Fred’s Flying Circus
Scott, Lookout! Tower…is missing its platform. This fire lookout tower burned recently. 🏷️25.08A
On trail(s). 🏷️25.08A
Have you really truly been to Nebraska if you haven’t toured a sod house? This one was at the Sand Hills Journey Scenic Byway Visitor Center near Broken Bow. They also had a barbed wire collection, which must be mandated by state law for Nebraska museums. 🏷️25.08A
My Nebraska County map is looking pretty good after day 2! I surpassed the 50% completion mark, which was my primary questing goal for the trip. We’ll grab a few more tomorrow on our way to the Grand Island airport to fly home. 🏷️25.08A
North Platte is very proud of its connection to Buffalo Bill, so we stopped by his Scouts Rest Ranch, which is now a state historical park. 🏷️25.08A
Jen and I realized tonight that we’ve been to all 50 states together on trips, a fact that hadn’t occurred to us before. That’s not too shabby for ten years of travel, especially given our overseas adventures. Apparently we’ve been to 37.5% of all US Counties together during trips as well.
Oregon Trail marker in front of a cornfield. Approaching peak Nebraska. 🏷️25.08A
We stopped in Arthur today to see its 3 claims to fame: what was the smallest county courthouse in America (while operational), the only straw-bale church in the country, and…uhh…one of the last remaining metal playgrounds that were seemingly banned everywhere else in the country. 🏷️25.08A
We caught the last bit of sunset over the Platte River tonight. 🏷️25.08A
It’s not the Fourd Seasons, but we did manage to snake a free stay at the Crown Plaza tonight. 🏷️25.08A
We did the Golden Spike Tower tour at Bailey Yard—the world’s largest rail yard—in North Platte. I’m not a train guy, but I think I’ve been to most all of the major train spots in the country by now. 🏷️25.08A
Plotting today’s general route during breakfast. 🏷️25.08A
Is this the Nebraskan Cowboy equivalent of a sock over the dorm room doorknob? We didn’t go any further to investigate… 🏷️25.08A
Really enjoyed our stop at Second Chapter Brewing in Ogallala. The brewery took over the old city library location and really nailed the theme. What a fun spot! 🏷️25.08A
Perhaps my favorite thing about the Nebraska landscape is the sunflowers—both farmed and wild. So of course we poked around a sunflower field for a few minutes last night. 🏷️25.08A
Made some good progress on ye ol’ county map today (dark green counties). Only need 6 more to hit the 50% mark (my interim goal for each of the 50 states), which I should easily do tomorrow. 🏷️25.08A
The Knight Museum & Sandhills Center in Alliance, Nebraska is among the very best small town museums I’ve visited.
Well worth the price of admission (it’s free! and one of only two city-operated museums in the state). High quality displays and a comprehensive portrayal of the region. 🏷️25.08A
Today’s highlight was probably finally making it to Carhenge—perhaps the last “premier” roadside attraction on my list. Lots of photos to go through; it’s going to take a bit 😂
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Ending the day at a local craft brewery near tonight’s hotel in Alliance. Not sure how many photos we’ll get posted tonight—it’s been a long day of exploring the Sandhill region of the state. 🏷️25.08A
