We entered Nebraska from Iowa on I80 crossing the great Missouri River
into Omaha. We enjoyed talking with the folks at the visitor center
and traveled on. Our route took us by Ashland, Lincoln,
Aurora, Grand Island, Hastings, Alda, Kearney, Holdrege, Lexington,
Gothenburg and to North Platte. We saw a few cranes, but not
many since it was late summer. ....CAL.
"For five weeks each spring, the Platte River valley in south-central Nebraska is
the site of the largest gathering of cranes in the world and one of the most awe-inspiring
wildlife spectacles anywhere. From February through April, nearly 500,000 sandhill cranes
linger along an 80-mile stretch of Nebraska's Platte River. "
Cross Country Trip Monday 1997
After spending the night in North Platt. Monday morning we visited the North Platt's Cody Park Railroad Display. Upon leaving North
Platt we followed the Oregon and Mormon trails from I80 up US26. This route included Ogallala, Ash Hollow (where we had a picnic lunch, visted the visitor
center and cave), and a side trip to the base of Court House and Jail rocks. We ended the
day near Chimney Rock on the Oregon Trail and checked into our log cabin...CAL.
"This is a history trek! Four or six days out on the Nebraska prairies with a wagon
train. You will experience life as it was on the Oregon Trail in 1850. Treks in June, July
and August. Special treks for your group of 20 or more.
Enjoy a covered wagon tour of the Oregon Trail. We also offer tent camping, log cabins,
3 hour tours of Chimney Rock. We have a 10 space RV Park. Shady, level, grassy sites. All
are pull-through. Spaces rent for $15 per night for full service (electricity, sewer, and
water). Showers are available. "
Cross Country Trip Monday Night 1997
We spent a night in one of the log cabins with a great view of Chimney Rock. It had hot
and cold water and even electric lights! No phone or TV -- nice break, but our young ones
did ask why no TV. We didn't have time to watch TV anyways.
We had a great time on the covered wagon ride, wonderful food at the cookout, learned to
square dance with the folks heading out on a four day trek and watched the storms roll
across the plains that evening. That night I woke to the howling of a cyote and the
whistle of a train -- What sounds! Brought back memories of camping out as a kid! Too bad
our kids were too tired and slept right through it. We had to keep the cans of off
close....CAL.
Cross Country Trip Tuesday 1997 We visited Chimney Rock
first thing in the morning. The rest of the morning, we continued on US26 and went by Scottsbluff and Gering into Wyoming.....CAL.
"Ainsworth is the gateway city to canoeing and recreational fun. The town has many
places to eat, lodging, and service stations located in the heart of some of the finest
deer, turkey, duck, grouse, and pheasant hunting in the state. There are numerous sandhill
lakes, ponds, and trout streams with great fishing, canoeing, tubing, and camping
available. There are also state recreation facilities such as Keller State Park and the
Long Pine Recreation Area which has a new archery range. "
"Alda, originally named "Pawnee" after the Pawnee Indian Tribe, came into
existence in 1860. The community's name later changed to "Alda" after the first
child, named Alda, was born in the community to a Union Pacific Railroad foreman. "
"Located 2.5 miles north of Alliance on US 385 is Carhenge, a unique replica of
Stonehenge. This mysterious stone circle, erected about 2000 BC in southern England,
intrigued Jim Reinders, now living in Albuquerque, who created Carhenge on his farm in
June 1987.
Four years later over 750 people participated in a festival which raised the Heel Stone
(a 1962 Cadillac) using methods of the Ancients. To some Carhenge is art; to some, whimsy;
and to others, junk! Enjoy it. "
"Whatever your entertainment pleasure, you'll find it in the Auburn area. Fine
music, specialty shopping, sports, the outdoors, arts and family outing opportunities are
available year-round. "
"This is a country rich in pioneer history and recreational opportunities.
Homestead National Monument of America, site of the nation's first homestead, the Filley
Stone Barn, The Gage County Museum and Courthouse are all waiting to be discovered by
modern day "pioneers".
Visitors can experience a host of outdoor activities from hunting pheasants to pitching
horseshoes, from fishing at Rockford Lake to outings in one of the many community
parks."
"Few towns can state that their community was moved from one location to another,
but that is exactly what happened to Colon, Nebraska in 1879. The first location was about
3 miles north of the today's community. The town was relocated to accommodate a new post
office between Wahoo and Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska. The village was platted Chicago
Northwestern Railroad land. An early settler, Mr. Leander Taylor moved to this new
railroad town from Colon, Michigan, thus the name "Colon" was adopted.
Another early businessman, John P. Olander, an immigrant from Sweden, built a blacksmith
shop in 1890. Other businesses quickly followed and by the end of 1890, Colon could boost
two grain elevators, a livery stable, saloon, coal-grain-livestock store, 2 general
mercantile stores and the post office. Telephones came early in the 1900's and Colon was
the first Saunders County, Nebraska community to have the dial system installed.
A Presbyterian Church was built in 1906 and served the community until 1950. A two room
school house was built in 1903 providing education for grades one through eighth. Some
years included education through the tenth grade but this system was discontinued in the
late 1930's when the high school was discontinued. Today's students attend school in Wahoo
or Cedar Bluffs.
In 1919, St. Joseph's Catholic Church was constructed in town. The church was originally
located northwest of Colon moved after the Holy Rosary Church was closed in 1918. The
large spired church continues to minister to the community today."
"Cook is a small rural community in southeast Nebraska, approximately sixty miles
south of Omaha. The only covered bridge on a county road in Nebraska is a highlight of our
small town.
Cook has won the Tree City-USA award for eleven consecutive years, along with the Keep
Nebraska Beautiful award, for its tree planting efforts.
A good time to visit Cook is in July when the annual Windmill City Days is held. The
celebration includes softball and sand volleyball tournaments, barbecues, a beer garden, a
dance, a classic car show and other entertainment. Cook was originally known as the
Windmill City due to the prairie windmills that once pumped water from artesian wells.
"
" in northeast Nebraska. The Missouri River and Gavins Point Dam is our north
boundary. Creighton has many businesses, an excellent educational system, seven churches,
the only hospital in Knox County, a long-term care center, airport, public 9-hole golf
course, bed and breakfast and a retirement village. The area is well known for its
abundance of deer, quail, turkey and pheasants. Other tourist attractions include:
Santaland -- Come see more than 200,000 lights on display in shapes of airplanes,
helicopters, glow worms and much more! Santa's workshop is filled with toys made by
mechanical elves who load them onto a mechanical train. Santaland is on display from
December 1st through the 24th at Bruce Park.
Winnetoon -- Just 3 miles west and 3 miles north of Creighton is the Village of
Winnetoon. With a population of fewer than 100 people, the little village of Winnetoon has
a spirit of entrepreneurship. The Winnetoon Mini-Mall features items such as natural
foods, outpost antiques, village woodwork and kaleidoscope handcrafts.
Ashfall State Historical Park -- Located 13 miles west and 3 miles south of Creighton.
It is a world class exhibit of 10 million year-old fossils being unearthed while you watch
in the Rhino Barn. Ashfall is visited by more than 40,000 visitors a year! "
"The Greater Sioux Cities tri-state area provides a wealth of recreational
opportunities for those interested in the outdoors, history, culture or sports. Facilities
and programs for recreational and professional sports, horse and car racing, cultural
activities and a full range of high school and collegiate spectator sports are available
in the area. "
"The ethnic groups that pioneered here left a heritage of self-reliance, loyalty
and respect for personal freedom. Friendship and enthusiasm make David City a special
place in which to live. "
"A small village nestled in the rolling hills mid-way between the Platte River and
the Republican River, Eustis is located just off Highway 23 and is 13 miles south of
Interstate 80. With air service at North Platte and Kearney, Neb., Eustis is only an hour
away from the rest of the world. The village has a proud German heritage which has been
kept alive by many customs, foods and celebrations. On Jan. 8, 1993, Eustis was declared
the "Sausage Capital of Nebraska" by the Nebraska Legislature.
A strong German heritage includes A German heritage celebration similar to an
Oktoberfest, Wurst Tag is a family celebration held the first Saturday in June each
year."
"The Oregon Trail enters Nebraska and crosses the southwest corner of Gage County.
It was along this trail some 300,000 emigrants crossed the frontier on their way west in
the 1840's. A number of other less known frontier trails also bisect the county. "
Film star Robert Taylor, silent screen star Harold Lloyd, and Clara Berwick Colby all
called Beatrice home.
"'Wild Bill' Hickock was tried for murder in Beatrice for killing David McCanles at
Rock Creek Station. Hickock, who as said to have killed 200 people in his 39 years started
the bloodiest part of his career with this shooting. He was acquitted after pleading
self-defense. "
"rich in history, lies just east of Scotts Bluff National Monument, a well-known
landmark on the Oregon Trail. Gering is located in Western Nebraska's Scotts Bluff County
just 40 miles north of I - 80. It is centrally located between the Colorado Front Range,
Yellowstone National Park and Mt. Rushmore. "
"Hartington is located in a picturesque setting, nestled amongst the rolling
prairie hills of Northeast Nebraska. This setting not only provides solitude from the
normal hustle and bustle of city life, but also provides several excellent recreation and
entertainment options for area residents and visitors. "
"Humboldt's City Parks include our outstanding tree-lined city square. Shade trees,
walkways, picnic tables and playground equipment give this park a feeling of relaxation,
nature and community. "The Square" is center stage every September for the
Richardson County Free Fair.
Kirkman's Cove Recreation Area" ... "is a flood control lake on 510 acres,
managed by the Nemaha Natural Resources District. The 160-acre recreational lake reaches a
depth of 40 feet. Kirkman's Cove second purpose after flood control is FUN. It is a
stocked fishing lake (5 mph limit) with a swimming area, picnic tables and shelter,
playground equipment, ball field, and sand volleyball.
Fishing for small and large mouth bass, bluegill and channel cat on local and private
lakes, ponds, area rivers and streams is a treat.
Hunting turkey, pheasant, quail, dove and deer are just a few of the area's game."
"Johnstown was the filming site for the CBS television movie O'Pioneers. Viewing
the old-fashioned Main Street with board sidewalks is a trip down memory lane. Stop at
Berry Park or try your hand at trout fishing in Plum Creek. There is also excellent
turkey, deer, and duck hunting. Every Labor Day weekend Johnstown hosts the Brown County
Fair and Rodeo. "
What to do, What to do. Just some of the things to do -- Fort Kearny State Rec. Area
& Historical Park (Sandhill Cranes), Audubon's Lillian Annette Rowe Sanctuary with
Tours and Blinds, or the Platte River
Area attractions include "15 Antique Shops, Dawson County Museum, Eagle Viewing
Center, Elwood Reservoir, Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles, Johnson Lake, Lakeside
Country Club and Lexington Family Aquatic Center"
"A "must see" in Long Pine is the Long Pine Heritage House Museum,
located in a former rooming house which catered to railroad crews during the era when the
town was a division point on the Central & Northwestern Railroad. The Pines Resort is
located on Pine Creek and has rooms and cabins available. Pine Valley Resorts has seven
newly built cabins nestled in a canyon above Pine Creek. The Long Pine State Recreation
Area also is on Pine Creek and is available for camping, picnicking, and trout fishing.
Visitors come from far and wide to float in Pine Creek on inner tubes. "
Includes Norfolk, Orchard, Bancroft, Winnebago Tribe, Battle Creek, Neligh, Blair, Omaha
Tribe, Meadow Grove, Clarkson, Madison County, Ponca State Park, Tilden, Plainview, Pierce
County, Ionia Volcano, Royal, Niobrara, Santee Tribe, Lewis & Clark Lake, and Gavins
Point Dam.
"Omaha's warm, friendly difference brings visitors back to our tourist attractions
again and again. The world's largest indoor rain forest, the Union Pacific Railroad
Museum,a river boat ride on the Missouri, a tour of Boys Town and a night in our historic
Old Market district are just a few of the reasons to consider Omaha for your next meeting
or convention. "
"The friendly citizens of Rushville encourage you to explore their area! Rushville
is located in the land of the Old West influenced by Indians, cowboys and homesteaders.
Today, descendants of cattle barons, cowboys, sodbusters, Indian chiefs and great warriors
keep the spirit of the Old West alive.
Rushville offers visitors a safe, friendly and inexpensive base for visiting nearby
attractions, an ample selection of local attractions and family oriented community
recreation. Rushville also provides visitors with a variety of restaurants, motels and
campgrounds."
Area attractions
including Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Badlands National Park, The Black Hills
& Mount Rushmore, Chadron State Park, Fort Robinson State Park & Post Playhouse,
Museum of the Fur Trade, Wounded Knee, Arthur Bowring Sandhills Ranch State Historical
Park, and Carhenge
"Tree-lined streets, beautiful homes . . . a blend of old and new forms our
neighborhoods, and a warmth that is characteristic of a community of caring people."
"Since the pioneer days the Scottsbluff/Gering region has been well traversed. Fur
traders, frontiersmen, stage coaches, and the Pony Express all journeyed through the area.
The Mormon and Oregon Trails followed either side of the North Platte River which runs
directly between the two towns. For people heading west, the huge sedimentary mass
towering hundreds of feet above the prairie -- now known as Scotts Bluff National Monument
-- stood as a welcome landmark that the western lands were beyond."
"Any town in America would be proud of Wahoo's honor roll of native sons: Baseball
Hall-of-Famer, Samuel "Wahoo Sam" Crawford; Pulitzer Prize winner, Dr. Howard
Hanson; artist and author, Clarence W. "Herk" Anderson; Nobel Prize winner, Dr.
George Beadle; and movie maker, Darryl F. Zanuck."
Nebraska