“101 things to do in Wyobraska” |
| Posted: 06 Sep 2010 08:23 PM PDT For years we've heard the lament that there's nothing to do in Nebraska. At the Star-Herald, we don't believe that. Western Nebraska is the best place in the state to enjoy outdoor and visitor activities, and we want to promote the scenic, historic and neighborly venues that make this a special place to visit and to live. When we set out to put together "101 Things to do in Wyobraska" we knew it wouldn't take long to come up with a list. But this time we wanted to do more than catalog interesting tourism stops or offer a calendar of events. We decided to focus some of our attention on hidden gems and special must-do activities — not "Visit Potter" but (No. 24) "Eat a Tin Roof Sundae in Potter." And although you'll find plenty of festivals and tourist stops on this list, we also wanted to highlight some out-of-the-way places, including many that are virtually free except for the gas it takes to get there. They're the sort of places that it takes time and some exploring to learn about. Fortunately, our news reporting staff — Katie Bradshaw, Chabella Guzman, Sandra Hansen, Maunette Loeks, Rick Willis, Roger Holsinger and Steve Frederick — spends lots of work and leisure time exploring the Panhandle and eastern Wyoming. In the course of putting the list together we asked others for suggestions, we combed our photo files and we spent lots of time traveling around.Obviously, there are more than 101 things to do around here, so please don't get mad if one of your favorites isn't included. The list couldn't, and doesn't, include everything, and we plan to make it an annual project. If you'd like to suggest a scenic site, unusual restaurant, special event or colorful business for future editions, please do. Write up a description of about 150 words, including how to get there, and send it to news@starherald.com or mail it to P.O. Box 1709, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. We'd love to hear your comments and suggestions. And we hope you enjoy your first edition of "101 Things to do in Wyobraska." 1. Photograph the wonders of Toadstool Park Though a bit remote, Toadstool Geologic Park, located about 18 miles northwest of Crawford, is a wonder for the eyes and worth the drive. The park, located in the Badlands, has towering rock formations said to favor the toadstool in appearance. Fossil deposits are contained in the sediments of the landscape. An interactive map with specified points will occupy the most curious seekers, with fossilized footprints of rhinos, giant pigs and other birds along the finds to be "discovered." To reach Toadstool Park, travel five miles north of Crawford on Highway 71, then 13 miles west and northwest on a scenic, but well-marked, road to the park. 2. Take a hike in Soldier Creek Wilderness The Soldier Creek Wilderness is a 7,900-plus acre parcel that was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1986. Part of the Fort Robinson Military Reservation, the area was named for the military personnel who were stationed at nearby Fort Robinson from the Indian Wars to 1949. With an abundance of game and a looping trail system of 17 miles, Soldier Creek is the perfect place to get back to, well, the wilderness. Take binoculars, camera and your walking stick, as no motorized vehicles or mountain bikes are allowed. Horses are allowed. Facilities at the trailhead and campground include a graveled parking area, hand water pump, modern accessible vault toilets, fire grates, and picnic tables. An $8 fee is charged for camping at the Trailhead from mid-May to mid-November, no charge for day use. How to Get There: The campground and trailhead are 2½ miles west of Crawford on U.S. Highway 20 to Fort Robinson, then north on Soldier Creek Road for six miles. 3. View the North Platte Valley from atop Scotts Bluff National Monument Get a panoramic view of the North Platte River Valley from atop 800-foot-tall Scotts Bluff National Monument, located in Gering on the north side of Highway 92. Drive Summit Road to the top of the bluff (open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Memorial Day through third week in August, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the off-season), ride the biodiesel-powered shuttle, or hike the 1.6-mile Saddle Rock Trail (open sunrise to sunset). Keep an eye out for wildflowers and the resident herd of mule deer. Fees: 7-day entry for individual hiker/bicyclist/motorcyclist $3 or vehicle $5; one-year entry tri-park pass $15 or National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass $80. Information: 308-436-9700. 4. Picnic at Oliver Lake State Recreation Area Just 11 minutes west of Kimball on Highway 30, Oliver Lake State Recreation Area offers 917 acres of land and 270 acres of water. With 175 campsites, visitors can enjoy evenings sitting before the campfire and enjoying some summer fun. Two boat ramps and eight docks add some special features for fishers and boaters. The lake supports both coldwater and warmwater species, including walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and rainbow trout. As the only water-based recreation area in the southwest Panhandle, the south side of the lake is maintained in a primitive state for hiking, hunting, and fishing. 5. Cuddle with your sweetie at the Alliance Drive-In There was a time when drive-in theaters were more popular than indoor theaters. You could load up the family and spend the evening gazing at the stars on the screen and in the sky. There were also a few that tried to sneak a few extra people into the drive-in in the trunk of the car. Unfortunately, the drive-in theater is almost extinct. But not all of them are gone. The Sandhills Drive-In of Alliance offers guests an evening of nostalgic and cinema delight, located three miles southeast of town, off County Road 57, next to the Alliance Municipal Golf Course. Adults and children alike will enjoy the big screen under the stars during the summer while the drive-in is open. For more information, call 308-762-2913. 6. Drive the backroads of the White River Canyon The White River valley offers some of the most picturesque scenery in all of northwest Nebraska. To find it, drive north on Highway 29 from Mitchell until you reach Harrison, then turn east on Highway 20 for eight miles. Turn south on Andrews Road till you reach the valley bottom, then continue east following the river. At the intersection near the river you'll encounter the site of Andrews, which grew up around the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad depot built in 1885. Along the way you'll see what's left of the railroad, later named the Chicago Northwestern. Farther along you'll find Glen, sometimes called a ghost town but still home to a few residents. It once had two stores, two dance halls and two sawmills. Turn north at the old Glendale Cemetery and you'll return to Highway 20 near Fort Robinson. 7. Listen to the drums at the Intertribal Gathering at Fort Robinson The Annual Intertribal Gathering is usually held in the first part of summer at Fort Robinson State Park. The three-day powwow is a cultural event that features dancing, storytelling, food vendors and more than 100 dancers. Many of the dances have been passed down through generations and the dancers have learned them as children. Panhandle RC&D helps pay for the event along with the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Humanities Council and the Chadron Native American Center. The days are a great multi-cultural event for everyone; there are usually three to four generations that gather to take place in the dancing, singing, drumming and storytelling. For more information, contact Panhandle RC&D at 308-632-1311. 8. Mark the summer solstice at Carhenge Carhenge was founded upon the lands of a father and a promise to honor him. Built in 1987, Carhenge gives homage to Stonehenge, the famous monument in the English county of Wiltshire built sometime near 3,100 B.C. Using 38 automobiles in place of the large stones, the replication is uncanny. A 1962 Cadillac is used as the heel stone. Carhenge was built in memorial to Jim Reinders' father and was slated to be torn down soon after it was built. A citizens' group "Friends of Carhenge" saved it. The site covers 10 acres and has accepted other art as well, like "Ford Seasons" a play on "The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi. Located in Alliance, the tourist attraction is visited by up to 80,000 people from all over the world each season. It's located at 2149 County Road 59, northeast of Alliance. 9. See the splendor of the Sandhills at the Crescent Lake National Wildlife RefugeA trip to the Crescent Lake refuge is a trip back in time. There are several ways to get there, but one of the best is to travel north out of Oshkosh. As you leave the city, you'll quickly leave all traces of civilization behind and encounter ancient buffalo country the way it's been for centuries. The refuge itself consists of more than 45,000 acres of rolling sandhills, the largest continuous sand dune area in America, created from the wind blown sands of an ancient sea. Island Lake is the most popular fishing spot, although several more are being developed. It's one of 21 lakes and numerous ponds supported by the underlying aquifer. If you don't fish, watch for numerous turtles and birds, including bald eagles, near the ponds and meadows. You might spot antelope, deer, prairie dogs and maybe a bobcat, beaver or raccoon. 10. Enjoy a movie and popcorn at the classic Nile Theater At the Nile Theater in Mitchell, moviegoers often get the best seat in the house. For some visitors, the best seat means sitting in the balcony, where you might see some canoodling, but most of all, you'll enjoy the movie. The nostalgia of the experience, as well as the antiques displayed at the quaint theater, offer a classic experience that you don't get at today's multi-plexes. At 1432 Center Avenue in Mitchell, the Nile Theater offers movies on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday at 4 p.m. 11. Experience what immigrants felt as they walked in the Oregon Trail Ruts Walk in the tracks left by immigrants heading for a better life in the West at the Oregon Trail Ruts two miles south of Guernsey, Wyo. Carved into the hard rock hills by passing wagons, the deep gashes in the sandstone are visual reminders of the difficult road pioneers traveled during their four to six month trip across the western half of the North American continent in the 1800s. The pioneers took the route over the top of the hills because the lowlands around the base were often boggy because of the North Platte River. Some ruts are visible along the county road between Fort Laramie National Historic Site and the Guernsey location, notably at the Old Bedlam Ruts west of the fort. 12. Upgrade your outdoor gear at the original Cabela's Just north of I-80 in Sidney, Neb., a water tower with Cabela's scripted on its side rises above the horizon. Below the tower is Cabela's flagship store — just 30 minutes from where the company started — Chappell, Neb. For many hunters and sportsmen and sportswomen, visiting the store is almost a rite of passage. The 85,000-square-foot showroom houses trophy animals, huge aquariums and, of course, hunting and fishing equipment. Browse the store and check out the Bargain Cave, where overstocked and returned items can be had for special prices. At several times during the year, the store holds special events, especially in the fall when the company gears up for the hunting season. To get there, go to Sidney and just look for the water tower. 13. Buy a painting at the West Nebraska Arts CenterThe West Nebraska Arts Center, 106 E. 18th St., began as one of 68 Carnegie Libraries in Nebraska funded by famed industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Built to be Scottsbluff's first public library in 1921-22, it was expanded with funding from the Works Progress Administration in 1936, and it served book borrowers until 1966, when it became the focal point of the area's visual arts community. Today the center hosts monthly exhibits in a spacious, modern gallery, with public receptions, usually free, for exhibiting artists. Many of the works are for sale, with proceeds helping to fund the center's other activities, which include children's theater and educational opportunities. The West Nebraska Arts Center is operated by a non-profit organization supported by national and state arts organizations, a board of directors, a professional staff, dedicated volunteers, and a membership of generous businesses and individuals. 14. Relive history at the Robidoux Pass National Historic Landmark Take a scenic loop drive along the old Oregon Trail at Robidoux Pass, which was used from 1843-1851. Go 1 mile south from M Street/Highway 92 in Gering on Five Rocks Road, turn west onto gravel Robidoux Pass Road (open range: watch for cattle). Look for signs for pioneer graves on the north side of the road. A bit further west, an old wagon lies decaying behind a fence. Follow the road as it takes a sharp loop south and turns into Rifle Sight Pass Road. At the T-intersection with Carter Canyon Road, turn east and take a scenic drive through the pine-covered hills to a reproduction of the 1850s Robidoux Trading Post, on the south side of the road. The trading post is not staffed; explore it on your own. Follow the road east to get back to pavement and the intersection with Highway 71. 15. Go garage-saling all day during the annual Treasure Trek Bargain-hunters can search, and even maybe haggle, to their hearts delight during the annual Treasure Trek, held each June. The trek brings together shoppers and those who want to sell their wares at yard sales, garage sales and antique and collectible shops in the communities of Alliance, Chadron, Chappell, Hyannis and Potter. Other area communities are expected to join the fold, as the trek is already being planned for 2011 to be on June 11 and June 12. 16. Buy a book for a friend or take a hike at Chimney Rock near Bayard While Chimney Rock might best be known as the halfway point on the Oregon Trail, there is much more to it. For history buffs interested in learning more about the pioneers who traveled the trail or those interested in learning about the history of the natural structure, the gift shop has a very detailed book section. For those wanting to take a hike and walk with the pioneers, wander toward the south side of the monument where at the base is a second monument. Chimney Rock is located south of Bayard along Highway 92. 17. Walk in the footsteps of the pioneers at Courthouse and Jail RocksWant to explore a pair of famous landmarks along the Oregon Trail? Then head two miles south of Bridgeport on Highway 88 near the Bridgeport Golf Course. Courthouse and Jail Rocks served an important role during the westward migration. Adjacent to the Oregon-California Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express Trail and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail, the pair of rocks was some of the first seen by those travelers as they moved into the more mountainous areas of the trek. Further down the trail those same travelers would encounter Chimney Rock and the rugged areas around Scotts Bluff. The rocks rise some 400 feet above the North Platte Valley and were often described in early diaries as castles or resembling a solitary tower. 18. Enjoy western Nebraska's beauty on our Scenic Byways This one could take you awhile. Of the state's nine Scenic Byways, five of them touch the Panhandle. You've probably driven on some of them. You ought to try them all. The Bridges to Buttes Byway is U.S. 20 from the Wyoming border to Valentine. The Gold Rush follows U.S. 385. The Sandhills Journey follows Highway 2 east of Alliance. Western Trails follows U.S. 26 and Highway 92 from the Wyoming border to Ogallala. The Lincoln Highway Byway follows Highway 30 across the state. All of them include western Nebraska's scenic splendor, as well as local history on gold rushes, cattle drives, pioneer life and modern-day recreational activities. For details and route maps, see the Nebraska Tourism Division's website, www.visitnebraska.gov. 19. Olde Main Street Inn in Chadron Built by the O'Hanlon family in 1890, the elegant Chadron House was adorned with Brussels and marble washstands in each room and has been run by three generations of innkeepers for more than 100 years. Today the structure serves as a Bed and Breakfast. When the O'Hanlon family undertook to build the elegant Chadron House in the late 1800s, they spared no expense. A portion of the gold and green wallpaper covered with gazebos, sailing ships and flora remains today and each of the rooms has marble washstands in them. To make reservations, call 308-432-3380. Rates include a breakfast served at the guest's convenience. 20. Stick a fork into a steak at the Rock Ranch restaurant in Pine Bluffs, Wyo. Across the Wyoming-Nebraska state line is Rock Ranch Grill, located at 711 Parsons Street in Pine Bluffs. It's one of the best places to eat, according to locals. The grill has a Western décor and is a great place for families and friends to enjoy an evening meal. The grill is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. It features a variety of theme nights. Tuesday is Mexican night with fajitas and margaritas; Wednesday is hamburger night where all their burgers are half off and for the non-themed eater there is always a range of family favorites from chicken fried steak to salads. For more information, call 307-245-3111. 21. Learn about the Old West at Boot Hill cemetery and Camp Lookout in Sidney The history that lies beneath Boot Hill Cemetery, constructed in 1868, tells the Sidney community's long stories of its Wild West. The cemetery served as the final resting place for soldiers dying in gun battles at Fort Sidney as it served as a major outpost for the U.S. Army. As the town grew, becoming known by monikers such as "The Toughest Town on the Tracks." After gold was discovered in the Black Hills, Sidney became a stopover. Some tough characters, including gold-robbing criminals and others, are said to be buried in the Sidney cemetery. Generally they were buried with their boots on, hence the name Boot Hill. The cemetery was abandoned in 1898. The nearby Camp Lookout, the oldest building in Sidney and perhaps the entire Panhandle, also takes visitors back to the history of Sidney's past, having housed soldiers and railroad workers. 22. Get face to face with wildlife at Fort Robinson near Crawford One of the most scenic areas of the state is located about a mile west of Crawford on Highway 20. Fort Robinson not only offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the role the fort played throughout history but also offers visitors to get up close and personal with the wildlife in that area. Whether its on horseback on a trail ride or from a jeep, the park offers many opportunities to view wildlife. In addition, the park also offers a one-of-a-kind viewing at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, which includes the fossils of two large bull mammoths whose tusks locked together during an Ice Age battle. Fort Robinson is has regular hours Memorial Day through Labor Day and limited hours through the rest of the year. Call 308-665-2900 for more information. 23. Honor agriculture at Farmers Day in Kimball Though Kimball had its origins in the railroad — named after railroad official Thomas L. Kimball — its roots have always been in agriculture. The community's dedication to its agricultural roots can be seen every fall in the community celebration of Farmers Day. The celebration began 84 years ago, bringing together farmers, their families and the community at the end of harvest. Over the years, it has grown into a community celebration held each September. A parade, in which local farmers and homesteaders are recognized, a hamburger feed and more make this an annual celebration that is easy to enjoy. 24. Eat a Tin Roof Sundae in Potter Every small town in this region has a story to tell if you take the time to look. The small town of Potter is no different and while the town of just about 400 people is known for a few things, the Tin Roof Sundae at the Potter Sundry has made Potter a must-see for many travelers. The Tin Roof consists of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, chocolate ice cream, marshmallow cream and nuts on top. The treat comes in three sizes; mini, medium and large. If you think you can eat a large, you better not have eaten all day. The sundry in located in downtown Potter at 324 Chestnut Street. Call 308-879-4548 to get the full scoop. 25. See hundreds of humps at the old Sioux Army Depot near Sidney As you drive south on Highway 385 between Gurley and Sidney, if you look to the west you will probably see a number of "humps" in the distance. The Sioux Army Depot was constructed in 1942 for storage and the handling of tons of military equipment and ammunition. Those concrete mounds, also known as storage igloos, were used during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Many of the 800 igloos still exist, but are now used by private individuals as home and grain storage units. The depot covered 36 square miles and was operational for 25 years. Several of the buildings still exist and much of the area serves as an industrial site, but the property is accessible. While heading south on Highway 385, turn west on Road 32 for about two miles and then north on Road 109 for about a mile. The igloos will be on both sides of the road. Some areas are open to the public; other areas have private drives. 26. Quack at a duck in the Kiowa Wetlands near Mitchell Kiowa Wildlife Management Area, located on the south side of the North Platte River south of Morrill, consists of 506 acres of wildlife habitat. When water is plentiful, WMA is filled with waterfowl and other marshland critters. The refuge area is easily identified as it is separated from the upland area by an irrigation canal. Kiowa wetland area is created by seepage from the Gering Fort Laramie Irrigation Canal and has been a very important salt and fresh water marsh providing nesting opportunity as well as resting and feeding area for both spring and fall migrating ducks, geese and shore birds. The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission manages the area providing hunting opportunity for dove, pheasant, rabbit and waterfowl. Kiowa, the namesake of the tribe of Native Americans who lived and hunted the land, is the first wildlife project undertaken by Platte River Basin Environments. To get there, go south of Morrill on South Morrill Road. 27. Have a hamburger and fries at the Round Robin Bar and Grill in Dalton While many places offer meals along US Highway 385, one of the best hamburger, fries and interesting conversation can be found at the Round Robin Bar and Grill in downtown Dalton. Owner John Whittle has operated the business since 1975. In addition to the large portions, customers will also hear stories, rumors, and opinions about news events in the community, state and nation. If the old pickup is parked out front, then the bar and grill is open. Most days the business is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and closed on Sundays. 28. Reel in a pike at Box Butte Reservoir You can camp and swim at Box Butte Reservoir, located about 10 miles north of Hemingford. You can water ski and paddle a kayak or canoe. You can spot hundreds of species of birds. You can catch walleye, largemouth bass, yellow perch, rock bass, bluegills and channel catfish. If you farm in the area, you might even irrigate your fields from it. But Box Butte is famed for its abundant northern pike — so abundant, in fact, that the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has given it the most generous pike limit in the state. You can keep up to 10 fish per day (up to 20 in possession) but there is a 28-to 34-inch protected slot length limit. Those fish have to be returned, as part of an effort to keep the big ones coming. Water and a fish cleaning station are available, as well as picnic tables and toilets. Nebraska's State Veteran Cemetery in Alliance is located on 20 acres three miles east of town near the Alliance airport. It is landscaped with grasses, bushes and trees that are native to the area and reflect the prairie of western Nebraska. The area houses an administration building and memorial guardsmen will be available to scatter ashes in the memorial garden. A committal shelter that resembles a church sanctuary is available for graveside services. The crypts are underground and veteran's spouses will also have space in the crypt so they can be together. The area's open space and rustic beauty is a peaceful and serene resting place for our veterans. For more information, 308-762-1520 or www.alliancechamber.com. 29. Pay your respects at the Nebraska State Veterans Cemetery in Alliance 30. Take a gander at the gallery at the Carnegie Arts Center in Alliance The Carnegie Arts Center was originally built to house the Carnegie Library in 1911. In 1980 it was condemned, but in 1993 it was renovated by a group of artists and reopened as the arts center. The center has three separate galleries, Skala Gallery, Garwood Gallery and Studio Gallery. They also host workshops and events at the gallery and have a Sculpture Garden. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 308-762-4571 or visit the website at www.carnegieartscenter.com. 31. Paddle in a pond at Chadron State Park The western end of the state is often described as one of its most majestic areas, and that is proven true with a trip to Chadron State Park. The beauty of the Pine Ridge forms the backdrop for this great getaway that offers visitors the opportunity to hike, bicycle, camp, fish, and explore. If your legs are up to it, rent one of the paddleboats and take a cruise around the pond located near the entrance of the park. The park is located nine miles south of Chadron on Highway 385 and covers 972 acres in the heart of the Nebraska National Forest. For those not wanting to "rough" it, the park offers 22-two bedroom, housekeeping cabins from mid April to mid November. But call early for reservations as the cabins fill quickly. For those traveling in campers, the park offers 70 pads all with 30 amp electrical hookups. For more information, call 308-432-6167. 32. Learn about the Pony Express at Mud Springs near Dalton One of the most scenic stops on the Pony Express in this region is the Mud Springs Station located northwest of Dalton along Highway 385. The station is located approximately three miles west of Highway 385; just follow the signs. The natural spring provided thirsty horses and riders a place to grab some food and a fresh horse. As you walk around the grounds of the station, keep an eye out for arrowheads, as a number of conflicts between Native Americans and personnel at the station occurred regularly. When the site was operational and fully the staffed, a number of sod buildings were located in the area, however, today, all that remains is a marker, and the calls of the meadowlark and bullfrog. 33. Stand atop Nebraska's highest hill at Panorama Point You won't need special climbing tools to reach Nebraska's highest point, Panoroma Point. At 5,424 feet above sea level, this point located in the extreme southwest corner of Kimball County looks more like a rise in the pasture, but the view can be well worth the trek. On a clear day, the climb is touted for its views of the Rocky Mountains to the southwest. Of course, enjoying the peacefulness of the Nebraska prairie can be a transcendental experience. The highest point has been marked since 1971, and the Kimball-Banner County Chamber of Commerce even offers GPS coordinates for those high-tech travelers: N 41 degrees 00.461 minutes W 104 degrees 01.883 minutes. For those of us looking for specific directions, travel from Kimball on the Interstate 80 to Bushnell interchange. Exit and turn south onto Road 17 and travel south for 10 miles to Road 8. On Road 8, you will travel west 4.2 miles to road 9, where you will go south one mile to Road 6. On Road 6, you will go west for two miles to Road 5. On Road 5, you will travel south to a pasture trail, and Panorama Point is only a short jaunt away. Follow the trail west for about one mile and then northward to Panorama Point. 34. See bunches of bones at the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill Site near Crawford Ten thousand years ago, long before Crazy Horse, armed with stone tools, a band of Paleo Indians slaughtered 600 bison. Today, the area known as the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center, is 18 miles northwest of Crawford, near Toadstool Park. Visitors feel the spirit of the early hunters at the world's largest known Alberta Culture Bison Kill. An enclosure was built over a portion of the bone bed, and now visitors tour the facility, discovering the mysterious world of the early North American bison hunters. For information, go to www.hudson-men.org 35. Relax where the wagon trains rested at Ash Hollow At this point, the Oregon Trail came over the divide from the Platte River to the North Platte River, the next leg of the journey to Oregon or California. The steep incline of Windlass Hill ended in a natural rest area, Ash Hollow, with fresh water and a chance to rest yourself, your animals and to make repairs to the wagons. For the next 185 miles, follow the trail to the first civilized outpost in the pre-settlement era, Fort Laramie, now a national historic site about 65 miles west of Scottsbluff in Wyoming. A sod house, 100-year old stone school house, walking path, and seasonal visitor center are included. Information on Ash Hollow State Park, 308-778-5651. 36. Touch Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming at the Tri-State Marker You could theoretically have a different part of your body in three states at the Tri-State Marker in Kimball County. The Tri-State marker marks the spot where Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming meet. The original marker was erected in 1869, several hundred feet away from where Congress intended it to be. Today, the marker bears the state names with a different colored stone used for each state and is considered the official corner for the three states. The most traveled route touted is from Panorama Point, located in southwestern part of Kimball County. From Panorama Point, travel back onto Road 5 and go south to a jog in the road until you reach the state line and Colorado Road 111. On Road 111, travel south two miles to Road 136, and then three miles to Road 105. You'll reach a pasture trail. Once at the trail, go west across the cattle guard along the fence line until you reach the tri-state marker, and you've made your venture into three states. 37. Roar with the lions at the Riverside Discovery Center Riverside Zoo is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and while some things have recently changed at the facility, the Riverside Discovery Center offers visitors to see and even touch wildlife. Some of the main exhibits at the zoo include two African lions, named Zeus and Apollo, who came to the zoo in 2002. The two brothers are just one example of exotic animals that call the 23-acre Scottsbluff facility home. In January of 2009, two Amur tigers, named Nika and Lana, were added to the collection. In addition to the zoo, a natural history museum (Wildlife World) featuring mounted animals from around the world in planned to become part of the facility along with a Children's Museum. For more information and hours of operation, call 308-630-6236. 38. Sing a campfire song at the Oregon Trail Wagon Train Whether it's a canoe adventure on the North Platte River, a wagon ride in the ruts of the Oregon Trail, sharing a song around a campfire or a thick, mouth-watering steak, the Oregon Trail Wagon Train has a lot to offer visitors. The restaurant and campground is located in the shadow of Chimney Rock just off Highway 92; just follow the signs. While you wait for your ribeye steak dinner and sourdough bread, explore the campgrounds, take a walk down by the river or try your hand at a game of horseshoes. After dinner, gather around the campfire for a sing-along while enjoying a serving of homemade ice cream. To make a dinner reservation or for more information, call 308-586-1850. 39. Listen to a windmill whisper at the wind farm near KimballThree miles northwest of Kimball, the arms of wind turbines are kept wheeling in the wind, producing a maximum of 10.5 megawatts of power. The wind farm, constructed and operated by the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN), has been operating commercially since October 2002. Wind currents, even half a mile apart, can be quite different so the blades of the wind turbines can often be seen going at different speeds, adding to the view of the 230-foot towers above the prairie. While the wind turbines aren't a tourist attraction open to the public, the wind farm can easily be viewed among the sunflowers from Highway 71 or an adjacent county road. From Highway 71, turn west on Road 42 for about a mile or from Highway 30, west of Kimball, head north on Road 37 for about two miles. Take a look at the future of energy in the state at the Kimball wind farm, the first wind farm in Nebraska. 40. Enjoy wetlands and waterfowl at Stateline Island near Henry One of the best places to enjoy the North Platte River in its natural splendor — and one of the area's best-kept secrets — is Stateline Island near Henry. The area includes 130 acres of riparian river frontage, meadow and wetland. Towering cottonwoods and dense willow trees along the river are home to deer, turkeys, migrating waterfowl and bald eagles. It's part of the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, which also includes Winters Creek Lake, Lake Alice, and portions of Lake Minatare. The refuge was established in 1916, as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds. More than 200 bird species have been observed on the Refuge. The area is open year-round, during daylight hours only. Bring binoculars or a camera watch nesting birds from a distance. To get there from U.S. Highway 26 at Henry, travel south on Holloway Road for about a mile to the entrance parking area. 41. Climb the lighthouse steps at Lake Minatare The Lake Minatare Lighthouse is located on a peninsula on Lake Minatare 15 miles northeast of Scottsbluff. The lighthouse is located on the western shore of the lake on the grounds of the campsites. The 55-foot tower was built by the Veterans Conservation Corps in 1939, some say because the men had nothing else to do. Designed as a combination shelter house and observation tower, it was built to simulate a lighthouse. According to Scotts Bluff County Tourism, it is one of only seven inland lighthouses in the United States. The 55-foot stone structure is open to the public and you can climb the stairs to the top for a unique view of the lake and valley. To get there, take Highway 26 to Minatare, turn north on County Road 30 and follow the signs to Lake Minatare. 42. Dig the potatoes at the Farm And Ranch MuseumThe Farm and Ranch Museum in Gering helps visitors take a trip in the agriculture past. The Farm and Ranch Museum offers hands-on activities for the family, especially during its annual Harvest Festival, which this year will be celebrated Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, when harvesting your own potatoes is a favorite of activity for area youth. The museum features a look at High Plains agriculture of the past, featuring exhibits on producing sugar beets, dry beans, potatoes, ranching, irrigation, dryland farming and conservation tillage. During the summer, the museum is open Mon. through Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. The museum also hosts a number of other demonstrations of agricultural practices and events throughout the season. 43. Gobble at a wild turkey at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center The Wildcat Hills Nature Center, a two-story educational facility located at the entrance to the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, includes a two-story ponderosa pine replica and murals by local artist Mary Hunt. Inside the center are mounts of indigenous hawks, eagles and owls. In the lower level is a diorama of mammals, including the recently re-introduced bighorn sheep, Canada lynx, bobcat and smaller mammals. There is also an aquarium of local fish and a live beehive, as well as many interactive educational displays. An annual children's day camp is held there each summer. Fossil collections on loan from the University of Nebraska include Loren Eiseley's Innocent Assassins, sabertooth cats from 25 million years ago — one's fang remains, in death, imbedded in the scapula of the other. To get there, go 10 miles south of Gering on state Highway 71 and look for the entrance at the top of the hill. 44. Enjoy an old-fashioned parade during Oregon Trail Days Participate in a generations-old tradition and attend the Oregon Trail Days parade in Gering. Oregon Trail Days celebrates the pioneering spirit of the region's early settlers. There are plenty of activities during the week, but the parade has been a popular part of the celebration since the 1920s. To reserve a coveted seat in the shade along 10th Street, plan to arrive early. Regular parade-goers begin claiming spots at 7 a.m. for the 10 a.m. parade. When the parade is over, stay to check out the other Saturday festival events. Visit the Oregon Trail Days website for information, www.oregontraildays.com. 45. Re-energize and relax at the Barn Anew bed-and-breakfastBarn Anew is located on the Oregon Trail and is owned by adventurers Cher and Allan Maybee, both who have ridden the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails on horseback. The 1840s saw the the Oregon Trail, California Trail and the legendary Pony Express Trail snake through Mitchell Pass and past the site of the barn. Cher and Allan are writers and lecturers of trail history and adventure and are always willing to share their unique stories. Native American Artwork from intricate beadwork to pictures painted on canvas and buffalo hide is on display. A music parlor sports a working player piano and several old crank Victrolas. Rooms include the Rendevous Room, where guests play checkers, read books or relax with the beautiful view of the west side of Scotts Bluff National Monument and Mitchell Pass. For the adventuresome, there is a restored 100-year old Sheepwagon to bed down in. It's at 170549 County Road L, Mitchell; 308-632-8647. 46. Read the words of pioneers at the North Platte Valley Museum Take a peek at the lives of early area settlers through the "windows" of their original "soddy" and log homes located at the North Platte Valley Museum in Gering. Inside the museum, photographs, diaries and other artifacts and mementoes depict the progress of the local communities as they marched from buffalo chip fires to thermal heating systems found in today's homes. Rotating exhibits include the current Boy Scouts of America display, which concludes at the end of September. For the history "nuts," the Paul and Helen Henderson Oregon Trail Collection is located in the Western History Archives. Information, 308-436-5411, visit www.npvm.org. 47. Watch one of Hollywood's best films at the Historic Midwest Theater While many small towns have lost their once grand theaters, other communities have taken measures to preserve the history. One of those is the Historic Midwest Theater in Scottsbluff. On March 5, 1945, the Egyptian Theater (site of Midwest Theater) was destroyed by a fire. The fire gave the owner, William H. Ostenberg Jr., the opportunity to build a grand theater for Scottsbluff. The fire-gutted theater was replaced in just over a year with the New Midwest Theater. Charles D. Strong, a prominent Denver architect, was hired to draw the design plans for the new theater. The Midwest Theater was opened on May 3, 1946. During recent years the theater has gone through an extensive renovation and today offers visitors an opportunity to see a Hollywood film, a locally produced play; music concerts and even political debates. The theater is located in downtown Scottsbluff. 48. Troll for a monster at Walgren Lake near Hay Springs Local legend tells of a dinosaur-like monster dwelling in the depths of Walgren Lake that developed an appetite for Sandhills beef — on the hoof. According to one account: "Those who have been brave enough and strong enough to endure a glance at him say that his flashing green eyes spit fire, that with a head like a huge oil barrel, he looks like something one sees in a very bad dream, and that the least movement of his big pointed ears causes a tempest on the lake." The state Game and Parks information omits any useful information about how to catch it but mentions black bullheads, bluegills, largemouth bass, walleyes, white crappies and yellow perch. Walgren also contains some monster northern pike. Heavy vegetation usually limits fishing in late summer. To get there, go about three miles east of Hay Springs on U.S. 20 and turn south. Follow the signs. 49. Marvel at the talents of Native Americans at Agate Fossil Beds View the artifacts of an unusual relationship between Native Americans and early settlers at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. At a time when settler-Native American interactions were often antagonistic, Chief Red Cloud and the Oglala Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne presented gifts to rancher James Cook in friendship. The artifacts on display at the visitor center include Red Cloud's shirt, three generations of pipebags (one belonging to Red Cloud, his father and his son) and one of Crazy Horse's whetstones. Fees: 7-day entry for individual $3 or vehicle $5; one-year entry tri-park pass $15 or National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass $80. Visitor center and museum, located east of Highway 29 (22 miles south of Harrison or 34 miles north of Mitchell), is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the rest of the year. Information: 308-668-2211. 50. Cross the Lisco State-Aid Bridge When traveling down Highway 26, there are many things to see. But 65 miles east of Scottsbluff brings you to the town of Lisco, which was misnamed Cisco in the 2000 census. Just south of Lisco on County Road 151 is a one-lane bridge that spans the North Platte River. The bridge is a state aid bridge and was built in 1927 for $65,000. One of eight state aid bridges built in the 1920s, it is essentially in unaltered condition from when it was built. The architecture is riveted-pony long-span truss. The Lisco Bridge is one of two state aid bridges left in Nebraska. To get there, go 64.5 miles east of Scottsbluff on Highway 92. 51. Visit 123-year-old Montrose Church on the Sioux County back roads If you look at a detailed map of Nebraska's Sioux County, you'll see the town of Montrose marked. If you take the Toadstool Park turnoff of Highway 2/71 near the South Dakota border, turn west across the railroad tracks, and follow the zig-zagging gravel road south and west, you'll arrive at Montrose, or, rather, what used to be Montrose. All that remains of the community is a sign, an abandoned house and a well-maintained hilltop church and cemetery. The 1887 Montrose Church is still in use, as is the cemetery. Walk through the cemetery gate (make sure to close it again when you leave!), and investigate the gravestones of the German-speaking Catholics who settled the area. Just make sure to keep an eye (and ear) out: As the sign on the cemetery gate warns, there are rattlesnakes in the churchyard. 52. Battle a bluegill at Smith Lake The Sandhills country in Sheridan County is dotted with dozens of lakes and potholes fed by a large aquifer. Many of the lakes are on private property or are too alkaline for fish. A notable exception is Smith Lake. A state wildlife management area, the 225-acre lake is located about midway between Lakeside and Rushville on Highway 250. It has great fishing, picnic areas and some primitive campsites on the south side of the lake. Species include crappie, largemouth bass, yellow perch and northern pike. Like many Sandhills lakes it also sports a healthy population of large bluegills. The lake is surrounded by marsh and grasslands and also provides excellent bird-watching opportunities. No park permit is required to enter. 53. Play a round of golf in the middle of nowhere Par for the course is negotiable in Nebraska, as there are over 60 nine-hole golf courses, including several in western Nebraska, including Chimney Rock in Bayard and Court House And Jail Rock Golf Course in Bridgeport. The Legend Butte Golf Course in Crawford offers 3,178 yards of golf, par 36; Morrill has the Rolling Greens Golf Club; 9 holes over 3,049 yards with a par of 36; Kimball has Four Winds Golf Course; and Mitchell has Scenic Knolls which measures 3,261 from the medium tees. If you're running short on patience, head to the Prairie Vines Golf Course in Potter near Sidney. The volunteer-maintained local course is only a par 26, so a personal best is achievable. Of course, it only runs seven holes. 54. Photograph the foundations of Nebraska's potash boom near Antioch Located about 15 miles east of Alliance on Highway 2, Antioch today is a sleepy unincorporated community with only a handful of residents. But during World War II, it boomed as one of the most important potash-producing regions in the nation. Potash was an important component of fertilizer, and the war cut off the U.S. from European sources. With help from University of Nebraska chemists, a method for separating potash from the alkaline lakes of the Sandhills was developed, and production began in 1916. By 1918 five companies were in operation, evaporating lake water to collect the potash-rich residue. Nearly 3,000 people lived in the area at its peak. But the boom was short-lived. The last Antioch plant closed in 1921. Today, all that's left as a reminder of the potash heyday are numerous concrete foundations, looming like ruins along the highway. 55. See what life was like in the Old West at Dobby's Frontier Town Dobby's Frontier Town, 320 E. 25th St., Alliance, is an anchor in the city as a tourism and educational draw. Dobby's is the culmination of decades of collecting tools, pictures, bank records, store items and equipment that could be found in any western town, farm, or ranch from the late 1800s to the 1960s. Check out the charming replica townh for a taste of the past, from Robert Anderson's cabin (first black homesteader in Nebraska) to the reconstruction of the first Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alliance. For more information, 308-762-1520 or www.alliancechamber.com. 56. Enjoy a slab of prime rib at the Pink Palace in McGrew Pink palaces are usually associated with fairy princesses, but McGrew has its own version, which serves the community in a variety of ways. The Pink Palace — McGrew Lounge can be seen from Highway 92, so it draws a lot of curiosity seekers who receive a friendly welcome. Open seven days a week, the Pink Palace is open 11 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2-9 p.m., Sundays. Prime rib and rib eye steaks are featured on Fridays, and in the fall, barbecued ribs are on Saturday's menu. A large room is available for special gatherings. For more information on this regional favorite, call 308-788-1055. 57. Go bird watching at the Metcalf State Wildlife Management Area near Hay Springs In the western-most part of the Panhandle, with an area of 3,068 acres, is Metcalf State Wildlife Management Area. A bird-watching paradise, the WMA has typical Pine Ridge habitat, mostly pine-covered with some open grasslands. Pine-adapted species that are common in the Black Hills occur only in the northwestern corner of Nebraska, such as Lewis's Woodpecker, Pinyon Jay, Dark-eyed Junco, Western Tanager, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, Plumbeous Vireo and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Just on the edge of the Sandhills, puddles can catch migrating waterfowl. There are no camping facilities. The area is located 9.5 miles north and 0.5 mile east of Hay Springs. 58. Visit a frontier trading post at the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron The Museum of the Fur Trade combines an outstanding collection and scholarship to interpret the story of the fur trade. Exhibits explain the importance of the fur trade and how it developed from early colonial days to the present century. The museum also follows the lives British, French, and Spanish traders, voyageurs, mountain men, professional buffalo hunters, and typical Plains and Woodland Indians. Exhibits include the entire range of trade goods, including munitions, cutlery, axes, firearms, textiles, costumes, paints, and beads. Nearly 50 years later, it has become an institution whose collections and research are known and respected worldwide. The museum is located three miles east of Chadron on U. S. Highway 20. For hours of operation and more information, call 308-432-3843. 59. Get in your licks at Platte Valley Creamery in Scottsbluff The Platte Valley Creamery is a favorite ice cream stop for many locals and visitors. Located at 1005 E. Overland in Scottsbluff, the creamery has a variety of more than 20 flavors of ice cream ranging from vanilla and chocolate to champagne sherbet. The creamery makes the ice cream on site and offer cones, dishes, malts, and a variety of candies, and soft drinks. The building was built in the 1930s, and Ron Smith has been the owner of the creamery for over 25 years. For more information, call 308-6324225. 60. Buy a pair of spurs at Morgan's Cowpoke Haven in Ellsworth Just to the south of Marie Sandoz' ranch is the town of Ellsworth. The Spade Ranch Store was new then and as the story goes Sandoz would wait there to catch the mail wagon. Today it's owned by Wade Morgan and features western memorabilia, some old and some new, including Native American artifacts. You can buy spurs ($49.95), tack and guns. Sundries are stacked mercantile style. There's iced coffee in the fridge. Ice-cream, ice and tobacco are in the freezer. The store is at the southern tip of the old Spade Ranch, which had more than 500,000 acres in 1900. To get there take Highway 385 north to Alliance, east on Highway 2 and turn north over railroad tracks. The store is approximately 88 miles from Scottsbluff. 61. Fish walleyes through the ice at Whitney Lake Whitney Lake has been around for nearly a century, formed when irrigators in the Whitney area who had taken water from the White River decided to create a more comprehensive irrigation system. In December 1921 the issue was put to voters and passed, making the front page in the first issue of the Dawes County News. Today the 900-acre lake, located about a mile and a half west of Whitney, just off U.S. 20, boasts channel catfish, crappie, walleye, white bass and yellow perch. The Nebraska Game and Parks Ice Fishing Guides lists Whitney as being one of the best lakes in the state for catching walleyes through the ice. It's a shallow lake and access is limited, although there's a public boat ramp on the southeast corner of the lake. 62. Eat a piece of pie at Crawford's High Plains Homestead Stop by an Old West town recreated with period buildings and sip a sasparilla at the Dirty Creek Saloon or munch a meal at the High Plains Cookshack. The Cookshack features homemade pies, bread and rolls, as well as its Indian Taco that was featured on the Food Network, among other fare. Lunch is served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., dinner 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Evening meals Monday through Thursday are open menu. Friday and Saturday nights feature steak, ribs or salmon. Sunday night is family open-pit grill burger night, including a buffalo burger option from meat raised on the premises. To get there, travel north on Highway 2/71 from Crawford, turn west on Toadstool Road and turn west on Sand Creek Road. (Note: Toadstool Road may be impassible in wet weather.) Reservations encouraged, and required for Friday/Saturday evenings. For more information, log onto www.highplainshomestead.com or call 308-665-2592. 63. Photograph the ghost town of Orella Many of Nebraska's ghost towns are little more than a building or two or a scatter of foundations, the structures long ago hauled off for other purposes or scavenged for wood. A notable exception is the Sioux County town of Orella near Toadstool Park. According to historical accounts, Orella was established around 1907, when the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad moved a depot and section house there and platted several streets. Most of the residents were railroad employees. At one time it had a post office, dry goods store, hotel, dance hall, bank, cream house and coal house. During the 1940s, there was even a small gas station. According to one account the last residents left in the 1960s, and all that's left today is a handful of abandoned buildings. The buildings are on private property. To get there, follow Toadstool Road for about 20 miles north of Crawford. 64. Spin a yarn at the Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair The Fiber Arts Fair launched its first showcase of area vendors, such as Brown Sheep Company, and crafters last year. This year, the Fiber Arts Fair fun will continue Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds in Mitchell. One of the chief organizers, Brown Sheep Company, has been providing "Quality Yarns for Quality People" for 20 years. The company grew from a manufacturing plant staffed by family to into a multifaceted mill, producing its distinct yarns in a palette of 200 colors. Visitors to the Fiber Arts Fair will be able to participate in classes in tatting, knitting and other handicrafts. If you don't make it to the Fiber Arts Fair, check out Brown Sheep Company at its manufacturing company near Mitchell. The company often provides interesting tours of its facilities, where you can see the various processes for turning wool into yarn and buy the company's wares onsite, including patterns. 65. Walk your dog on the Monument Valley Pathways Take a leisurely stroll along the Monument Valley Pathway next to the North Platte River in Scottsbluff and watch the sun set over Scotts Bluff National Monument. The paved pathway stretches 1.88 miles west from the YMCA parking lot to the sand pit lake west of Riverside Zoo. Several benches along the path provide opportunities to have a rest, and picnic tables are available near the west and east ends of the pathway, as well as near the Riverside Park parking area. Parking is available in the YMCA lot, to the west of the Boy Scout building at the intersection of Broadway/10th Street and South Beltline Highway, and in Riverside Park. If you've brought your dog, let your pet off leash for a while inside the dog park in Riverside Park. For a longer walk or bike ride, follow the pathway south over the Broadway/10th Street bridge and connect to paths through Terrytown, Scotts Bluff National Monument and Gering. 66. Enjoy any season at Fort Laramie with the spirits of past visitors Step back in time with a visit to Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Supplies, including canned peaches, wines, and fine dresses ordered from catalogs, arrived at Fort Laramie by wagon train and were highly sought after by civilians and military personnel. Originally a trading post built in 1834, the fort served as the major center of civilization for the military and civilians on the frontier until 1890 when it was sold in parcels to area residents. Today, the spirit of those past inhabitants can still be found walking the grounds of Fort Laramie National Historic Site that are open year round to visitors, three miles southwest of the town of Fort Laramie, Wyo. Information: 307-837-22221, http://www.nps.gov/fola. 67. Sample life in a sheep wagon Want to get away from it all? Really, really away? With no television, no Internet access and no cell phone reception? Get a taste of the simpler shepherd's life and stay in an authentic sheepwagon at Sheepwagon Hideouts on the RuJoDen ranch near Chadron in the scenic Pine Ridge of northwest Nebraska. The sheepwagons are located a quarter-mile to a mile hike from the closest automobile access. Go for a hike, birdwatch or just sit under a tree and read a book. Hosts Jim and Lora O'Rourke are degree-holding rangeland scientists and happy to talk about historical land use and sustainable use of rangeland. Information: 308-432-5954 or www.sheepwagonhideouts.com. 68. Learn about prairie wildflowers at the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center Mari Susette Sandoz, novelist, biographer, lecturer and teacher, was born near Hay Springs on May 11, 1896, and passed away on March 10, 1966. The Marie Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center celebrates one of Nebraska's foremost authors, who wrote extensively about pioneer life and Plains Indians. The High Plains Heritage Center focuses on the High Plains through the acquisition, preservation, display, and interpretation of archival materials, records, documents, books, specimens and artifacts of this region. The exhibit looks at the topics of her writing using her personal experience. The Coffee Gallery exhibit, dedicated to the history of cattle ranching on the High Plains, is the newest of the exhibit spaces and is still in development. The center is located on the campus of Chadron State College; call 308-432-6401 for details. 66. Spin yourself a birdie at Riverside Park's disc golf course Tired of playing catch with a Frisbee? Want to try something new? Take your flying discs over to Scottsbluff's Riverside Park. Behind the zoo, across from the Trails West YMCA Camp, you'll find the first hole of the nine-hole Pioneer Disc Golf course. See if you can get your disc in each chain basket "hole" in "par" throws or fewer. You are welcome to bring your own discs, or you can check out a basic set of putting and driving discs at Riverside Zoo for $2. Borrowed discs must be returned before 5 p.m. Zoo staff, who are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., can also provide a map of the course. Information: 308-630-6236. 70. Recall "The Toughest Town on the Tracks" during Sidney's Gold Rush DaysThe days of the Wild, Wild West is an adventure the City of Sidney recreates the second Saturday of June. The annual Gold Rush Days celebration will take crowds back to 1867, when gold was discovered in the Black Hills and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail served as the shortest route to get to the fields. With military outposts, Indian agencies and Sidney serving as a trailhead for cattle drives, the town earned "The Toughest Town on the Tracks" moniker by attracting some not-so-welcome characters, gunfights and fistfights. During this year's celebration, Gold Rush Days featured a treasure hunt, mountain man camp, log cutting, wagon rides and even entertainment from Native American dancers and a barbershop quartets for a connection to the past. 71. Step inside a "soddy" at the Banner County Museum Among the 11 structures included in the Banner County Museum complex, you'll find the old Banner County Bank, as well as a pioneer church and a 1910 barn. The church building not only holds a wide range of exhibits, it also is used as a meeting place for the small rural community. Located - miles south of Scottsbluff, the hamlet once was an economic center for ranchers and dryland wheat growers. Irrigated crops are now part of the local landscape, with the advent of pivot sprinklers, and other new irrigation methods. Open Sundays, 2-5 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day, and by appointment. 308-436-4514. 72. Get history on the go at the region's wayside markers Small cutouts next to the state highways yield big dividends — if you'll only take the two minutes to stop and read the wayside markers that are put up to teach travelers the history of Nebraska. Scotts Bluff County has six markers; Morrill County has seven; Box Butte County has five; Cheyenne County has 10; and Sioux County has four. You can read about history at the place it happened and look at a landscape that eyes of history viewed many years ago. The Horse Creek Treaty, Narcissa Whitman, Coffee Siding and the Golden Link have markers and are events significant to the founding and the progression of a territory to statehood and prosperity. How to find makers: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/markers/texts/. 73. Travel back in time on the Fossil Freeway According to Kirk Thomas, author of Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway, 90 of 93 Nebraska counties have yielded elephant skeletons or bones. Exploring the richness of the fossil sites is as easy as following a straight line from the northernmost point of the freeway, the Mammoth site in Hot Springs, S.D. just north of the northern border of Neb.; and south along the Pine Ridge of Nebraska, where plains animals lived in the grasslands of the high plains and two Columbian mammoths locked together for all time. At the Wildcat Hills south of Scottsbluff two saber tooth cats remain intertwined in death at the nature center. Wrap up the Fossil Freeway excursion at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Colorado. Families can see a diorama of animals as they might have lived 10,000 years ago on the grasslands that rolled out of the Rockies all the way to the Sand hills of Nebraska. Log on to http://fossilfreeway.net/. 74. Pedal in the Pine Ridge Tackle some challenging western Nebraska terrain on two wheels — mountain bike in the Pine Ridge. There are many opportunities for scenic views and wildlife watching in the diverse grassland and forest, which is similar to the ecology of South Dakota's Black Hills. Chadron State Park has about 15 miles of trails open to both hikers and mountain bikers. Fort Robinson allows hiking and biking access to any of its 22,000 acres except the buffalo pastures. Take a jaunt into town from Fort Robinson to Crawford on a three-mile crushed-rock trail. Stop by park headquarters to get advice and a trail map. A vehicle entry permit is required ($20 annual, $4 daily). For information, call Chadron State Park 308-432-6167 or Fort Robinson 30 This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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