It was an interesting day as the trip from Ogallala to Yankton (NE to SD) drive was scheduled to be 365 miles . It ended up being a bit more as we routed the trip erroneously and almost ended up where we would have had huge detour to get to Yankton.. But my navigator was alert enough to see our mistake before we had passed the "Point of no return" so to speak. But, all in all it worked out and we only added 14 miles that weren't "programmed" . All portions of the trip were pre mapped and miles counted so that we have an itinerary. It can get changed, but usually keeps close to the schedule. We might cut a day here and there or add one. The ending date is usually set in stone. (appointments, engagements, etc)
The drive up US 83 through the heartland of Nebraska is a sight that very few of Amercans traveling get to see, I am sure. First of all it goes (in Nebraska) from south of the Patte River (North Platte) to Valentine and beyond on the north end. I will have to admit that we passed very few cars most of the way. There were many grain and cattle trucks, but few passenger vehicles. There are many acres of grass, corn and beans in the southern 1/2 of that route, and and as we get closer to Thedford (about the middle of the route) the farms are fewer and the grazing lands take over, as the SANDHILLS start to form. This area of Sandhills is well known in the west and have been formed from the underlying strata that they lay upon.
1. First the wind picks up the pieces of sand and moves it into ripples and then eventually dunes are formed. Hence what is called 'saltation'.
2. The dunes a have a gradual slope on the up wind side and are steep 30 degrees on the downwind side resulting in a "slip face'.
3. This is where the finer particles end up (at the bottom) and hence gives a build up of good soil at the bottom of the dune or what are called interdunal areas. These are tillable lands and also hold moisture better. (Think of this on a very large scale , not just a few thousand feet or so.)
The SANDHILLS of Nebraska are thought to be the largest dune field in the western hemisphere. They are 265 miles long at their widest point and over 125 miles across. They cover one-fourth of the state of Nebraska and are larger than several North American states. They were formed 8,000 years ago as a result of a dry time during the Wisconsin Period.
Moving east on NE 59 through grazing land.
Soon the Sandhills on our route, were replaced by more gently rolling land and more moisture in the ponds, lakes and waterways. As we moved north and east the drought almost was extinguished. We finally rolled into Yankton at about 5:30 crossed ther remarkable bridge pillars on the Missouri River, was greeted by "Don" the cao owner, and set up the trailer before having a "dinner out". Dinner was at the "Fryin' Pan" a good family restaurant that had general Amercan fare and some other "Mex" dishes. Their salad buffet was excellent and the potato/dumpling soup was to die over. It was the best I have ever had. The manager said it had been on their menu for long time and was a favorite of many. They only make it (from scratch) twice a week.
So there you have it for Thursday enroute from Nebraska to South Dakota. A pleasant drive albeit a bit longer than we like. But it was a look at some of the country we don't often (ever?) see. As a side note, there is WHITE WATER RAFTING on the Niobrara River in Northern Nebraska. Who wooda thunk it?
Three work stoppages for curbing to prevent erosion on roadsides
Cattle abound in the middle of Nebraska. Lots of cattle (and pig) hauling.
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