Oregon Trail Heaven

            As I mentioned last time I had to go to Scottsbluff in Nebraska for business last February and my drive across I-80 turned out to be more entertaining than most people would believe. The second half of our journey started when we veered off I-80 and headed northwest on highway 26.

Scenic Nebraska

            If you haven’t figured it out yet I am a little bit in love with the Oregon Trail and for me, getting to walk and stand where the pioneers were and see what they saw is my goal when on vacation. So, for me, highway 26, which passes multiple Oregon Trail sites, is heaven. There are major landmarks along this highway, Courthouse and Jail Rocks, Chimney Rock and Scottsbluff. Ash Hallow is also located along this section.

            I knew as we drove the highway I would see these historic places, what I did not expect were the river bluffs. Highway 26 follows the North Platte closely. We turned onto Highway 26 and almost immediately began climbing hills.  After we crested the hill, I thought we had topped a simple change of elevation, but I was genuinely shocked when we came upon a severe drop down to the river below. It was beautiful and breathtaking. Nebraska is definitely not flat and even more than that, even in February it was beautiful.

Chimney Rock

            As we wound toward Scottsbluff we passed by Ash Hallow and I really began to feel that thing. That feeling you get when you know you’re standing on historic ground and you know what people went through when they were also standing there. The feeling grew as we continued on our journey.

            Next, we came upon Courthouse and Jail Rocks. These monoliths were significant trail markers that guided the pioneers on their journey. I saw these natural monuments, felt excited, and connected in a way I did not feel along I-80. I was seeing what they saw 165 years ago. We   This rock is incredibly distinctive; the top stretches in a thin column toward the sky, and sits virtually alone on the landscape standing out as a haven, a stopping place, and an important historic landmark. Next we approached Chimney Rock, the next monument along the trail, which you can see for miles before you actually reach it.

            The site is a National Park Service and has a Visitor’s Center loaded with things to entertain and teach. The Ethel and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center has museum exhibits, a video that tells the story of the Oregon Trail, and even has an interactive activity where you can pack your wagon for the Oregon Trail. This a unique site and definitely worth some time during your travels.

            We completed our journey in Gering, next door to Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Gering is home to a wonderful museum that features a history of agriculture and the plains. The Legacy of the Plains Museum is a new creation.  The museum is a combination of the agriculture museum and the Museum of the North Platte. The Legacy of the Plains Museum houses a huge collection of agricultural equipment they still use to raise crops on the property. The rest of the museum covers the history of the plains in Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas. The Museum building is brand new and they have a wonderful video that discusses different aspects of Plains history from farming, Native Americans, pioneers, cities, to art.

View at Scottsbluff

          Next door to the Legacy of the Plains Museum is Scottsbluff National Monument. The two actually share a boundary and making a day of seeing both is what I recommend. Both sites have multiple events throughout the year and any of these would be a wonderful time to visit. Scottsbluff has multiple trails that lead up and around the bluff. Any of these offer wonderful views of the river valley and the neighboring towns of Scottsbluff and Gering. We weren’t able to hike the trails at the monument because they were closed due to the recent snowfall. I have e very intention of return to the area and spend several days exploring the history and nature of the area. I was only able to spend one day in Scottsbluff and that is not nearly enough time. We’ll need several days, as will you, to see and take in the beauty and importance of this area of Nebraska.

            As we drove away from the Oregon Trail monuments we’d discovered on our business trip I couldn’t help but wish we’d had days to spend in the area so that I could savor that feeling of connection I’d found there. I know I will be returning to experience again that feeling of connection and discover more things I hadn’t expected to find. The Plains are full of places to see and experience that you might never have thought of before. I encourage you to plan your next vacation with care so you don’t miss any of the entertainment and sites the area has to offer.

VC Parking Lot at Scottsbluff

From Parking Lot at Scottsbluff

Leaving Scottsbluff, headed south

Driving Across Nebraska

           Earlier this year I had to drive across Nebraska to Scottsbluff for work. While I usually like to take my time on drives in order to enjoy the quirky little things you find along the way, but this trip we were on a timeline and so we couldn’t take the Lincoln Highway Historic Byway, otherwise known as highway 30. I wanted to take this highway because there are many things to see, including Oregon Trail sites. Since we had to take Interstate 80 I was a little disappointed, but I discovered that even the interstate can be entertaining.

            I have heard the drive across Nebraska described as boring, dull, and interminable. I discovered that all those opinions were wrong. I can see how if you see Nebraska as merely means to an end at a ski resort or mountain retreat you might describe it that way, but I found I-80 rather beautiful and entertaining.

            As we traveled along, we were delighted to discover that there are a number of things to enjoy along I-80. The first thing we discovered that I wanted to share was the Archway at Kearney. This impossible to miss site literally spans the interstate and is intriguing from several miles away. The Archway is a log structure that houses a multimedia journey through the Great Plains. We discovered things we didn’t know about the Great Plains and it was a nice distraction from the fact that we couldn’t stop and see historic Fort Kearney. I highly recommend this unique stop on I-80.

            Another interesting thing we discovered was Fort Cody Trading Post. This “fort” is a large wooden stockade guarded by mannequin cavalry officers, one who is hanging over the wall in a bad and hilarious situation. A giant Buffalo Bill Cody watches over the site, standing tall and slightly arrogant within site of I-80.  The trading post is located in North Platte and was too intriguing for us to pass up.

            There was no Fort Cody of course, but this stockade looks like something right out of the Wild West. There were cavalrymen watching over us as we entered the arrow-ridden fort through the modern glass doors, and since we weren’t sure what we were going to find inside the fort we were pleased to discover a plethora of things to look at, do, and buy. This trading post is exactly what it says it is and so much more. Inside there were thousands of souvenirs you can buy. They have rocks that have been tumbled, geodes, and rough gems. They also have “native American” souvenirs like drums and more. They have fortuneteller machines like the one in Big and they have actual artifacts from the real Wild West for you to see. In addition to all that, there is the World’s Largest Miniature Wild West Show.  This mechanical wonder is sure to aw you and your family.  Out back of the fort is a picnic space with a jail, cabin, and a large Indian chief.  This space is perfect for letting the little ones who have been cooped up in the car burn off some of their energy.  

            Along our drive I was pleased to discover that not only were there wonderfully entertaining stops, I-80 is also more scenic than people think.  Whoever said Nebraska was a flat expanse of cornfields was not paying attention.  For most of Interstate 80 the Platte River winds along next to the highway creating wonderful vistas and bird watching opportunities. As we traveled along there were thousands and thousands of birds resting on the gentle hills surrounding the Platte.

            Just before North Platte the Platte River splits into the North and South Platte and the North Platte heads off toward Scottsbluff, and the South winds its way to Colorado. Each river dug into the bedrock creating wonderful hills and vistas. Our journey along I-80 ended at Ogallala where we veered north along highway 26 to Scottsbluff.  I was not disappointed to turn northwest because Highway 26 passes by numerous historic sites for the Oregon Trail and because I knew I would get to experience the delights I’d found along I-80 after business was concluded and we headed east again. So next time you sigh because you have to drive across I-80 to get to your “real” vacation destination don’t overlook the treasures you can find along this highway.