Travel to Escapade, 5/8/14

Day 6 - Thursday, May 8, 2014
Nebraska to Iowa

Today started very early with an appointment at the Crossroads Ford service department in Kearney, Nebraska.  Our truck told us it needed an oil change and they were nice enough to accommodate us as we traveled through the area.  After the service was completed, we went back to camp and packed up to continue our travel to Indiana.  As we left Kearney, NE, we passed under the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument.

We finished crossing Nebraska and are now in Iowa.  Today was the first day that we had to drive in the rain.  The rain was very heavy, but not dangerously so.  Now that we are in camp for the night, the wind is strong and there is heavy rain again, but we are assured that the bad storms are staying away from this area.

Although Nebraska and Iowa have beautiful farm land and rolling hills, I did not take any photos.  This part of the country is much more populated so traffic was heavier and needed more concentration.  One thing that is different in this area and much of the eastern part of the country is that entrance onto the freeway is a "Yield" not a "Merge" like we have in California.  You really have to be careful because, often, the drivers on the freeway do not slow down or scoot over for you if you are coming onto the freeway. 

That's it for today.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Travel to Escapade, 5/7/14

Day 5 - Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Nebraska

Last evening we were treated to a light show.  California doesn't get lightening very often, so  it was very exciting and interesting to watch the lightening jump from cloud to cloud in the distance.  We were far enough away from the actual storm that we had stars above us and we could not hear the thunder from the lightening that we saw.  However, during the night, we were awakened by the thunder and rain hitting our trailer.  That was all gone by the time the sun came up.

Agriculture is definitely one of the main occupations in Nebraska.  The highway passed fields that have been recently planted or are just beginning to grow and several that have not been worked yet.  There was a lot of pasture land with cows, sheep and goats being the most seen animals.  Spring is just beginning in this area.  The leaves on the trees are just starting to emerge.  Even the spring landscaping is yet to be done in many places, for example,  around the sign below.

Traveling along I-80, you come to this huge arch across the highway at Kearney, Nebraska.  Over the years, we have passed by this arch and wondered what it was about.  It is the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument.  We did not go inside this time, but did a few years ago.  If you ever get a chance, stop by this attraction.  There is an amazing museum inside that covers the time from wagon trains heading out to explore the west and progresses through modern times.  It is very well done. 

 There is also a small fort that contains a maze inside and "guard towers" on each corner.

The entrance to the archway is behind the fort.  As you enter, you are guided to an escalator that takes you up to the arch that crosses the freeway.  The museum winds around in the arch and comes to an area that you can look out at the traffic flying by beneath you.

The reason that we are staying in Kearney, tonight, is because we need to have the oil changed in our truck.  Our new truck is so computerized that it tells us when we need to get service and what it needs.  So early tomorrow morning, we will be taking the truck to the local Ford dealer for a service appointment.  Therefore, I better cut this post short and get some sleep.