nat’l-park

Scotts Bluff, Western Nebraska

Published April 5, 2014

A short hour east of Wyoming, we continued our Oregon Trail journey thru Nebraska.

Another obligatory photo at the state sign change, then 30 minutes to Scotts Bluff – arriving well before 5pm when park rangers close key roads & the Visitors Center.

Quick stop at the Oregon Trail Museum (a bit dated, built in 1949), then UP to Scotts Bluff. Whereas the drive across Nebraska had been desolate, monotonous & void of people, Scotts Bluff was a geological surprise. Towering clay cliffs, SPECTACULAR views, massive gorges slicing thru the rolling landscape below – WOW, WOW, WOW!

Ash & Tom nabbed their first Nebraska geocache before hitting rural roads south, ultimately merging with I-80 West to Cheyenne.

Dinner? Heck yeah. Stopped at T-Joes Steakhouse & Saloon where Ash, Tom & my friend Matt threw back a shot of whiskey & ordered a plate of red meat. when in Wyoming, right? 🙂 Started with “cowboy caviar” — Rocky Mountain oysters. Yep, an all-cowboy meal — even my fish was breaded & deep fried to death. LOL>

Forgot how much fun road tripping can be. LOVED LOVED this day – looking forward to summer!

: livin’ the good life — in Nebraska

: unexpected beauty in western Nebraska

: Saddle Rock

: Dome Rock

: The Gorge, Scotts Bluff

: soaking it all in

: the Old Oregon Trail

: Eagle Rock

: Go West!

: Rocky Mountain oysters (cowboy caviar)

Ft Laramie & Oregon Trail Ruts

Published April 5, 2014

Woke early, dropped the dogs at Windstar Kennel & drove I-25 North for an ‘Oregon Trail revisited’ road trip.

First stop, the Wyoming state border where Ash & Tom recorded their first Wyoming geocache.

Quick junk food fix in Cheyenne, then back on I-25 to Oregon Trail Ruts near Guernsey. AMAZING these wagon wheel ruts left behind from frontier pioneers still exist. Tucked away in rural Wyoming, most folks would never know. Lotta sunshine, beautiful rock landscape. Highly recommended!

Next stop – our initial trip destination – Fort Laramie. This frontier fort built just an hour west of Nebraska originated to protect travelers from Native American attacks on the prairie. After the Visitors Center, explored the fort – visiting the barracks, officers quarters, arsenal & hospital ruins. LOVED it!

Viewed the general store, a near replica of the store used in our Oregon Trail PC game – a family fave for me & Ashton (and today’s road trip inspiration). Problem? Yeah, completely ran outta time. If you love history (which I do), you’ll be back.

Still one more stop on today’s Oregon Trail itinerary – Scotts Bluff in Western Nebraska.

: Ash & Tom’s 1st Wyoming geocache

: the Oregon Trail

: land of many, many, many trains

: built to protect settlers from American Natives

: Fort Laramie Barracks

: village life inside the Fort

: Hospital ruins – $1/day stay

: window to the West

: contemplating life, liberty & the Oregon Trail

: check out that sky, those clouds – WOW!

: Unknown Soldier – Indian Wars

: Wyoming’s Bucking Horse & Rider

Posted in Rocky Mtn West | Tagged nat'l-park, trains | Leave a comment

Remember the Alamo!

Published February 15, 2014

3^rd straight marathon month lined up – Welcome to Austin!

Arrived just before midnite, caught some quick shuteye, then off to the Palmer Events Center for bib pickup & the Runner’s Expo. Fast sweep of the room, back in my rental & south on I-35 – destination: San Antonio. And more specifically…the Alamo.

Sunshiny warm day with temps in the mid-70’s. Beeeeutiful day!

More than one person warned that I’d be bored at the Alamo – only good if you like history. Lucky for me – I LOVE history! 🙂

Started off by watching a 20-minute movie produced by the History Channel. The Texas Revolution was very similar to our own country’s beginnings & struggle against England. Texas was a northern province of Mexico – primarily settled by Americans & Europeans – fighting for autonomy. Yea I was hooked. LOL>

And while the Alamo was the final resting place for Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis & 200 others, it was also the birthplace/the catalyst for the Republic of Texas. Nope not bored, no way. I soaked this all in.

Ready for a Texas style dinner? Well that’d be BBQ – so in Austin, you head to the Iron Works. Frequently by governors, senators & George W himself, just couldn’t go wrong. Marathon in the morning – time for sleep? Heck no, night’s still early.

In Texas they love their Longhorns, so caught a basketball game at UT’s Frank Erwin Center. #19 Texas crushed the visiting West Virginia Mountaineers 88-71, and improved to 20-5 on the season. Hook ‘em Horns!

BBQ, basketball & the Alamo. Yep, now I’m Texas-ready for tomorrow’s 26.2 miles.