Howard Johnson Express Sandusky Cedar Point

... of rail in 1869 and cars in 1918 on highway 30 to now this mega highway I - 80.<br><br>Fort Kearny (notice the spelling has changed) Historical Park and State Park is about 4 miles south of town on the south of the Platt River.<br>The Fort was the only defence for the wagon trains going west in the early days so again all the different Trails converged here which enabled repairs and supplies. 

... 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>

Another cold and rainy day. Dave wanted to take me to the Lewis and Clark exhibit in St. Charles, but I wanted to hit the road. It turns out that I drove right past a Lewis and Clark museum in Nebraska City so I stopped. It was a very impressive. It seems ...

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.

We traveled north through Oklahoma and Kansas (via I 35;I 135; US 81) for 12 hours. Finally, after traveling for 12 hours, we found a place to stop!!! It was nice having our RV to just park. It was 48 degrees, Tuesday Morning, in Grand Island, NE!!!

... 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.

... I leave keeps getting longer. However, I completed one of the most important tasks today and finalized everything for my apartment. It's definitely a relief to know that I have a place to live once I get there! One task down, only about 100 more to go!

What can I say about the number one amusement park in the USA? It was a great experience. The first day Top Thrill Dragster was open but the second day it was. It rained and closed the ride before we could get on it. The best ride for me was Millennium Force. My cousin and I will return next summer to tackle Top Thrill Dragster. Cedar Point is a must for anyone that enjoys roller coasters and amusement parks.