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Brian Kurth's avatar

Such timing with this piece, Jim!

Wade and I decided to "hit the road" yesterday for an overnight. Living in TImnath, CO, we're only 2-hours from the Oregon Trail and Scotts Bluff. Driving 30 minutes and being in the Colorado Rockies is commonplace for us. But have we ever taken the time to drive to Scottbluff, NE to see the Nebraska panhandle's topographical wonders and acknowledge its significance in the history of the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails? Never. Until yesterday.

Rather than taking I-80 east from I-25, we took 2-lane highway 85, just north of Cheyenne and drove through the desolate rolling hills of eastern Wyoming's ranch land. We stopped in at B&V Coffeehouse in LaGrange, WY. In addition to making good coffee, they also serve tasty Wyoming beef hamburgers, homemade potato chips and apple pie. From LaGrange, we drove on to the Wildcat Hills Wilderness Area before going on to Scotts Bluff National Monument. Amazing views. Amazing history.

An interesting observation is that the bluffs were landmarks for so many for decades when the Oregon Trail was that era's version of an Interstate highway. But now you have to really want to visit Scotts Bluff since it's 45 minutes north of I-80.

We ended our day at the Skyview Drive-in Theatre, watching the new Indiana Jones movie with local fireworks in the background. Does it get any better than that? (Well maybe. Disclaimer: It's not such a great movie.)

I'm glad we took a couple of days over the 4th of July weekend to drive up. Well worth it. If I could post a couple of photos here, I would.

Thanks, as always, for sharing your thoughts, opinions and memories with us, Jim.

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cognomun's avatar

Such ruts, from chariot wheels to wagon wheels to railroad tracks. We do scar our way through time.

Once again, great read to start Sunday morning. Many thanks.

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