First Inn Gold Kearney

We left Omaha in the  morning and decided to travel the back roads that most closely followed the original settlers and their wagon trains as they headed west. In the  evening we arrived at Kearney and stayed at a very nice state park adjacent to the old fort.Nebraska is already surprising us, and we are thoroughly enjoying our time here. <br>So the town is called Kearney but it is pronounce ...

... pea sized hail for about 20 minutes. <br><br>From Chimney Rock I went up to Carhenge in Alliance NE. This is a replica of Stonehenge but it is made of cars, to the correct dimensions of Stonehenge. Kind of tacky but definitely an icon of western Nebraska. <br><br>After Carhenge I continued east, again getting more rain, and spent the night in Kearney NE.

The Oregon Trail guidebook we are using recommended a visit to Pioneer Village in lovely Minden, Nebraska. The guidebook boasts "something for everyone" and "over 50,000 historical items". Hmmm...sounds good. Our plan was to camp at the lovely Pioneer Village campground and see Pioneer Village in its entirety. We were expecting almost a Williamsbury type experience ...

The drive to Kearney, NB today was very long. This was the first time in three trips West that I have encountered extended traffic stops on the interstate. My luck finally ran out. We stopped at Cabela's. This is my second trip to this store. It is fabulous. I bought some new assault rifles to defend myself when I get to California. Check out my photo with the bear. It is in the entrance of Cabela's store.<br>

... many towns in the Midwest use Lewis and Clark as a tourist attraction. I wanted to ride the buffalo, but the docent went nuts. I wanted to try on Sacajawea's bison skin , but they didn't like that either. This is a great stop if you are ever in the area ...

So after five weeks of enduring America's public transport system, it comes as a relief to head west from Chicago in a car. I'm sharing the petrol and driving with a fella moving West from Chicago, who turns out to be a bit of a character. The first day takes us 800 miles over the Great Plains through Iowa to Western Nebraska - thoroughly uninteresting landscape but pretty stunning skies.

... past 110 on a straight stretch of freeway, trying to get ahead of the storm as the first few golfball-sized hailstones fell around us. Got past it just before it crossed the freeway. Didn't need a broken windshield and dented up car a few hours after fixing the oil leak. Once we were past it, it put on a spectacular lightning show and gave us a chance to stop for some dramatic photographs.

... the first one only lasted 30 minutes but the rain was severe, causing some drivers to pull over. The second storm, this time in Nebraska, was about an hour with high winds but the rain was lighter. It did serve to drop the temperatures from the low 30sC to the low 20sC, which was a nice break. I stopped for the night in Kearney, Nebraska (about half-way across the state). Total mileage today: 1087km

Today was a long long drive. To make it worse, I was just plain sick. I did make a run by the famous "Rock City" that I always saw the "See Rock City" signs as a kid. I did not bother to pay to go in. I was not feeling well. I got to the hotel and crashed hard.

... usual at Ole's Big Game Restaurant. We knew it would be a good photo opportunity for Harley as he has never seen a giraffe,elephant,polar bear,buffalo black bear and allllllllllll the MANY other animals there!! We made it our dinner stop as it was only about 2 hours from Kearney We have about 320 miles left until we are back to home sweet home. Thanks for a great trip Tom...I have loved our journey together and look forward to MANY more!