Last November Linda and I traveled scenic Highway 30 when traveling back from Colorado. We one upped that this past weekend by taking Highways 2 & 91 on our return from Chadron State Park. Nebraska’s oldest and most beautiful park by far. My old buddy Greg is the Park Superintendent there, his invitation to come visit just the prompt we needed.
The Nebraska Panhandle is Real. The people are Real. No pretentions, no cliques, no botox, no noses in the air. No Life Time Fitness. Coincidence? Hard working, hard scrabble people, no nonsense, just nose to the grindstone.
As we were loading the tent and sleeping bags Sunday morning we found a flat driver’s side rear tire. A fine young man fetched an air bubble from the park’s maintenance shed, we easily made the 8 miles back to Chadron, steeling ourselves for the hosing we would surely receive as “Easterners.” Pulled into Quality Tire, small hole patched for $15 and back on the road in less than 20 minutes. The theme of Friendly, Genuine Folk repeated over and over during our travels.
Our tour was unhurried as is my want when traveling. The hell with I-80 and all those Important People rushing to their Urgent Lives. We took the time to enjoy the natural beauty that exists 500 miles to our west. After hiking the Scottsbluff National Monument Sunday evening I doubted I would find anything more impressive. I underestimated. Time seeking out off the beaten path historical markers well spent. Feeding my hunger for the history of Our state. Confirming that I love Nebraska- its the people I occasionally have a problem with, a phenomena that completely faded out yonder.
If I was (and I was!) an outsider when moving here from Texas, I am no longer. I’ve made it a point to embrace what is Really Good about Nebraska. Become a student of our state. Making it my home. Traveling the highways and by ways, seeking out the gems, meeting Good People all along the way. Developing a deep appreciation for what The Good Life really means.
Take the time to get your noses out of the air and your heads out of your you know what. Take a road trip. Relax. Its out there. Seek it. Enjoy.
4649′ above sea level. The Scottsbluff Monument is a treasure.
Second stop, the Agate Fossil Beds. Deep, deep history, millions of years old.
Fort Robinson played a key in the westward expansion and pillaging of the Native Americans.
Toadstool very much resembles a moonscape. We chatted with some hunters out of Lincoln as they dressed out their morning’s kill of three antelope. One of the things that we should all treasure is the Public Lands available.
Learning my state one marker at a time.
Every marker worth seeking out. Descriptions of places and events. Close your eyes and you can see.
I was blown away by the impressive ruggedness of Chadron State Park. Miles and miles of trails revealing a singular beauty most home grown Nebraskans (East of the Platte) will never experience.
After 13 years I finally realized my desire to see Carhenge. All the better that it is with my dear, sweet Linda.
This little gem jumped out of nowhere as we followed the Middle Loup River. The Good Life.
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