After a week in Scottsbluff we are off to Saratoga Wyoming tomorrow. We enjoyed our stay here very much. We took many hikes at the Scottsbluff National Monument and the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.

Our hikes at the National Monument began at the visitor center when we would walk a trail all the way to the top, an 800 ft. elevation gain in 1.6 miles. We started around 8:00 am each morning in order to beat the afternoon heat and we're back at the truck before lunch. There were nice views from the top with 150 mile visibility all the way to the Medicine Bow Mountains in Wyoming.

This morning we drove about 12 miles south to the Wildcat Hills Recreation Area. They had a nice visitor center and educational area where over 6000 school children each year visit. The downstairs educational room was exceptional. We did a few hikes and saw no one else on the trails, very secluded with a few nice picnic areas.

 Scottsbluff is a small city (15,000 pop.) however it has everything you need. Being far from a major metropolitan center it has to be self sufficient for its citizens. It's nice to see a small city with a vibrant downtown area, rare in so many small towns back east. We made a couple of drives into the surrounding countryside, one to Torrington, Wyoming and another to Chadron, Nebraska, both charming little towns of around 5000 residents each.

A great bakery we visited a couple of times

This old theater is still operating in Torrington, WY

In the Wildcat Hills. The bluff at Scottsbluff is visible in the distance

The next few photos are in the Wildcat Hills

Inside the visitor center

We stopped here a couple of times. Excellent ice cream made on site

The next few photos are taken at the Scottsbluff Nat. monument

A Day At Fort Robinson State Park

A drive of just over 100 miles north of Scottsbluff brings you to Ft. Robinson State Park. Established in 1874 as an Indian Agency protective post. Many of the buildings have been fully restored with the barracks available for rent by the general public. It was very hot while we were there, 95 degrees so we didn't do a lot of walking. There is so much offered at the park, horse back rides, wagon rides, campfire meals, RV Campgrounds, indoor pool, restaurant, store, museum, etc.. I imagine a lot of families take their summer vacation and spend it here.

We enjoyed the drive almost as much as the fort. The topography and land use was varied from ranching, to hay production, to wheat and sugar beet production. We passed many farm combines running down the road, heading to the next field to work. They are BIG machines.

On the way back to Scottsbluff we decided to drive over to the small town of Chadron (photo of downtown is below) and drive around. This town is very far from a city of any size so the downtown area is very much alive and well...good to see. After stopping at McDonalds for a couple of ice cream cones and a restroom break, we headed back to Scottsbluff, 110 miles away. After going 30 miles, Barbara discovered her phone missing. She said she remembered taking it off in the restroom and laying it down. She was sure it was still there. To say she was very upset is an understatement. She said a heart felt prayer. I turned around and 30 minutes later we were back at McDonalds. Not to fear, someone turned it in to a cashier. Barbara was so thankful!!

Off To Western Nebraska

I am writing this while sitting outside the RV at Riverside Campground in Scottsbluff Nebraska. It's about 9:30 in the evening, 65 degrees, no humidity...so pleasant. We pulled out of Kansas City on Friday morning and drove to North Platte, NE for the night before making our way to Scottsbluff today. The drive was uneventful. It was our first long trip after getting new tires for the truck. It was a really smooth ride. We plan to stay for 7 nights and take in what this part of Nebraska offers. I just love this part of the country with its wide open spaces and light traffic. I can sometimes catch a glimpse or feeling of what the "Wild West" must have been like. We have a few things planned but for the most part I just want the day to come to us.

We did take a drive around Scottsbluff this afternoon just to get a feel for the town. It has around 15,000 residents and is the largest town in all of western Nebraska. Before we left I found on Tripadvisor an ice cream place called Platt River Creamery, in business fo 80 years and very highly rated. I had Butter Brickle and Barbara had Lemon. Very good! All of the ice cream is made on site. After a stop at Walmart for a few things we went back to the campground.

We met a nice couple camped next to us, Sam and Becky, full timers just like us. They are heading to Wyoming in a couple of days. Hopefully we'll get a chance to visit some more before they leave. You just don't meet too many full time RVers so it's nice to meet a couple that understands the freedom and adventure of our lifestyle.

Scottsbluff, landmark on the Oregon Trail

Getting ready to leave North Platte, NE

The wide open spaces of Western Nebraska

Chimney Rock

Winding down our stay in the Kansas City area

Brody spent the night with us last night, the last one until late fall when we return for the month of November. We've been getting the RV ready for travel out west. We leave Friday for Scottsbluff Nebraska. We'll stay for a week, exploring the area, hiking and getting used to higher altitude. We then head to Saratoga Wyoming for the month of August.
The month we've been here has gone by fast, visiting with family and friends. Barbara and I will miss them but are really looking forward to getting back to traveling and spending time together.

After breakfast this morning, we took Brody to the Moon Marble Company in Bonner Springs Kansas. It was a delightful place to visit with room after room of vintage toys, games, and oh yea, marbles. After lunch at the nearby Dairy Queen we went to Cabela's and Sam's Club before getting Brody back home...a good day.

Making marbles at Moon Marble Company

Brody is in toy heaven

Out back of Moon Marble the train tracks are close!

We decided to sit on the back of the truck and wait 

On a train.

At Cabela's

At the Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs Kansas.

A lot has happened in the past year. In June 2014 we went back to Tennessee to help care for Mom who had just been diagnosed with cancer. We stayed with her until she left this world on May, 29 of this year. She was the best of mom's, always loving, caring, and compassionate. I will miss her for a little while until I join her around the throne of God when my time is up here. 

We left in June to return back to Kansas City to see the kids. The plan is to stay here until the 24th of July when we'll head to Scottsbluff, NE for a week. Then it's off to Wyoming for the month of August.

These photos are from a visit to the Agricultural Hall of Fame near Bonner Springs, Kansas. We had a great day with grandson Brody.