Our Second Full Day in NE

Our second full day in Nebraska found us driving back from the western part of the state to the eastern part - getting a bunch of new counties along the way. In usual fashion, we did find some interesting stuff to see.

First up was Windlass Hill at Ash Hollow State Historical Park. This area is on both the Oregon and California Trails. But what is most interesting is that the travelers had to traverse down a very steep embankment, often slidding their wagons down a ravine, causing even more erosion.

After climbing up to the top of Windlass Hill, we could see out over the landscape and in several places you can still see the old wagon ruts.

The location even had an old sod house the pioneers used.

Our adventures then found us at the Petrified Wood (and gem) Gallery in Ogallala. This was a free museum that had an impressive amount of petrified wood, gems, and local native artifacts displayed in unusual ways

Of course, we found ourselves #lostneededdirections and found ourselves at Second Chapter Brewing. This brewery is located in an old library building and they have completely embraced the library them. Scott and I really enjoyed ourselves here.

We drove over a dam and saw an interesting reservoir; the smallest courthouse; a church made entirely of bales of hay; and drove through Nebraska's last dry county.

Next up was the Golden Spike Tower in North Platte, which is a huge train yard where trains are fixed, loaded, unloaded, and maneuvered around. It was mildly interesting to see (not worth the admission in my opinion). But it was interesting learning of the Orphan Trains, which were first used in the 1850s. Essentially, children who parents did not want or could not afford were placed on a train and shipped off to stop after stop until the child found parents they would work for and who wanted them. Absolutely horrifying that this happened. It was the prelude to today's foster care system. Not sure if it was worse then or now....