NE Day 35 Tuesday July 12, 2022 at Ogallala NE

 NE Day 35 Tuesday July 12, 2022 at Ogallala NE

We had some work to do before leaving for Lake Ogallala just 8 miles from here. That work was to connect with a pharmacy that would accept an order of some of Ruth's meds. It is a Walgreen's Pharmacy in Grand Island NE, just  four days down the road where we will stay 5 days. We also 'scoped out' the grocery store (Safeway) and a barber shop for Jim. ("Buds".) Great work by the Walgreen Pharmacy.

Today was another hot one at 95F, but remember it is "dry" heat. That means you don't swelter in the heat, and if you fortunate enough to find shade, then the 17 mph wind will keep you from sweltering. So we did get on the road a bit later at 9:45, and headed north through town, on N 61. The road has been recently paved (macadam) and was not lined yet, so a smooth drive.

The Spillway at the dam is putting out 20,000 gps

We suspected we would see Pelicans and we did.

Looking at Lake Ogallala from the dam.

 

This lake is one of two lakes made by the huge dam called Kingsley Dam after the man who was the big financier for the project. (a Banker) and the Big Lake McConagaughy, (pron; mick-con-a-hee) named after a grain merchant and Mayor of a town near here. 

The dam is 165 feet high and 3.1 miles long, and is the second largest hydraulically filled dam in the world. Lake Ogallala was formed by the soil that was used to build the dam, and is 35 feet deep and 1.2 miles long. (see photos) Both of these are filled from the North Platte River which continues downstream and flows into the Platte River.

When we got there, there was work on the dam, mainly patching the cement roadway, which meant 'one way' traffic. So there was a "traffic light"set up and we had to wait for the light to change, BUT... when we got about halfway across, the traffic stopped, for a long time...25 minutes,??? and suddenly the traffic from behind us started coming in the other lane. ??? It seems the guy ahead of me stopped, somehow, behind a parked, stopped, work truck. and missed the flow we were in. UGH! We got on the end of the line and made it but we had to stop for cement loaders as we were not expected to be coming so late.

Vervain is a nuisance weed to livestock

A new one for us was Bush Morning Glory

You might recognize the Prickly Poppy

 

The Bio Station road. We met "Bri", a worker there on the road

A seed pod of the Bush Morning Glory.

A photo of the young Western Kingbird.

We didn't spent as much time in the camping area at Lake Ogallala but did pick up a few birds and for Ruth seeing an American Redstart, it was a thrill. We sat on a picnic table and ate  lunch in the shade and watched a young Western Kingbird with its adult female.

 

Groceries at Safeway! Ogallala NE

 

It was time head back and get that haircut, and the groceries. The barber shop was a shop that had been in business for many years and "Bud"was very meticulous,  and sat on a special stool some of the hair cutting time. The man ahead of me needed a "brush cut, and it wasn't very long. But "Bud" used only clippers and he had at least 5 of them with adjustments that he used, and took 25 minutes with the young man. (I may still be here after sunset). But he did give me a great haircut that I liked as he left some on the top for me to part. There was discussion about military time. All three of us were in the Army. Two Army tankers in the room and me, the medic. But the conversation finally got to, politics and I got it right away that this was a Republican shop and they had no use for President Biden, and especially VP Harris. They even were worried if Biden died and Harris, or worse yet, "Nancy"would be President if Harris was killed as well. UGH! I did not say a word, until we were all finished and I knew my haircut was finished. I said I liked the haircut so much, I might just vote republican! That got a few chuckles.

That left the groceries to do, and Safeway was almost entirely empty. It was just a lull at 3:00 PM. Ruth did find some more Tillamook ice cream, but no "Mudslide"that we love so we settled for Carmel Cream. W@e also bought some prepered salads,Macaroni and Potato, which we seldon do, as a "change of pace" in eating.

That was the day... and at 6:30 PM it is still 95 F. The next six days will hit the 100 F mark each day, but remember it is "dry heat".

Tomorrow we will do the back side of McConaghaughy Lake along the shoreline.