As we continued our trek northward it seemed like we were starting springtime all over with every stop we made. When we left south Texas all the leaves were out – everything had turned green and the temps were hitting the 90s. But with each leg of our northbound journey the leaves would shrink back into the branches and all the birds and squirrels would disappear. As we stayed at each place for a week or so the leaves would pop out, the grass would green up, dandelions would appear overnight and the squirrels and birds would be everywhere. Then the prediction of storms would come and we would move further north before the storms would hit and do it all over again. Eternal springtime – or a couple months of it anyway.
Above is the Great Platte River Archway that spans I-80 near Kearney, Nebraska. After it was built, this 309 foot, 1500 ton monstrosity was rolled across the highway on giant multi-wheeled transporters. The interstate was closed for eight hours while they did this. That was in 1999. It is privately owned and has the distinction of being a bit of a tourist trap with lots of displays and multi-media experiences - and the required tourist gift and souvenir shops. I have heard you can get the Prairie Dog peanuts there - which are similar to the Bucky Nuggets from the Bucky’s truck stops in Texas - and they are made out of similar parts of the various rodents. Good stuff!
Caught this little guy spying on us from his lofty perch one morning in Beatrice, Nebraska. Not sure if he was just checking us out or if he was contemplating what type of RV to get next. If I were to give him any advice it would be to get a coach rather than a 5th wheel – they are much easier for the squirrels to handle – at least that’s what I’ve been told.
During a quick stop in Gothenburg, Nebraska we took the time to visit an old sod house and museum complete with life-sized barbed wire sculptures of western stuff – like Bison and a horse with an Indian warrior riding it. Can’t imagine riding bareback on a barbed wire horse – Ouch! I would have a hard time with the sod house also – imagine living in it during rainy damp periods with all the worms coming out of the walls and floor, beetle larva waiting to hatch and the prairie dogs thinking they have died and gone to heaven. You would definitely have to like that “earthy smell” to live in one of these.
Along I-80, going through Nebraska, the rest stops have some interesting art forms on display. This is a wind sculpture that actually moves (each piece is hinged and moves independently) and chimes when the wind is right and strong enough.
Near Valentine, Nebraska we visited the Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge and took the driving loop around it visiting the Bison, Elk and the Painted Ponies. This old guy was just fascinated with us – must have been a slow day.
Also on the Refuge was this little waterfall along one of the hiking paths.
As we made our way north through the little towns they all seem to have signs or unique little attractions that catch the eye, sometimes it’s a water tower, other times it’s a memorial, building relief, murals, or graffiti. They all seem to have something they can call their own.
We knew we were in the upper Midwest when we ran into this little guy. One of the multitudes of Prairie Dogs in the area. It’s always fun to watch these guys in the Prairie Dog towns as they run, play, and just have fun. All under the watch of the “guard dogs” who forego the fun in order to warn and protect all the other Prairie Dogs in the case of an approaching predator who might want to eat them. Nothing like a little dog snack in the springtime!
As we were nearing Rapid City, South Dakota and Ellsworth Air Force Base, we had a tire malfunction of sorts. About 30 miles out from the base I looked in the rear view mirror and I saw chunks of tire flying off along the road. It immediately brought that old, well used Scandinavian/Dakota saying to my lips -
UFF-DA!
We pulled over to the side of the interstate, put down the hydraulic stabilizers and commenced to change the tire. The hardest part about the whole thing was the tire tread with all the steel belting you see to the side – it was wrapped very tightly around the axel right along side of the brake drum. Luckily I have some very good cutters in my tool box and after what seemed like a very long time was able to cut it free so we could be on our way again. Fortunately with very minor damage. Next came the pocket book devastating statement of - “I want the 14 ply, super heavy duty tires on the 5ver” process. I’m sure the tire shops will accommodate us, if you have the money they always do.
During our four day stay at Ellsworth AFB we were entertained by repeated fly-overs by the B-1 Bombers stationed there. Very seldom did we see more than two at a time but they made enough noise that it is rather difficult to ignore them. They still do not put mufflers on those things. I had the opportunity to work with the weapons systems for these guys during the later part of my Air Force career and they are quite the awesome plane!
While we were wandering around Rapid City one day we took the downtown route and visited all the statues of the mostly dead presidents. Through the historic downtown district they have life size bronzes of all the past presidents of the United States, most done in the iconic and historic pose of each man. We enjoyed our walk through the roughly 10 block area and then took a lunch break at the Fire House Brewery/Winery – might pass on that one next time.
With this last stop at Ellsworth AFB we took care of those irritating things like drivers licenses, ID cards, vehicle and 5th wheel maintenance - then it was off to Spearfish, South Dakota for our volunteer stint at D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery. We will be here until the end of June at which time we will head west one more time and start our next adventure – spending the end of July and all of August in Alaska (without the 5th wheel).
Unfortunately I have fallen behind a bit on the posting of the blogs and my writing – so there will be a new blog coming out within the next couple of weeks to update you on our current location and doings.
We leave you with a springtime Nebraska sunset taken with a polarized filter on a rather stormy evening.
Home is where we park it!
Lee & Linda
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