Blogs from Nebraska, United States, North America

We traveled to the park a day early as a storm with high winds was forecast for our original departure date. Once settled in, we drove into Scottsbluff and Mike got a haircut and we both got flu vaccines. Gusts were in the mid 40's by afternoon, though. We stay settled in the RV until Friday afternoon. After the wind calmed down a little, we enjoyed walking a few laps around the RV park to get some exercise. We let it warm up on Saturday and then headed to Scottsbluff National Monument. First, we toured the museum and watched the short video. Then, we drove up to the parking lot at the top of the bluff. The 1.6 mile drive up is through 3 tunnels in the bluff. At the top of the plateau, we hiked ... read more

We enjoyed a lovely site at this campground at Merritt Reservoir. While here we went to Smith Falls and crossed the pedestrian bridge over the Niobrara River part of the Cowboy Trail. Who doesn't love a waterfall? The nearby town of Valentine is where we stopped for lunch at the Peppermill Restaurant & Lounge for delicious burgers. We enjoyed sitting by the water at the back of our campsite. This was a nice relaxing stay. "The sunlight still shining, The water doesn't mind. It continues it's journey, Searching for it's destination."... read more

(Disclaimer: My narrative includes certainly elements best categorized as historical fiction. They may use terms that are not necessarily politically correct. Please accept them as necessary verisimilitude.) Our day started with a tour of the Ft. Leavenworth Frontier Army Museum.The collection consists mostly of various preserved frontier Army transportation vehicles, although it also includes uniforms and other Army paraphernalia. There are several larger weapons, such as gatling guns and howitzers. The fort here was established as a cantonment for troops under Col. Henry Leavenworth. Located on the (Kansas) side of the Missouri, the landing where a ferry was established became the unofficial jumping off point for the California Trail, the Santa Fe Trail, and the Oregon Trail. The fort was instrumental in securing the West for the westward expansion of the young United States. Later,... read more

Let the adventure begin!!! The first official day of the trip starting at my brother Jeff’s house in Carmel, IN and driving to York, NE. We feel like the first pioneers riding west in their covered wagons, except that we have a comfortable truck with all the luxuries, sleeping in hotels and eating in restaurants. Ok so we are nothing like the first pioneers except enjoying the scenery. I have always felt that the journey to our destination is as exciting as the destination itself. There is so much to see in our beautiful country and you just need to slow down to see. Once while traveling to Alabama, Kevin, Nathan (my cousin) and I stopped at a rest area in Elkmont. They have a Saturn rocket, lots of info about space travel and a Korean ... read more

June 26 This morning we had another fun walk down the road and thankfully most of the mud had dried up from yesterday’s hot weather. We met two ladies on the walk with two dogs and two young girls, one about 8-9 was bawling her eyes out complaining of having to walk. Seems mother’s remedy was to walk off and leave the bawling child behind about 100 ft. We were sympathetic to the mother and glad to see her generation letting her daughter understand the harsh realities of life. Yes it is hot outside! Since we had to put Red and Dottie back on leash it was a shorter walk than normal, just too noisy. LOL. It was a quiet afternoon, took a nap and did some chores. Late afternoon we started fishing. Yesterday, we only ... read more