I Lay Me Down By Kootenai Brown

Where bison roam. 

By Maryanna Gabriel

The really interesting thing about when I travel is that I never quite know what is going to happen sometimes. Suddenly I found myself driving past such imaginative names as "Alberta Ranch Road" where bison roamed as I decided to head towards the southern border of Alberta. Here is some history. Mountains begin to appear above rolling ranch lands. These are the Porcupine Hills where once lived a Cree named "Charcoal" who killed his wife's lover named Medicine Pipe Stem. Cornered by the North West Mounted Police he then shot the arresting officer. In the end he was executed which seems like a lot of trouble to go to for fickle love. 

Kootenai Brown

Moving on I ventured further south enticed by the stunning panoramic views of the mountains and came upon the grave of Kootenai Brown. Kootenai Brown had carefully chosen a lovely hillside overlooking a lake framed by snow capped mountains. Not at all lonely, a wife lay to each side of him. I later learned he was a whiskey trader who settled in the Waterton Lakes after being wounded by a Blackfoot. Tired by my journey and enticed by the heat of the sun, the lovely grass, the hypnotic buzz of the cicadas, and the peace of the place, I too lay me down by Kootenai Brown and enjoyed respite from life's cares. He chose a good spot to rest.

Resting place of Kootenai Brown.