We started out our day today with a homemade breakfast of fried eggs, toast, coffee, juice, and of the Willa Cather Foundation that operates the Airbnb. After loading we drove around the town to visit some more of the Willa Cather sites. We visited her original home, her home church, and the Milner family home upon which she based her book My Antonio. We drove by the foundation home in the old opera house, but it wasnt open yet. Our goal today was Chimney Rock and Scottsbluff, both in Nebraska. Ultimately we were headed to Chadron, NE to spend the night on our way to Mt Rushmore and Rapid City.
We drove across Nebraska on several two lane roads. We met little traffic..many times thinking we were the only ones on the road. After driving through the plains, we made it to Interstate 80 where we decided to stop at The Archway near Kearney, Ne. It is a monument that crosses over Interstate 80 the adventurers who followed the Great Platte River Road to help settle America. They followed the OregonTrail, the Pony Express, and then helped build the Transcontinental Railroad. That lead to The
Lincoln Highway and the Interstate system. It was a great place to visit and we were so glad we stopped.
We got back on the road and drove about 15 miles down the road when Terry realized he didnt have his wallet. While he was waiting onKaren, Ed, and I to finish up in the gift shop, he sat at a picnic table near our vehicle and worked a crossword puzzle. Apparently his wallet fell out of his pocket there. While he looked for a place to turn around, I called The Archway and asked if they could go check for us. By the time we got back there Terrys wallet was in the hands of the staff at the gift shop. We were praising God that the wallet was found and we didnt get further away before we realized it was missing. Of course Terry beat himself up for the rest of the day!
Driving through Nebraska we saw the plains with grasses everywhere. Then the landscape changed to rock formations on both sides of the road. Later on we drove through hills and pine thickets, then back to the huge rock formations. We also found the
smoke and haze from the wildfires we had heard about on the news. While we couldnt smell the smoke, we could see the haze. It really made looking at landforms in the distance almost impossible to see.
As we were traveling I saw a sign for the Pony Express Museum. Since it was only a couple miles or so out of the way we decided to visit. Moved to the site in Gothenburg was an original Pony Express cabin where the riders would exchange their horse for a fresh one. You could also mail post cards with special Post marks and of course buy souvenirs. There was a park nearby so we had our lunchtime picnic. Two big, fat red squirrels were our entertainment.
Next stop was Chimney Rock. It is one of the most famous landmarks for pioneer travelers on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. The first thing I spied when we pulled I the parking lot was the rattlesnake warnings! Of course that put me on my guard. We went in to the gift shop. I collect magnets of all the places Ive visited and I always try to support all museums, monuments, and parks
I visit. The woman working there was the most unfriendly, grouchy person Ive ever encountered. We didnt stay long!!
Next up was Scotts Bluff National Monument. This monument was also an important landmark on the Oregon and California Trails and for the Pony Express. The staff here was very friendly and we enjoyed our visit. We drove up the bluff to the top and met several travelers. It was fun exchanging travel ideas!
By this time we were tired and ready to head to dinner and our lodging for the night. Tomorrow we head in to South Dakota. Looking forward to our return to Mt Rushmore.
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