We continue our trip through Nebraska…

We spent day 18 moving from Mitchell to North Platte. Along the way we stopped at Scotts Bluff National Monument. A great sandstone bluff and a badlands area blocked the path of the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail as they followed the Platte River and its fresh water. A narrow gap in the bluff allowed passage with just a short detour. There is a winding drive to the summit of the bluff that gives a great view of the gap and of the valley in all directions.

At North Platte we turned our attention to one of Greg’s favorite subjects: railroads. The Golden Spike Tower lets you see into one of the most amazing beehives of activity, the Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard. This huge place directs the path of rail cars as they travel east/west, services both cars and locomotives, and generally serves as the hub of the transcontinental railway. We also visited Cody Park, where a Challenger steam locomotive, a diesel locomotive, and a baggage car and mail car are displayed. It always amazes Greg just how big steam locomotives are.

Day 19 took us to Grand Island, where we will stay for three nights. On the way we stopped in Kearney and visited The Archway, a really cool museum that stretches across I-80. It tells the story of the various people groups that have travelled through the Platte River Valley over time and of how they travel, starting with Native Americans, to the Oregon/California/Mormon trails, to the Pony Express, to the railroads, and finally to the Lincoln Highway and I-80. There were some really moving stories of pioneer life.

The two days ahead are going to be great fun…more next time.