Technical Difficulties

No matter how hard you try to plan everything in advance, something is going to go wrong.  Or two somethings.  Or three somethings.  I’m learning that how you deal with the problems is what really matters.  Unfortunately, that’s something I have to work on.  The perfectionist in me too often rears its ugly head, and I let things get to me when I should just shrug them off. 

The first problem was trying to hook up to electric, when it didn’t work.  After we spent a frustrating hour dealing with that issue the first night on the road, we at least learned that advance planning had paid off.  Tim and I had installed a surge protector, and that probably saved our electrical system.  An annoying situation, but one that worked out in the end.

Last night I tried to update the blog, and Blogger just wouldn’t cooperate.  I’d compose a post one way, and it would look completely different online.  Why was my last sentence in the middle of the post?  So, my best laid plan to update the blog on a daily basis was off to a bad start.  I just gave up.  There would be no posting last night.

Tonight, my connection to the outside world died.  I had purchased a MiFi from Verizon so that Tim and I could both have internet access for the laptop and iPad.  My attempt to install a firmware update for the MiFi resulted in my being locked out entirely.  There would be no internet and no new blog posts tonight either.  Maybe I was just tired, but I was not a happy camper.  Poor Linda!



Fields of Nebraska Corn



At least the drive through Nebraska was beautiful.  Some may scoff at the idea of beauty in Nebraska, but I loved the sight of gently rolling hills with fields of corn and soybeans.  Colors varied from field to field, with some still green and others already turning brownish-red.

We arrived at the Homestead National Monument of America at the end of the day and toured the exhibits at the new Heritage Center.  The Homestead Act of 1862 was so significant in the country’s western expansion, and the monument interprets the stories of settlers from Nebraska to Alaska.  The last homesteader in fact was from Alaska and received his patent in 1988!  I had no idea the act was in effect until the end of the twentieth century.

Heritage Center at Homestead National Monument



 The "Living Wall" Represents the Percentage of Land
Successfully Homesteaded in Each State



Did Linda Homestead in Colorado?

As Linda and I looked at the exhibits about typical homesteads, I commented that I was certainly glad the RV didn’t have a dirt floor to sweep.  A woman standing nearby, however, pointed out that with a dirt floor, “no one would notice if the house was dirty.”

Palmer-Epard Cabin, 1867

Wagons, Ho!

Linda and I made it through the night without any problems (we don’t count being awaken at 4:00 pm by a cat who needed some attention as a problem).  We feasted on the peanut butter pretzels that we had purchased yesterday for breakfast.  I love sampling regional specialties and hope to continue this throughout the trip.

Today was all about the Oregon Trail, and we had booked a three-hour Oregon Trail Wagon Train ride to Chimney Rock for the morning.  This idea had taken form back in Estes Park, and Linda and I had made special preparations for the ride.  Specifically, Linda had thought it would be a great idea for us to wear bonnets on the ride.  She had offered to make them for us, but Tim and I had found some when we were in Casper last month.  Linda tried out her bonnet yesterday at Scotts Bluff.  We were all set for the trail.



Chimney Rock in the Distance



Reflection in the Water

Murf, the wagon master, regaled us with tales about the Oregon Trail pioneers, as well as stories about himself and his background, during the tour to Chimney Rock.  The covered wagon ride goes all the way to the base of Chimney Rock, which is not accessible by car.  Murf offered to let me drive the wagon, and I did so with a bit of trepidation, given my uneven history with horses.  Knowing that Murf would not relinquish total control did not boost my confidence.  I was only mildly insulted when he accused me of being from Australia, since I had let the wagon drift to the left side of the road.  Thankfully, Linda, the master horsewoman, took over and got us safely to Chimney Rock.


Am I Going the Right Way?



Let the Expert Handle It

We got out at Chimney Rock with Murf’s son Michael, who walked with us around the base.  This was also our stop to pose for photos.  Don’t we look fetching in our bonnets?  The ride itself was a blast and was the highlight of the day.  What an amazing place!  I can see how Chimney Rock became such an important landmark for pioneers as they journeyed westward.

Murf and the Two Pioneers



Let's Go



Murf and His Wagon Train



Leaving Chimney Rock

Cinnamon Rolls, Cabbage Burgers and Surge Protectors

Today it all started.  The trip has begun.  What’s a bit strange is that the trip is starting without Tim.  Yes, I know, it’s our trip, but Tim can’t leave work until the end of September.  Since we want to see fall in New England, we had decided that I would leave at the beginning of September and drive to New England with several friends. 

Linda chose the first leg of the journey, from Estes Park to St. Louis.  This was so fitting since she drove from St. Louis to Estes Park with me almost one year ago to the day.

After saying a sentimental good-by to Tim and Linda’s husband Tom, I backed out of our driveway and started screaming.  I can’t believe that after more than a year of planning and anticipation, the trip is really happening.  It’s real, not just a dream anymore.

We're On Our Way!

Linda and I headed down Big Thompson Canyon and then made a detour to Johnson’s Corner.  Why, you might ask?  For cinnamon rolls, of course!  We ended last year’s trip that way, and it only seemed fitting to start this trip with that yummy concoction.

Sinful Cinnamon Rolls

Up A Tree

We drove to Fort Morgan, Colorado, where Kitty took a little break in Riverside Park, and then headed north along Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Highway.  Chimney Rock National Historic Site in Nebraska was our destination for the evening.  But first we made a detour for cabbage burgers at the Gering Bakery in Gering, Nebraska, (it’s all about the food). Cabbage burgers are a regional specialty introduced by German immigrants who settled the plains more than a hundred years ago.



Gering Bakery



Cabbage Burgers



Scotts Bluff National Monument



Linda on the Oregon Trail

A visit to Scotts Bluff National Monument and a chat with the ranger at the visitor center introduced us to the Oregon Trail.

Our experience at our first campground was not the most auspicious start for the trip, however.  The campground had a view of Chimney Rock and had lots of trees and full hookups, plus a most reasonable price.  We couldn’t get the electric hookup to work, however, and later discovered that the surge protector that Tim and I had installed did its job.  No electric for the night.  The young man at the campground suggested running the water for a while before using it, so we decided that maybe we should forego water as well.  So, we’re back to basics tonight, although we hadn’t really prepared for it.  A wonderful bottle of wine, which Linda had purchased in Hermann, Missouri, on last year’s trip, a little smoked salmon and cheese and some wonderful conversation made everything so much better.