As previously posted we stayed at Devils Tower an extra day. Not obsessed with the Tower-no mashed potato sculptures-just needed to send a few post cards, download some photos, and add to the blog. The stay also gave Skip an opportunity to take his guitar to the community campfire where he sang and yodeled. It was a lot of fun!
Finally relaxed and totally into the trip I wanted to do some planning. Realizing that we had no reservations until Monday made me nervous. I did not want to sleep in a Walmart parking lot again (weren't too many around these parts) nor did I want to sleep on the side of the road. Pouring over a map with KOA directory in hand we planned the days until we check in Flagg Ranch. The only glitch was there was no KOA in western Nebraska. There were several state parks, but no ability to make reservations.
So with trepidation we left Wyoming yesterday to drive to Nebraska. Chadron State Park had an overnight opening for a bargain price of $21. It was pleasant enough; shaded, electric, and a long haul to the showers.
Prior to finding the campground we located a Walmart Superstore where we filled the cart with fruit and veggies! A vegetarian could starve to death in South Dakota and Wyoming. I love buffalo, but there was a craving for fish and veggies. Dinner was pasta with zucchini, mushrooms, onions and garlic. Yum!
We work early, broke camp (lifted the hydraulics) drove to the shower, then got on the road. We decided to see a portion of western Nebraska en route to Colorado, our next KOA reservation. Most of Nebraska was pretty flat with some rolling hills.
In the distance rose some bluffs, growing ever larger as we approached. Signs indicated that it was Scott's Bluff, a National Monument. Until we arrived we had no idea of the historical significance of this location. This was part of the Oregon Trail! We hiked a bit of it and listened at length to a history lesson offered by the Park Ranger we met along the way. Prior to this encounter I thought of Park Rangers as naturalists; this guy was a historian full of information about the Oregon Trail, Civil War, and the Pony Express which also passed through Mitchell's Pass. He tied the Pony Express to the Civil War as it was integral in keeping California informed of the situation and helped it be a free state. Fascinating and totally unplanned; hence the serendipity. It was important to us to leave room for that in our trip. Today was a win.
Finally relaxed and totally into the trip I wanted to do some planning. Realizing that we had no reservations until Monday made me nervous. I did not want to sleep in a Walmart parking lot again (weren't too many around these parts) nor did I want to sleep on the side of the road. Pouring over a map with KOA directory in hand we planned the days until we check in Flagg Ranch. The only glitch was there was no KOA in western Nebraska. There were several state parks, but no ability to make reservations.
So with trepidation we left Wyoming yesterday to drive to Nebraska. Chadron State Park had an overnight opening for a bargain price of $21. It was pleasant enough; shaded, electric, and a long haul to the showers.
Prior to finding the campground we located a Walmart Superstore where we filled the cart with fruit and veggies! A vegetarian could starve to death in South Dakota and Wyoming. I love buffalo, but there was a craving for fish and veggies. Dinner was pasta with zucchini, mushrooms, onions and garlic. Yum!
We work early, broke camp (lifted the hydraulics) drove to the shower, then got on the road. We decided to see a portion of western Nebraska en route to Colorado, our next KOA reservation. Most of Nebraska was pretty flat with some rolling hills.
In the distance rose some bluffs, growing ever larger as we approached. Signs indicated that it was Scott's Bluff, a National Monument. Until we arrived we had no idea of the historical significance of this location. This was part of the Oregon Trail! We hiked a bit of it and listened at length to a history lesson offered by the Park Ranger we met along the way. Prior to this encounter I thought of Park Rangers as naturalists; this guy was a historian full of information about the Oregon Trail, Civil War, and the Pony Express which also passed through Mitchell's Pass. He tied the Pony Express to the Civil War as it was integral in keeping California informed of the situation and helped it be a free state. Fascinating and totally unplanned; hence the serendipity. It was important to us to leave room for that in our trip. Today was a win.
I loved to listen to the guides in the parks, the history lessons were fascinating, we always checked the info board when we arrived at parks to see if any of the tours or talks coincided with our timeline...never disappointed in what we heard, added so much layers to what you saw around you. I am really loving taking this trip along with you and skip, enjoying seeing sites we loved and now making a list of new ones we have not yet seen. Continued Happy Trails
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gloria