The Land of Vivid Vacations
By: Dick Perue
In search of material for this week’s “Postcard,” I came across one of the best promotional pieces I’ve ever seen. It is 64 pages filled with hundreds of illustrations and photos featuring agriculture, recreations, scenic beauty, mining, cowboys, cowgirls, Native Americans, kids, ponies, cows, sheep, towns, parades, activities, lodges, dude ranches and on and on; maps which extend from Yellowstone east to the Black Hills and from southern Montana south to Casper; history of dozens of towns; stories and tall tales; a list of merchants who sponsored the well-illustrated, superbly written and informative issue of the “1939 Big Horn Mountain Edition” of the Sheridan Press dated Jan. 1, 1939. One of the best promotional pieces I’ve ever seen. Worthy of future “Postcards.”
Enjoy this first piece:
THIS EDITION is simply an invitation for you to “take the goods the gods provide.” To spend your vacation in a magic land with changing moods which will kindle delightful memories down through the years.
“The Great Spirit,” said old Chief Arapooish, “put this country exactly in the right place,” and the sage Crow chieftain had the choice of more than half of the North American continent. But, “this country” – a sweep of scenic splendor which unfolds in the Black Hills and rolls westward across the Big Horns to Yellowstone Park – was his “happy hunting ground.”
He was content, and the secret of his contentment is now being re-discovered by a modern world seeking vacations not only offering relaxation, but can stir imaginations grown sluggish at the grind-stone of everyday affairs. “This country,” composed roughly of 35,000,000 acres in northern Wyoming and southern Montana – a region once known as Absaroka, the land of the Crows, is still young and unspoiled.
It is a refreshing land of moods sometimes mighty “wondrous strange” and rugged, sometimes vast and overwhelming, sometimes simple and charming, sometimes sparkling and radiant, sometimes lovely and serene but always unforgettable.
Its moods change with the winding trails – trails where hostile Native Americans lurked scarcely more than a half-century ago. Each turn of the trail unfolds new wonders – wonders which cannot all be found in any other region in the world. It is the answer to your dream trip, the last great remaining cow country, the birthplace of the colorful dude ranches, snow-crested mountain peaks, mile-deep canyons, solitude trails among the pines, living-glaciers, dark- hued forests, crystal lakes, rushing trout streams, historic battlefields on which were fought the last of the Native American wars, old forts, amazing geysers, hot springs, dinosaur beds, Native Americans, relics, unapproached wilderness areas, pioneer settlements, caverns, waterfalls, wide open spaces, thrilling mountain highways, sagebrush hills, Wild West rodeos, big game along the road, weird war dances, cowboys, buffalo and elk herds, green valleys and cool comfort.
So, turn to the one and only “real West” for your vivid vacation. Follow those old Native American trails and realize “this country” was the last portion of the U.S. to be conquered by the white man, and it was only 60 years ago.
It’s an indescribable route, the charming Black Hills, the rolling prairies, the majestic Big Horns, the fertile basin, the towering Rockies and the strange wonders of Yellowstone. It is truly the land of the last frontier – a strapping and lusty young country which will always be remembered by those who taste its contentment and hospitality.
Concluding the article was an illustration of a “WELCOME” sign over a gate, with the mountains in the background.
