humans have used the Milk River valley for at least 8,000 to 10,000 years. They believe it was a place for vision quests, a place to give thanks to the Creator for success in hunting or battle, or perhaps to seek spiritual guidance after major events. It's thought that the unusual rock formations may have acted as a means of communication with the Great Spirit.

To protect these sacred resources, most of the park is closed to visitation, and can be viewed only in the company of a park interpreter during guided walks. There has been a lot of vandalism in the past, so now there are hefty fines for anybody caught defacing a rock surface in the park, whether it's near a petroglyph or not.

By the time we returned to the car, we were feeling hot and dehydrated, so we chugged the last of our water. That's when I had a vision-surrounded by these strange rock formations, in this wildly spiritual place. The vision was one of clarity and purpose, and its urge was so powerful that I could no longer doubt. So we climbed into the car, started the engine, and drove up the steep road toward the town of Milk River. It was there, the Great Spirit told me, that I would find chocolate mint ice cream.

		During this special online offer, you can get a TRIAL ISSUE and receive 6 more (a total of 7 issues) for only $17.95 - you save 35% off the cover price! Outside the US? Canada or International GIVE A GIFT
				Email: First Name: Last Name: Address Line 1: Address Line 2: City: State: Zip: Select a payment option: Charge my credit card Bill me later Do you have a promotional coupon code? Enter Code: Please send me special offers and exclusive promotions from Canoe & Kayak's premiere partners.