We spent this beautiful sunny day heading west across the state of Nebraska, following the Platte River all the way to Scottsbluff. Rather than use I-80, we did most of the miles on old Route 30, the "Lincoln Highway". (Another one of the original cross country roads - this one ran from Atlantic City to Astoria, OR). Its a great road that runs parallel to I-80, the Platte River and a main line of the Union Pacific RR. Speaking of RR, we saw a constant stream of mile-long coal trains heading east from Wyoming.
Along the way we came across a Sand Hill Crane reserve in Grand Island and a reconstructed Pony Express station in Gothenburg, complete with very knowledgeable guide who was a wealth of information. The Pony Express only lasted 18 months before it was killed off by the telegraph. I never knew it was a private operation, not US Gov't.
As we go into north western Nebraska, the terrain changes to rolling hills and occasional small canyons and buttes. Beautiful yellow ash trees in the hollows. Lots of cattle feedlots. Approaching Scottsbluff you see the famous Chimney Rock, which was an important guidepost on the Oregon Trail, signalling the end of the easy part.
We ended our day in Scottsbluff which has a large Sugar Beet processing plant and some huge beet piles (reminded us of American Falls). Tomorrow we'll check out the Scottsbluff National Monument then off to Colorado and Estes Park at Rocky Mountain National Park. (note: we not have wi-fi or cell service from there, so if we go missing for two days, that's why!)
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| Near Oshkosh, NE |
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| Rt 30 used to be the main road |
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| Many coal trains heading est |
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| Chimney Rock - distinctive landmark |
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| The Platte River |
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| Pony Express Station. Nebraska had 36 of them |
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| Huge grain elevators |
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| Oneonta U-Hauls are still around! (Our NY home) |
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