In mid May, me and the missus took a road trip to celebrate our 25th anniversary. 15 days, 13 states and 6,100 miles. It was a trip that I had planned a year prior, but postponed when I took a new job. So, with our looming anniversary I thought what the heck and asked for a leave of absence. However, now that I was tying it in with our anniversary, I wanted to do something special.
On the day of our anniversary, I planned to be driving from Ketchum, Idaho to Kalispel, Montana. I had contacted a number of Methodist churches on my route. Was told by one that they would not have a pastor when we traveling through. Got a reply from the Pastor in Stevensville, Montana, in the Bitterroot River Valley, that said he'd love to do the renewal of our vows. Rolled into Stevensville around 2pm local time. My wife thought we were just checking out the inside of some random church. She had no idea of my plans. The pastor's wife recorded video of the ceremony with my phone. Afterwards, she asked my wife how long she knew of my plans. I glared at her, but it didn't really matter at that point. LOL
Lots of bucket list stuff for me.
We entered Nebraska, from South Dakota, near Rushville. From there we headed west to Chadron. I think I was the only one speeding on US20. You Nebraskans are so polite!
Then south through the Nebraska National Forest. How could I be up there and not go see a National Forest in Nebraska?!!
Next up was Alliance. On the way into town, the wife and I shared an ice cream cone from Zesto's. While I was standing on the corner next to Newberry's, I started talking a gentlemen at the light. Turns out his name was Brad Williams. His family has had a jewelry store in Alliance for 60 years. He gave me more info on the town as I told him what I had seen and pictures I had taken so far. He added to the backstory of my visit there. It looks like the town is doing a lot of renovation to their downtown streets. And no, I did not make it to Carhenge.
After Alliance, we headed to Scottsbluff to spend the night and meet up with my freshman dorm roommate in Lincoln. He drove his motorcycle from Denver to meet up with us. We got in late and didn't get many pics of the town. We checked into the hotel and then went out and had dinner at The Tangled Tumbleweed. Had a few yummy beers and the food was excellent. Totally recommend. Took pics the next morning of Scottsbluff and Gering. Then drove up to the top of Scotts Bluff to see the view of the city.
We now head east to catch a glimpse of Chimney Rock. We pass over and by the Platte River a number of times. We check out the cemetery there at Chimney Rock and also the visitor center. It was there we said goodbye to our friend as he headed back to Colorado.
Now, we are heading east to Ogallala. We could see McConaughy Lake on our northside as we drove on US26. Ogallala was a nice town. Ate lunch at a Runza in a gas station next to I-80. Witnessed a guy jack his pickup bed with a fifth wheel trailer. Part of me laughed, but part of me understood how it could happen. Stopped in Walmart for a few honey dos and then we headed east.
Next stop North Platte! It was on our way to Ogallala that I tried to text Sparky. I needed some of his sauce, PDQ. I wasn't sure if it was available this far west. They sure as hell don't sell it in Texas. Well, I contacted Planored and asked him to go online. He couldn't figure it out so he posted a thread on this board saying that I needed help finding some Sparky's. Well, I was starting to hoof it all over downtown North Platte when I get a call from Sparky himself. The sun is beating down on me and he informs me that I needed head over to the industrial side of town. Yes, at an HVAC place they also sold grills and... *drumroll*... SPARKY'S! It was close to closing time, but I was able to get a bottle of the regular and one of the "new" hot version. Hell yeah!
We left south for McCook after a few more pics around town. It was around 6pm when we got into town. I thought about pushing on into Kansas, but I wanted to take pics of McCook and I was cranky and tired. Didn't feel like doing it that evening. Just wanted to get something to eat and crash. Besides, the missus started feeling really bad. You all know her situation so it was best just to spend the night. Woke up the next day and hiked all over downtown. Very nice town. Had some really cool buildings. One building looked like some old government building, but seemed abandoned. That made me sad. I love old buildings. Wish I would have been hungry as I almost stopped in at Sehnert's. From there we headed south to Kansas. It was fun while it lasted!
This is the building I was talking about. What could it have been?
Leaving Nebraska
On the day of our anniversary, I planned to be driving from Ketchum, Idaho to Kalispel, Montana. I had contacted a number of Methodist churches on my route. Was told by one that they would not have a pastor when we traveling through. Got a reply from the Pastor in Stevensville, Montana, in the Bitterroot River Valley, that said he'd love to do the renewal of our vows. Rolled into Stevensville around 2pm local time. My wife thought we were just checking out the inside of some random church. She had no idea of my plans. The pastor's wife recorded video of the ceremony with my phone. Afterwards, she asked my wife how long she knew of my plans. I glared at her, but it didn't really matter at that point. LOL
Lots of bucket list stuff for me.
- White Sands National Monument
- Saw a show in Las Vegas
- Death Valley National Monument
- Eastern Sierras
- Lake Tahoe
- Virginia City, Nevada (think "Bonanza")
- Glacier National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Tetons National Park
- Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
- Sturgis, Deadwood, Black Hills, Mount Rushmore
- Chimney Rock National Monument
We entered Nebraska, from South Dakota, near Rushville. From there we headed west to Chadron. I think I was the only one speeding on US20. You Nebraskans are so polite!
Then south through the Nebraska National Forest. How could I be up there and not go see a National Forest in Nebraska?!!
Next up was Alliance. On the way into town, the wife and I shared an ice cream cone from Zesto's. While I was standing on the corner next to Newberry's, I started talking a gentlemen at the light. Turns out his name was Brad Williams. His family has had a jewelry store in Alliance for 60 years. He gave me more info on the town as I told him what I had seen and pictures I had taken so far. He added to the backstory of my visit there. It looks like the town is doing a lot of renovation to their downtown streets. And no, I did not make it to Carhenge.
After Alliance, we headed to Scottsbluff to spend the night and meet up with my freshman dorm roommate in Lincoln. He drove his motorcycle from Denver to meet up with us. We got in late and didn't get many pics of the town. We checked into the hotel and then went out and had dinner at The Tangled Tumbleweed. Had a few yummy beers and the food was excellent. Totally recommend. Took pics the next morning of Scottsbluff and Gering. Then drove up to the top of Scotts Bluff to see the view of the city.
We now head east to catch a glimpse of Chimney Rock. We pass over and by the Platte River a number of times. We check out the cemetery there at Chimney Rock and also the visitor center. It was there we said goodbye to our friend as he headed back to Colorado.
Now, we are heading east to Ogallala. We could see McConaughy Lake on our northside as we drove on US26. Ogallala was a nice town. Ate lunch at a Runza in a gas station next to I-80. Witnessed a guy jack his pickup bed with a fifth wheel trailer. Part of me laughed, but part of me understood how it could happen. Stopped in Walmart for a few honey dos and then we headed east.
Next stop North Platte! It was on our way to Ogallala that I tried to text Sparky. I needed some of his sauce, PDQ. I wasn't sure if it was available this far west. They sure as hell don't sell it in Texas. Well, I contacted Planored and asked him to go online. He couldn't figure it out so he posted a thread on this board saying that I needed help finding some Sparky's. Well, I was starting to hoof it all over downtown North Platte when I get a call from Sparky himself. The sun is beating down on me and he informs me that I needed head over to the industrial side of town. Yes, at an HVAC place they also sold grills and... *drumroll*... SPARKY'S! It was close to closing time, but I was able to get a bottle of the regular and one of the "new" hot version. Hell yeah!
We left south for McCook after a few more pics around town. It was around 6pm when we got into town. I thought about pushing on into Kansas, but I wanted to take pics of McCook and I was cranky and tired. Didn't feel like doing it that evening. Just wanted to get something to eat and crash. Besides, the missus started feeling really bad. You all know her situation so it was best just to spend the night. Woke up the next day and hiked all over downtown. Very nice town. Had some really cool buildings. One building looked like some old government building, but seemed abandoned. That made me sad. I love old buildings. Wish I would have been hungry as I almost stopped in at Sehnert's. From there we headed south to Kansas. It was fun while it lasted!
This is the building I was talking about. What could it have been?
Leaving Nebraska
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