Entering Nebraska

Hey Everyone!!!

This is Susan again from Nebraska this time.

We sure didn't know what to expect when we made reservations at the National

Forest in Nebraska. In our mind, Nebraska was long miles of corn fields.

We have yet to see any corn yet.

The trail here went the through the area in South Dakota that was dealing

with a forest fire that was destroying homes and had killed one person. We

did see the pillars of mad smoke, but it was quite a ways from the highway

we were traveling.

Leaving the Black Hills was a bit sad since we had enjoyed ourselves so much

there. Our last day was spent cleaning with a couple hour break for a bike

ride on the rails-to-trails path. What a enjoyable experience that was!

Rose is able to ride without training wheels and Chris has one of those

wheel things that attaches to my bike. We were able to ride 3 or 4 miles.

In that period we saw a beaver cross the path in front of us and raced a

deer.

The Nebraska landscape was a bit barren after such lushness in South Dakota,

but after a few miles we started to see the natural beauty. The area we are

camping in is an oasis in the prairie. Someone said this man-made forest is

three miles across, not sure how long...but it is a ways. Jerry is going to

hike to the look-out tower today while the rest swims. This is the only

National Forest that boasts a swimming pool. When the forest was built by

CCC in the 30's, they included a swimming pool with all the other buildings.

The pool is used by local residents as well as visitors to the forest.

There is a minimal charge ($1.00) and the pool is only open certain hours..

but believe me having that water available in the heat (and humidity) is a

blessing. Unfortunately the pool is closed on Wednesdays so poor children

had to wait one more day to hit the water.

Since swimming was out yesterday, and we were needing some supplies, we

back-tracked to the nearest town (Thedford, population: 450). It is the

county seat so it has a lot going on with the fairgrounds, courthouse, etc.

It also has a grocery store (think what might be in Falls City). Not only

that there is a museum (which will open if you give them a call) and an art

gallery. Not to mention the local hotel--the sign was so interesting we

couldn't resist a few pictures. All you cowboys are probably green with

envy about now.

When we were returning to camp we notice a dirt road that was the back road

to the forest and decided to take it. It wasn't long before we saw the sign

that said only 4-wheel drive vehicles allowed. Couldn't figure out why for

the first 20 miles, then we hit the wash-outs. It sure was fun to drive

it!!! Told Jerry that I like off-roading. Really kicked up the dirt (not).

Jerry is pretty protective of his truck and actually told me to slow down.

Oh well, I pretended. We were a bit used to grassland scenery, but this was

so much better!!! There were so many flowers blooming and everything seems

to be well-watered. I included some pictures from our back-road experience.

A mini-adventure occurred when an unknown visitor flew through Chris's

window and landed below him. I included the best picture we got of this

little fellow. Chris shrieked and Rose said that a tiny owl was on the

floor. We have no idea what this bug is, but it was strikingly beautiful.

The picture needed to be better to appreciate all the colors he has. He was

probably 2 to 3 inches long. There were hundreds of them flying with us the

whole time we were in the grassland area. When we get Internet access again

we are going to find out what it is. Jerry was the brave one to remove him,

Chris didn't want anything to do with it. Rose is our bug girl. She wanted

to keep him for her collection. You can rest easy knowing he was returned

to live free--will maybe. There was a very pretty bird eyeing him when we

left.

About 10 miles from camp the forest began. It is hard to imagine how much

work was done to plant this area. My understanding is there were two

forests planted. This is the smaller one and it is incredible. One area

was posted that it was planted by school children in 1960ish. Those

children are probably now bringing their grandchildren to see the trees they

planted. It is mostly various species of pine, but there are elm and

cottonwood as well as spruce and cedar. The smell is amazing!!! Even Rose

and Chris have noticed.

Rose and Chris are delighted with this place. The loop we are camped around

is about 20 acres...with nothing but trees a knolls in the center. We all

have hiked through this mini-forest and deemed it "good". Rose and Chris

are allowed to wander this area at will. Their only rule is they cannot

cross any road. There are so many paths to entertain their imaginative

play! We are still heavy into the cowboy/Indian stuff. I asked them

yesterday if they were hiking through there like Indians, Rose said, "No, we

are noisy white men."

The pictures this time are sent smaller...should be quicker to open as well

as download. I had several people mention they had some trouble. This is

the smallest size I have available-hope it works for you.

We are on a grand adventure and do think of our friends that we have left

behind, often.

Best wishes to all of you--til next time--where ever that is.