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Ian Wrights sets out to find out how the West was really
won
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Presenter: Ian Wright
Traveller Ian Wright's explores the Rocky Mountain
States of South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana
and Idaho. Steeped in myths and
legends of Native Indians and cowboys, Ian sets out on a journey
to find out how the West was really won.
Ian begins his journey in the Badlands of
South Dakota - learning the history and culture of the Lakota
Indians on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
After staying a night in a teepee, Ian heads for the Black
Hills, where 60 million years of erosion have created
a honeycomb of tunnels and caves. Ian goes potholing with
experienced caver Stan, exploring the endless caverns that
make up the Wind Caves.
Ian's next stop is the Indian holy mountain of Bear
Butte. This is the place where the Sioux gather to
pray and pay homage to the spirits.
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Teepees at Pine Ridge Reservation, Badlands, South Dakota
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From Bear Butte, Ian travels north to the town of Deadwood
near the border with Wyoming. Deadwood was once a wealthy
gold mining town, but now the main source of income is the
gaming parlours along the main street. Ian tries his hand
at poker and hears stories about the legends of the 'Wild
West' from one of the local cowboys.
Just outside Deadwood, Ian joins cowboy Dave at the Dude
Ranch and tries the local delicacy - bull calf gonads
- euphemistically known as Rocky Mountain Oysters.
On next leg of Ian's journey he drives through Montana to
Jackson Hole. He dons his leathers, joins a group
of Harley Davidson bikers and hits the open
road to take in more of the spectacular scenery the region
offers.
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En route to Jackson Hole, Ian stops off at the historic site
of Little Bighorn where General Custer
fell to the Sioux Indians. Arriving in Jackson Hole, Ian goes
gliding over the Teton Mountains. He hooks
up with a local who takes him to the world famous Yellowstone
National Park and Whitefish for a few quick lessons
in the art of snowboarding.
At the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho Ian
witnesses an authentic Pow wow - a spectacular song and dance
ceremony performed by the Nez Perce to honour their culture
and to worship the land.
The final leg of the journey takes Ian to the untouched wilderness
of the Glacier National Park where he negotiates
the white water rapids of the Salmon River.
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