Travels of Geo Nova

Pushing further west

We head to the far western parts of Nebraska, an area steeped in the history of the western expansion of the mid 19th century. A number of the roads that took us westward followed the historic Organ Trail. In fact most of the trails followed the Platte River. The Pony Express also followed this general route.

Scott’s Bluff is our last Nebraska stop. The large stone outcroppings were a landmark described in the journals of the westward migrants. The first is Chimney Rock then 12 miles down the road is Scott’s Bluff National Monument. We drove up to the top of the monument on a road constructed by the CCC during the Great Depression. This road includes 3 tunnels through the rock. After exploring the top I decided to hike the 3 miles down and Diana drove down. I was not aware of a storm brewing to the west. About half way down the trail there is a small people size tunnel. After exiting this tunnel the storm hit. The winds were the strongest I have ever experienced. They would not only stop me in my tracks but pushed me back while I was getting pelted with dust, grit and rain. The temperature dropped about 20 degrees. I know know what the westward travelers had to endure. The expression grit in your teeth hit home! At least Diana had the truck running with the hot seat on and took me back to the trailer for a hot shower and hot chocolate. I looked at my weather app and it said Scottsbluff had recorded wind speeds of 75 mph. I don’t know if that’s what hit me but what I experienced sure was powerful.

In addition to visiting the National monument we took a day trip to NW Nebraska to see The Agate Fossil Beds National monument along with the Forest service’s Toad Stool Geologic Park. The road to get here was interesting. Driving out in the middle of nowhere down a 12 mile long gravel road that wasn’t even on Apple Maps was fun(?).

Our last day was spent at The Legacy of the Plains Museum a world class museum. Of course we also had to explore the local microbrewery. I must say both good food and beer. Before leaving town Diana wanted to go to a local quilt store. Upon entering the establishment there was an older gentleman sitting there. I struck up a conversation with him. Serendipitously it turns out he was a retired local farmer who as a child used to play in his grandfather’s home, an original homesteader, that home is now part of the Legacy Museum.

The trip to Grand Tetons NP was over 400 miles so we broke it up with a stop in Casper Wyoming. We spent the night in a Harvest Host, you guessed it, another microbrewery/ restaurant. Lovely place the owner came over to our table to welcome us and make sure everything was ok. Bonus to the stop was a great BLM museum, The National Museum Of Westward Expansion. They had a “ride” simulating the crossing of the Platte River in a covered wagon and another riding in a stagecoach.

The Grand Tetons NP is indeed grand. We spend our days driving around and stopping at all the turnouts, some of which offered great hikes. We saw moose, grizzly bears, bison, coyotes, prong horn, elk and many different birds. I will let the photos tell the story.

So many beautiful spots it is hard to pick and choose what to show you.

David