Wind Cave NP

First stop in the Black Hills. Actually, we had to because the bison blocked the road and surrounded the truck to lick the salt from the panels.

And yes, we sang the State Farm jingle, but nothing happened because we have Farm Bureau I suppose.

Prairie dogs and antelope not nearly as friendly.

We were the only two on the tour into the cave, so we got to ask lots of questions and do an extended trip, another great reason to Carschool in the Fall. Lakota people fought for the Black Hills because they believed that the Great Spirit lived in the ground with them, but the Coyote trickster made them come to the surface and assume human form and they couldn't return.
But the Great Spirit gave them the buffaloes so they could live above the ground. Haven't read what the Cheyenne felt about that since the Sioux took the Hills from them.
But the box work and popcorn formations are beautiful.

One candle power

Dale's

Favorite breakfast place from last year in Hot Springs, SD still serving it up. Strawberry rhubarb, baby.

First snow

Probably fell several weeks ago and crusty, but inspired Marina to begin her state-by-state snow collection in our spare water bottles. I predict collection will become easier and colder by later this week.

In a rut

After checking out the Capitol in Cheyenne we headed north to the Platte River crossing where so many prairie schooner wheels climbed the sandstone bluff it was cut down several feet and the ruts are still evident 160 years later.

Just east along the river at Register Cliff you can still read the names and dates of the many travelers who left their mark for family and history to view.

Ft Laramie was the reason so many passed through the area. Only 1/3 the way to Oregon, it was one last night in civilization, with supplies and repairs readily available. But if you opted to stay too long in the beautiful, relatively safe valley, you risked the fate of the Donners.
Laramie began as a peaceful trading and treaty outpost and served in that capacity until gold was discovered in the Black Hills and Montana, sparking rushes and conflict with the tribes to whom the USA had promised the land.

Pattern forming?

Why not. It has all the food groups. .. fruit group, sugar group, crust group, bacon group. Could be the breakfast of Champions depending on what you are competing in.

Note the healthy omlette the rookie chose.

Gateway to the West

Scotts Bluff NM in western NE. Epic scenery, but doubt the 200000+ nineteenth century travelers were as appreciative of the view as the symbology.

Chimney Rock

Only took us 20 minutes to reach this significant trail landmark after we saw it on the horizon, not the four days it took in a prairie schooner.

Probably where the phrase "Dad, are we there yet?" began. By the way, if you are looking for another fantastic non interstate highway to travel, highly recommend US29 from Ogallala to WY!

Jumping off

Ft Kearney on the North Platte River was the converging point for the western trails, the last reliable place for mail, supplies, repairs, or Cavalry protection. The Great Platte River Road Archway spans IH80 and lots of history. The interactive displays are perfect for young history students headed west following the pioneers.

Even covers the history of the Lincoln Highway where travelers explored the west in autos,kinda like us

And does this guy look like Uncle TJ in Billy's caddy?

rural Nebraska

Thousands of miles of gravel roads in southern Nebraska provide the perfect training ground for drivers ed. Smooth, well packed and wide,I have gone 65 on them and Marina practiced up to 40 as well as mastering smooth acceleration and braking plus turns. Not ready to drive home to Texas, but could handle herself if the need arose.

bad influence?

It's mostly a Midwest thing but sour cream and raisin pie is rich and tangy and should be enjoyed whenever possible, even at breakfast!

For the record, marina wasn't tempted, she had coconut cream.

Capitol ideas

Marina wants to photograph as many state Capitols as possible on the way, so we caught Topeka and Lincoln this afternoon. In between returned to the Whistle Stop Cafe in Mayetta for awesome grub. Ate there in September on the way to Canada for breakfast. This time had the pan fried chicken lunch special. As you can see, lunch arrived before the blackberry pie appetizer was finished! Mmmhmmmm

Also introduced Marina to geocaching to get her more navigation experience and she found several as we ventured west.
Three days=1302.9 miles

segregation

Next stop was Monroe Elementary in Topeka for the Brown vs. Board of Education NHS. Coolest part may have been that it felt just like any number of elementary schools in America. Extensive collection of civil rights history prompted lengthy conversation on "fairness," opportunity and equality. Let me just say that I am maintaining my optimism for this next generation and their influence on our country.

The Big Red One

Stopped at Ft Riley, KS for the Cavalry Museum and like other military monuments and memorials, it's just fantastic. Excellent displays with just enough history to tie events together, plus plenty of cool gun stuff. And Corps of Engineer architecture.

Not your grandfather's Kansas

Close your eyes and imagine Kansas. What do you conjure other than corn, Jayhawks ,and Oz?
Even Marina is shocked by the variety and beauty. Oh, and the jerky and sausage we found in Kiowa. The scenery along the Medicine Bow River is outstanding, the world's largest hand dug well survived an E5 tornado in Greensburg, and I still contend that Ft Larned is the best representation of frontier life preserved in the States.

home? Nope, Oklahoma

Bigger'n the one in Texas anyway.