The Blackfoot people referred to the Rocky Mountains as "the backbone of the world." From the foothills of Rockies to the East extends the Great Plains. To the West, the Rockies ultimately drop off into the Pacific Ocean. Add in the amazing length of the Rockies from North to South and it is not hard to see that from the Blackfoots' limited perspective at that time, they weren't that far off the mark. There were trails that went across and over the Rockies at various places. In all probability they were originally game trails that were then used by man. This image represents such a trail being used by three Blackfoot Warriors. – HT

NOTE: The original is part of the collection of the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville GA. Howard is the recipient of the Booth Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. The Booth houses the largest permanent exhibition space for western art in the U.S. Their collection also includes three other Terpning originals: River Crow, Legend of Geronimo and On the Brink.