Star-Herald 101 Things To Do In Wyobraska 2011

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101 Things to Do

Star-Herald

Looking for something do, we have it in Wyo-braska For years one of the most common complaints from people is that there is nothing to do in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming.

At the Star-Herald, we don’t believe that so last year we came up with 101 things to do in this region that featured the best places to enjoy outdoor and visitor activities. We promoted the scenic, historic and neighborly venues that make this a special place to visit and to live.

When we set out to put together “101 Things to do in Wyobraska” we knew it wouldn’t take long to come up with a list. But last year we wanted to do more than catalog interesting tourism stops or offer a calendar of events. We decided to focus some of our attention on hidden gems and special must do activities — not “Visit Rushville” but (No. 80) “Have a cheeseburger at Yoba’s Tavern in Rushville.”

This year we have added some new places to supplement some of the ones from the first edition.

And although you’ll find plenty of festivals and tourist stops on this list, we also wanted to highlight some out-of-the-way places, including many that are virtually free except for the gas it takes to get there. They’re the sort of places that it takes time and some exploring to learn about.

Fortunately, our news reporting staff — Katie Bradshaw, Chabella Guzman, Sandra Hansen, Maunette Loeks, Rick Willis, Roger Holsinger and Steve Frederick — spends lots of work and leisure time exploring the Panhandle and eastern Wyoming.

In the course of putting the first list together we asked others for suggestions, we combed our photo files and we spent lots of time traveling around.

Obviously, there are more than 101 things to do around here, so please don’t get mad if one of your favorites isn’t included. The list couldn’t, and doesn’t, include everything, and as we said last year, we plan to make this an annual project.

If you’d like to suggest a scenic site, unusual restaurant, special event or colorful business for future editions, please do. Write up a description of about 150 words, including how to get there, and send it to news@starherald.com or mail it to RO. Box 1709, Scottsbluff, NE 69363.

We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions. And we hope you enjoy your second edition of “101 Things to do in Wyobraska.”

#53 124-year-old Montrose Church

#7 Carhenge

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101 Things to Do

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ities at the trailhead and campground include a graveled parking area, hand water pump, modern accessible vault toilets, fire grates, and picnic tables. An $8 fee is charged for camping at the Trailhead from mid-May to mid-November, no charge for day use. How to Get There: The campground and trailhead are 2½ miles west of Crawford on U.S. Highway 20 to Fort Robinson, then north on Soldier Creek Road for six miles.

Photo by Roger Holsinger

1. Photograph the wonders of Toadstool Park Though a bit remote, Toadstool Geologic Park, located about 18 miles northwest of Crawford, is a wonder for the eyes and worth the drive. The park, located in the Badlands, has towering rock formations said to favor the toadstool in appearance.

Fossil deposits are contained in the sediments of the landscape. An interactive map with specified points will occupy the most curious seekers, with fossilized footprints of rhinos, giant pigs and birds are among the finds to be “discovered.” To reach Toadstool Park, travel five miles north of Crawford on Highway 71, then 13 miles west and northwest on a scenic, but well-marked, road to the park.

2. Take a hike in Soldier Creek Wilderness The Soldier Creek Wilderness is a 7,900-plus acre parcel that was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1986. Part of the Fort Robinson Military Reservation, the area was named for the military personnel who were stationed at nearby Fort Robinson from the Indian Wars to 1949. With an abundance of game and a looping trail system of 17 miles, Soldier Creek is the perfect place to get back to, well, the wilderness. Take binoculars, a camera and your walking stick, as no motorized vehicles or mountain bikes are allowed. Horses are allowed. Facil-

Photo by Katie Bradshaw

3. View the North Platte Valley from atop Scotts Bluff National Monument Get a panoramic view of the North Platte River Valley from atop 800-foot-tall Scotts Bluff National Monument, located in Gering on the north side of Highway 92.

Drive Summit Road to the top of the bluff (open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Memorial Day through third week in August, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the off-season), ride the biodiesel-powered shuttle, or hike the 1.6-mile Saddle Rock Trail (open sunrise to sunset). Keep an eye out for wildflowers and the resident herd of mule deer. Fees: 7-day entry for individual hiker/bicyclist/motorcyclist $3 or vehicle $5; one-year entry bi-park pass $15 or National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass $80.

Information: 308-436-9700.

Oldest Continuing Celebration in Nebraska & most fun weekend of the summer!

Visit our website for more info.

Mon-Sat 9am-5pm Sat 1-5pm 1 mile west of Gering on the way to Scotts Bluff National Monument

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101 Things to Do

Photo by Roger Holsinger

4. Picnic at Oliver Lake State Recreation Area Just 11 minutes west of Kimball on Highway 30, Oliver Lake State Recreation Area offers 917 acres of land and 270 acres of water. With 175 campsites, visitors can enjoy evenings sitting before the campfire and enjoying some summer fun. Two boat ramps and eight docks add some special features for fishers and boaters. The lake supports both coldwater and warmwater species, including walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and rainbow trout. As the only water-based recreation area in the southwest Panhandle, the south side of the lake is maintained in a primitive state for hiking, hunting, and fishing.

5. Cuddle with your sweetie at the Alliance Drive-In There was a time when drive-in theaters were more popular than indoor theaters.

You could load up the family and spend the evening gazing at the stars on the screen and in the sky. There were also a few that tried to sneak a few extra people into the drive-in in the trunk of the car. Unfortunately, the drive-in theater is almost extinct. But not all of them are gone. The Sandhills Drive-In of Alliance offers guests an evening of nostalgic and cinema delight, located three miles southeast of town, off County Road 57, next to the Alliance Municipal Golf Course. Adults and children alike will enjoy the big screen under the stars during the summer while the drive-in is open. For more information, call 308-762-2913.

6. Drive the backroads of the White River Canyon The White River valley offers some of the most picturesque scenery in all of northwest Nebraska. To find it, drive north on Highway 29 from Mitchell until you reach Harrison, then turn east on Highway 20 for eight miles. Turn south on Andrews Road till you reach the valley bottom, then continue east following the river.

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101 Things to Do

At the intersection near the river you’ll encounter the site of Andrews, which grew up around the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad depot built in 1885.

Along the way you’ll see what’s left of the railroad, later named the Chicago Northwestern. Farther along you’ll find Glen, sometimes called a ghost town but still home to a few residents. It once had two stores, two dance halls and two sawmills.

Turn north at the old Glendale Cemetery and you’ll return to Highway 20 near Fort Robinson.

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American Center. The days are a great multi-cultural event for everyone; there are usually three to four generations that gather to take place in the dancing, singing, drumming and storytelling. For more information, contact Panhandle RC&D at 308632-1311.

7. Mark the summer solstice at Carhenge Carhenge was founded upon the lands of a father and a promise to honor him.

Built in 1987, Carhenge gives homage to Stonehenge, the famous monument in the English county of Wiltshire built sometime near 3,100 B.C. Using 38 automobiles in place of the large stones, the replication is uncanny. A 1962 Cadillac is used as the heel stone. Carhenge was built in memorial to Jim Reinders’ father and was slated to be torn down soon after it was built. A citizens’ group “Friends of Carhenge” saved it. The site covers 10 acres and has accepted other art as well, like “Ford Seasons” a play on “The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi. Located in Alliance, the tourist attraction is visited by up to 80,000 people from all over the world each season. It’s located at 2149 County Road 59, northeast of Alliance.

Photo by Katie Bradshaw

9. Relive history at the Robidoux Pass National Historic Landmark Take a scenic loop drive along the old Oregon Trail at Robidoux Pass, which was used from 1843-1851. Go 1 mile south from M Street/Highway 92 in Gering on Five Rocks Road, turn west onto gravel Robidoux Pass Road (open range: watch for cattle). Look for signs for pioneer graves on the north side of the road. A bit further west, an old wagon lies decaying behind a fence. Follow the road as it takes a sharp loop south and turns into Rifle Sight Pass Road. At the T-intersection with Carter Canyon Road, turn east and take a scenic drive through the pine-covered hills to a reproduction of the 1850s Robidoux Trading Post, on the south side of the road. The trading post is not staffed; explore it on your own. Follow the road east to get back to pavement and the intersection with Highway 71.

Photo by Chabella Guzman

8. Listen to the drums at the Intertribal Gathering at Fort Robinson The Annual Intertribal Gathering is usually in the first part of summer at Fort Robinson State Park. The three-day powwow is a cultural event that features dancing, storytelling, food vendors and more than 100 dancers. Many of the dances have been passed down through generations and the dancers have learned them as children. Panhandle RC&D helps pay for the event along with the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Humanities Council and the Chadron Native

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Star-Herald

city, you’ll quickly leave all traces of civilization behind and encounter ancient buffalo country the way it’s been for centuries. The refuge itself consists of more than 45,000 acres of rolling sandhills, the largest continuous sand dune area in America, created from the wind blown sands of an ancient sea. Island Lake is the most popular fishing spot, although several more are being developed. It’s one of 21 lakes and numerous ponds supported by the underlying aquifer. If you don’t fish, watch for numerous turtles and birds, including bald eagles, near the ponds and meadows. You might spot antelope, deer, prairie dogs and maybe a bobcat, beaver or raccoon.

Photo by Steve Frederick

12. Enjoy western Nebraska’s beauty on our Scenic Byways Photo by Roger Holsinger

10. Upgrade your outdoor gear at the original Cabela’s Just north of I-80 in Sidney, Neb., a water tower with Cabela’s scripted on its side rises above the horizon. Below the tower is Cabela’s flagship store — just 30 minutes from where the company started — Chappell, Neb. For many hunters and sportsmen and sportswomen, visiting the store is almost a rite of passage. The 85,000-square-foot showroom houses trophy animals and, of course, hunting and fishing equipment. Browse the store and check out the Bargain Cave, where overstocked and returned items can be had for special prices. At several times during the year, the store holds special events, especially in the fall when the company gears up for the hunting season. To get there, go to Sidney and just look for the water tower.

11. See the splendor of the Sandhills at the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge A trip to the Crescent Lake refuge is a trip back in time. There are several ways to get there, but one of the best is to travel north out of Oshkosh. As you leave the

This one could take you awhile. Of the state’s nine Scenic Byways, five of them touch the Panhandle. You’ve probably driven on some of them. You ought to try them all. The Bridges to Buttes Byway is U.S. 20 from the Wyoming border to Valentine. The Gold Rush follows U.S. 385. The Sandhills Journey follows Highway 2 east of Alliance. Western Trails follows U.S. 26 and Highway 92 from the Wyoming border to Ogallala. The Lincoln Highway Byway follows Highway 30 across the state. All of them include western Nebraska’s scenic splendor, as well as local history on gold rushes, cattle drives, pioneer life and modern-day recreational activities. For details and route maps, see the Nebraska Tourism Division’s website, www.visitnebraska.gov.

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Photo by Roger Holsinger

13. Buy a book for a friend or take a hike at Chimney Rock near Bayard While Chimney Rock might best be known as the halfway point on the Oregon Trail, there is much more to it. For history buffs interested in learning more about the pioneers who traveled the trail or those interested in learning about the history of the natural structure, the gift shop has a very detailed book section. For those wanting to take a hike and walk with the pioneers, wander toward the south side of the monument where at the base is a second monument. Chimney Rock is located south of Bayard along Highway 92.

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17. Buy a painting at the West Nebraska Arts Center The West Nebraska Arts Center, 106 E. 18th St., began as one of 68 Carnegie Libraries in Nebraska funded by famed industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Built to be Scottsbluff’s first public library in 1921-22, it was expanded with funding from the Works Progress Administration in 1936, and it served book borrowers until 1966, when it became the focal point of the area’s visual arts community. Today the center hosts monthly exhibits in a spacious, modern gallery, with public receptions, usually free, for exhibiting artists. Many of the works are for sale, with proceeds helping to fund the center’s other activities, which include children’s theater and educational opportunities. The West Nebraska Arts Center is operated by a non-profit organization supported by national and state arts organizations, a board of directors, a professional staff, dedicated volunteers, and a membership of generous businesses and individuals.

Photo by Roger Holsinger

14. Walk in the footsteps of the pioneers at Courthouse and Jail Rocks Want to explore a pair of famous landmarks along the Oregon Trail? Then head two miles south of Bridgeport on Highway 88 near the Bridgeport Golf Course. Courthouse and Jail Rocks served an important role during the westward migration. Adjacent to the Oregon-California Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express Trail and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail, the pair of rocks was some of the first seen by those travelers as they moved into the more mountainous areas of the trek. Further down the trail those same travelers would encounter Chimney Rock and the rugged areas around Scotts Bluff. The rocks rise some 400 feet above the North Platte Valley and were often described in early diaries as castles or resembling a solitary tower.

15. Enjoy a movie and popcorn at the classic Nile Theater At the Nile Theater in Mitchell, moviegoers often get the best seat in the house. For some visitors, the best seat means sitting in the balcony, where you might see some canoodling, but most of all, you’ll enjoy the movie. The nostalgia of the experience, as well as the antiques displayed at the quaint theater, offer a classic experience that you don’t get at today’s multi-plexes. At 1432 Center Avenue in Mitchell, the Nile Theater offers movies on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday at 4 p.m.

16. Experience what immigrants felt as they walked in the Oregon Trail Ruts

18. Eat a Tin Roof Sundae in Potter

Walk in the tracks left by immigrants heading for a better life in the West at the Oregon Trail Ruts two miles south of Guernsey, Wyo. Carved into the hard rock hills by passing wagons, the deep gashes in the sandstone are visual reminders of the difficult road pioneers traveled during their four to six month trip across the western half of the North American continent in the 1800s. The pioneers took the route over the top of the hills because the lowlands around the base were often boggy because of the North Platte River. Some ruts are visible along the county road between Fort Laramie National Historic Site and the Guernsey location, notably at the Old Bedlam Ruts west of the fort.

Every small town in this region has a story to tell if you take the time to look. The small town of Potter is no different and while the town of just about 400 people is known for a few things, the Tin Roof Sundae at the Potter Sundry has made Potter a must-see for many travelers. The Tin Roof consists of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, chocolate ice cream, marshmallow cream and nuts on top. The treat comes in three sizes: mini, medium and large. If you think you can eat a large, you better not have eaten all day. The sundry in located in downtown Potter at 324 Chestnut Street. Call 308-879-4548 to get the full scoop.

Photo by Roger Holsinger

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101 Things to Do

19. Go garage-saling all day during the annual Treasure Trek Bargain-hunters can search, and even maybe haggle, to their hearts delight during the annual Treasure Trek, held each June. The trek brings together shoppers and those who want to sell their wares at yard sales, garage sales and antique and collectible shops in the communities of Alliance, Chadron, Chappell, Hyannis and Potter. Other area communities are expected to join the fold as well.

20. Find a gem and have a beverage Two of Mitchell’s newest businesses are conveniently located at the same location. The Coffee Cabin and Pick’n Hammer are both located at 1927 Broadway.

The Pick’n Hammer offers visitors the unique opportunity to search through the gift and rock shop. The store offers jewelry, clothing, handmade local jewelry, original art, gems and minerals, stone carving, iron art and fossils. This is their third year in business and it offers something for everyone. After finding a gem, walk next door to the Coffee Cabin for a wide variety of beverages ranging from Espresso, coffees, Italian Sodas to a candy bar in a cup, served hot or cold. It also offers breakfast and lunch items served all day. Make sure to ask about their soup of the day. For more information call the Pick’n Hammer at 308-623-1000 or the Coffee Cabin at 308-623-1400.

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riety of theme nights. Tuesday is Mexican night with fajitas and margaritas; Wednesday is hamburger night where all their burgers are half off and for the nonthemed eater there is always a range of family favorites from chicken fried steak to salads. For more information, call 307-245-3111.

24. Honor agriculture at Farmers Day in Kimball Though Kimball had its origins in the railroad — named after railroad official Thomas L. Kimball — its roots have always been in agriculture. The community’s dedication to its agricultural roots can be seen every fall in the community celebration of Farmers Day. The celebration began 84 years ago, bringing together farmers, their families and the community at the end of harvest. Over the years, it has grown into a community celebration held each September. A parade, in which local farmers and homesteaders are recognized, a hamburger feed and more make this an annual celebration that is easy to enjoy.

21. Olde Main Street Inn in Chadron Built by the O’Hanlon family in 1890, the elegant Chadron House was adorned with Brussels and marble washstands in each room and has been run by three generations of innkeepers for more than 100 years. Today the structure serves as a Bed and Breakfast. When the O’Hanlon family undertook to build the elegant Chadron House in the late 1800s, they spared no expense. A portion of the gold and green wallpaper covered with gazebos, sailing ships and flora remains today and each of the rooms has marble washstands in them. To make reservations, call 308-432-3380. Rates include a breakfast served at the guest’s convenience.

22. Learn about the Old West at Boot Hill cemetery and Camp Lookout in Sidney The history that lies beneath Boot Hill Cemetery, constructed in 1868, tells the Sidney community’s long stories of its Wild West. The cemetery served as the final resting place for soldiers dying in gun battles at Fort Sidney as it served as a major outpost for the U.S. Army. As the town grew, becoming known by monikers such as “The Toughest Town on the Tracks.” After gold was discovered in the Black Hills, Sidney became a stopover. Some tough characters, including gold-robbing criminals and others, are said to be buried in the Sidney cemetery. Generally they were buried with their boots on, hence the name Boot Hill. The cemetery was abandoned in 1898. The nearby Camp Lookout, the oldest building in Sidney and perhaps the entire Panhandle, also takes visitors back to the history of Sidney’s past, having housed soldiers and railroad workers.

23. Stick a fork into a steak at the Rock Ranch restaurant in Pine Bluffs, Wyo. Across the Wyoming-Nebraska state line is Rock Ranch Grill, located at 711 Parsons Street in Pine Bluffs. It’s one of the best places to eat, according to locals. The grill has a Western décor and is a great place for families and friends to enjoy an evening meal. The grill is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. It features a va-

Photo by Roger Holsinger

25. Get face to face with wildlife at Fort Robinson near Crawford One of the most scenic areas of the state is located about a mile west of Crawford on Highway 20. Fort Robinson not only offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the role the fort played throughout history but also offers visitors to get up close and personal with the wildlife in that area. Whether its on horseback on a trail ride or from a jeep, the park offers many opportunities to view wildlife. In addition, the park also offers a one-of-a-kind viewing at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, which includes the fossils of two large bull mammoths whose tusks locked together during an Ice Age battle. Fort Robinson has regular hours Memorial Day through Labor Day and limited hours through the rest of the year. Call 308-6652900 for more information.

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26. Quack at a duck in the Kiowa Wetlands near 28. Open your eyes at the Blue J Iris Fields Mitchell Blue J Iris farm in Alliance has over 5,000 varieties of iris to view over seven Kiowa Wildlife Management Area, located on the south side of the North Platte River south of Morrill, consists of 506 acres of wildlife habitat. When water is plentiful, WMA is filled with waterfowl and other marshland critters. The refuge area is easily identified as it is separated from the upland area by an irrigation canal.

Kiowa wetland area is created by seepage from the Gering Fort Laramie Irrigation Canal and has been a very important salt and fresh water marsh providing nesting opportunity as well as resting and feeding area for both spring and fall migrating ducks, geese and shore birds. The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission manages the area providing hunting opportunity for dove, pheasant, rabbit and waterfowl.

Kiowa, the namesake of the tribe of Native Americans who lived and hunted the land, is the first wildlife project undertaken by Platte River Basin Environments. To get there, go south of Morrill on South Morrill Road.

acres. The farm was started about 10 years ago as a personal collection and just ‘grew.’ Be sure to call ahead as the blooming season is only a month long, from the end of May to the first of June. If you don’t hit the field at the top of the blooming season, it can be a disappointing trip. So call ahead for information on when the iris will be in bloom. People can order iris while visiting or log on to BlueJayIris.com.

The farm is at 955 Cody Avenue in Alliance. Call 308-762-4420.

Photo by Roger Holsinger

29. See hundreds of humps at the old Sioux Army Depot near Sidney As you drive south on Highway 385 between Gurley and Sidney, if you look to the west you will probably see a number of “humps” in the distance. The Sioux Army Depot was constructed in 1942 for storage and the handling of tons of military equipment and ammunition. Those concrete mounds, also known as storage igloos, were used during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Many of the 800 igloos still exist, but are now used by private individuals as home and grain storage units. The depot covered 36 square miles and was operational for 25 years. Several of the buildings still exist and much of the area serves as an industrial site, but the property is accessible. While heading south on Highway 385, turn west on Road 32 for about two miles and then north on Road 109 for about a mile. The igloos will be on both sides of the road. Some areas are open to the public; other areas have private drives.

Photo by Chabella Guzman

27. Pay your respects at the Nebraska State Veterans Cemetery in Alliance Nebraska’s State Veteran Cemetery in Alliance is located on 20 acres three miles east of town near the Alliance airport. It is landscaped with grasses, bushes and trees that are native to the area and reflect the prairie of western Nebraska. The area houses an administration building and memorial guardsmen will be available to scatter ashes in the memorial garden. A committal shelter that resembles a church sanctuary is available for graveside services. The crypts are underground and veteran’s spouses will also have space in the crypt so they can be together. The area’s open space and rustic beauty is a peaceful and serene resting place for our veterans. For more information, call 308-762-1520 or visit www.alliancechamber.com.

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30. Take a gander at the gallery at the Carnegie Arts Center in Alliance The Carnegie Arts Center was originally built to house the Carnegie Library in 1911. In 1980 it was condemned, but in 1993 it was renovated by a group of artists and reopened as the arts center. The center has three separate galleries, Skala Gallery, Garwood Gallery and Studio Gallery. They also host workshops and events at the gallery and have a Sculpture Garden. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 308-762-4571 or visit the website at www.carnegieartscenter.com.

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paddleboats and take a cruise around the pond located near the entrance of the park. The park is located nine miles south of Chadron on Highway 385 and covers 972 acres in the heart of the Nebraska National Forest. For those not wanting to “rough” it, the park offers 22-two bedroom, housekeeping cabins from mid April to mid November. But call early for reservations as the cabins fill quickly. For those traveling in campers, the park offers 70 pads all with 30 amp electrical hookups.

For more information, call 308-432-6167.

32. See bunches of bones at the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill Site near Crawford Ten thousand years ago, long before Crazy Horse, armed with stone tools, a band of Paleo Indians slaughtered 600 bison. Today, the area known as the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center, is 18 miles northwest of Crawford, near Toadstool Park. Visitors feel the spirit of the early hunters at the world’s largest known Alberta Culture Bison Kill. An enclosure was built over a portion of the bone bed, and now visitors tour the facility, discovering the mysterious world of the early North American bison hunters. For information, go to www.hudson-meng.org.

Photo by Roger Holsinger

31. Paddle in a pond at Chadron State Park The western end of the state is often described as one of its most majestic areas, and that is proven true with a trip to Chadron State Park. The beauty of the Pine Ridge forms the backdrop for this great getaway that offers visitors the opportunity to hike, bicycle, camp, fish, and explore. If your legs are up to it, rent one of the

Photo by Roger Holsinger

33. Learn about the Pony Express at Mud Springs near Dalton One of the most scenic stops on the Pony Express in this region is the Mud Springs Station located northwest of Dalton along Highway 385. The station is located approximately three miles west of Highway 385; just follow the signs. The

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natural spring provided thirsty horses and riders a place to grab some food and a fresh horse. As you walk around the grounds of the station, keep an eye out for arrowheads, as a number of conflicts between Native Americans and personnel at the station occurred regularly. When the site was operational and fully the staffed, a number of sod buildings were located in the area, however, today, all that remains is a marker, and the calls of the meadowlark and bullfrog.

34. Relax where the wagon trains rested at Ash Hollow At this point, the Oregon Trail came over the divide from the Platte River to the North Platte River, the next leg of the journey to Oregon or California. The steep incline of Windlass Hill ended in a natural rest area, Ash Hollow, with fresh water and a chance to rest yourself, your animals and to make repairs to the wagons. For the next 185 miles, follow the trail to the first civilized outpost in the pre-settlement era, Fort Laramie, now a national historic site about 65 miles west of Scottsbluff in Wyoming. A sod house, 100-year old stone school house, walking path, and seasonal visitor center are included. Information on Ash Hollow State Park, 308-7785651.

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of Kimball County looks more like a rise in the pasture, but the view can be well worth the trek. On a clear day, the climb is touted for its views of the Rocky Mountains to the southwest. Of course, enjoying the peacefulness of the Nebraska prairie can be a transcendental experience. The highest point has been marked since 1971, and the Kimball-Banner County Chamber of Commerce even offers GPS coordinates for those high-tech travelers: N 41 degrees 00.461 minutes W 104 degrees 01.883 minutes. For those of us looking for specific directions, travel from Kimball on Interstate 80 to Bushnell interchange. Exit and turn south onto Road 17 and travel south for 10 miles to Road 8. On Road 8, you will travel west 4.2 miles to road 9, where you will go south one mile to Road 6. On Road 6, you will go west for two miles to Road 5. On Road 5, you will travel south to a pasture trail, and Panorama Point is only a short jaunt away. Follow the trail west for about one mile and then northward to Panorama Point.

Photo by Roger Holsinger Photo by Roger Holsinger

35. Stand atop Nebraska’s highest hill at Panorama Point You won’t need special climbing tools to reach Nebraska’s highest point, Panoroma Point. At 5,424 feet above sea level, this point located in the extreme southwest corner

36. Sing a campfire song at the Oregon Trail Wagon Train Whether it’s a canoe adventure on the North Platte River, a wagon ride in the ruts of the Oregon Trail, sharing a song around a campfire or a thick, mouth-watering steak, the Oregon Trail Wagon Train has a lot to offer visitors. The restaurant and

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campground is located in the shadow of Chimney Rock just off Highway 92; just follow the signs. While you wait for your ribeye steak dinner and sourdough bread, explore the campgrounds, take a walk down by the river or try your hand at a game of horseshoes. After dinner, gather around the campfire for a sing-along while enjoying a serving of homemade ice cream. To make a dinner reservation or for more information, call 308-586-1850.

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to the public and you can climb the stairs to the top for a unique view of the lake and valley. To get there, take Highway 26 to Minatare, turn north on County Road 30 and follow the signs to Lake Minatare.

38. Who dunnit? It’s murder to get a table at Gander Inn What better place to plan for a murder than Gander Inn in Lewellen. Groups of eight or 10 can get together for dinner and a murder mystery at the lodge. Chose a menu, choose a date and choose a murder mystery script from the website and you’re on your way to a great night’s intrigue. It’s best to plan the event weeks in advance, to get into character for the evening. Scripts are sent to participants in advance of the evening. There are numerous accommodations at the Inn’s lodge, retreat, motel and cottage facilities. Weddings and family reunions are welcome. Personal attention is a specialty. http://www.ganderinn.net/murder-mysteries Call 308778-5616.

39. Jerry’s Work and Western An icon in Alliance, Art & Jerry’s Boot Shop has been moved across the way to 307 Box Butte and renamed. The store is a hybrid, old school that resembles a general store that’s family and customer-friendly. Special items, like vintage belt buckles and nicknacks that were hidden in the merchandise mix are now easy to find. The store’s been around for almost 100 years. A shoe and boot repair shop is set to open sometime in 2011. Call 308-762-1725.

40. Enjoy wetlands and waterfowl at Stateline Island near Henry One of the best places to enjoy the North Platte River in its natural splendor — and one of the area’s best-kept secrets — is Stateline Island near Henry.

The area includes 130 acres of riparian river frontage, meadow and wetland.

Towering cottonwoods and dense willow trees along the river are home to deer, turkeys, migrating waterfowl and bald eagles. It’s part of the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, which also includes Winters Creek Lake, Lake Alice, and portions of Lake Minatare. The refuge was established in 1916, as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds. More than 200 bird species have been observed on the Refuge. The area is open year-round, during daylight hours only. Bring binoculars or a camera to watch nesting birds from a distance. To get there from U.S. Highway 26 at Henry, travel south on Holloway Road for about a mile to the entrance parking area.

Photo by Roger Holsinger

37. Climb the lighthouse steps at Lake Minatare The Lake Minatare Lighthouse is located on a peninsula on Lake Minatare 15 miles northeast of Scottsbluff. The lighthouse is located on the western shore of the lake on the grounds of the campsites. The 55-foot tower was built by the Veterans Conservation Corps in 1939, some say because the men had nothing else to do.

Designed as a combination shelter house and observation tower, it was built to simulate a lighthouse. According to Scotts Bluff County Tourism, it is one of only seven inland lighthouses in the United States. The 55-foot stone structure is open

532-4108 •

1936 Main, Torrington

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Photo by Katie Bradshaw

43. Enjoy an old-fashioned parade during Oregon Trail Days

Photo by Maunette Loeks

41. Dig the potatoes at the Farm And Ranch Museum The Farm and Ranch Museum in Gering helps visitors take a trip in the agriculture past. The Farm and Ranch Museum offers hands-on activities for the family, especially during its annual Harvest Festival, which this year will be celebrated Sept. 19 and 20, when harvesting your own potatoes is a favorite activity for area youth. The museum features a look at High Plains agriculture of the past, featuring exhibits on producing sugar beets, dry beans, and potatoes, ranching, irrigation, dryland farming and conservation tillage. During the summer, the museum is open Mon. through Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. The museum also hosts a number of other demonstrations of agricultural practices and events throughout the season.

42. Roar with the lions at the Riverside Discovery Center Riverside Zoo is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and while some things have recently changed at the facility, the Riverside Discovery Center offers visitors the opportunity to see and even touch wildlife. Some of the main exhibits at the zoo include two African lions, named Zeus and Apollo, who came to the zoo in 2002.

The two brothers are just one example of exotic animals that call the 23-acre Scottsbluff facility home. In January of 2009, two Amur tigers, named Nika and Lana, were added to the collection. In addition to the zoo, a natural history museum (Wildlife World) featuring mounted animals from around the world is planned to become part of the facility along with a Children’s Museum. For more information and hours of operation, call 308-630-6236.

Participate in a generations-old tradition and attend the Oregon Trail Days parade in Gering. Oregon Trail Days celebrates the pioneering spirit of the region’s early settlers. There are plenty of activities during the week, but the parade has been a popular part of the celebration since the 1920s. To reserve a coveted seat in the shade along 10th Street, plan to arrive early. Regular parade-goers begin claiming spots at 7 a.m. for the 10 a.m. parade. When the parade is over, stay to check out the other Saturday festival events. Visit the Oregon Trail Days website for information, www.oregontraildays.com.

44. Re-energize and relax at the Barn Anew bed-and-breakfast Barn Anew is located on the Oregon Trail and is owned by adventurers Cher and Allan Maybee, both who have ridden the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails on horseback. The 1840s saw the Oregon Trail, California Trail and the legendary Pony Express Trail snake through Mitchell Pass and past the site of the barn. Cher and Allan are writers and lecturers of trail history and adventure and are always willing to share their unique stories. Native American Artwork from intricate beadwork to pictures painted on canvas and buffalo hide is on display. A music parlor sports a working player piano and several old crank Victrolas. Rooms include the Rendevous Room, where guests play checkers, read books or relax with the beautiful view of the west side of Scotts Bluff National Monument and Mitchell Pass. For the adventuresome, there is a restored 100-year old Sheepwagon to bed down in. It’s at 170549 County Road L, Mitchell; (308) 632-8647.

45. Gobble at a wild turkey at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center The Wildcat Hills Nature Center, a two-story educational facility located at the entrance to the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, includes a two-story ponderosa pine replica and murals by local artist Mary Hunt. Inside the center are mounts of indigenous hawks, eagles and owls. In the lower level is a diorama of mammals, including the recently re-introduced bighorn sheep, Canada lynx, bobcat and smaller mammals. There is also an aquarium of local fish and a live beehive, as well as many interactive educational displays. An annual children’s day camp is held there each summer. Fossil collections on loan from the University of Nebraska include

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Loren Eiseley’s Innocent Assassins, sabertooth cats from 25 million years ago – one’s fang remains, in death, imbedded in the scapula of the other. To get there, go 10 miles south of Gering on state Highway 71 and look for the entrance at the top of the hill.

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Theater in Scottsbluff. On March 5, 1945, the Egyptian Theater (site of Midwest Theater) was destroyed by a fire. The fire gave the owner, William H. Ostenberg Jr., the opportunity to build a grand theater for Scottsbluff. The fire-gutted theater was replaced in just over a year with the New Midwest Theater. Charles D. Strong, a prominent Denver architect, was hired to draw the design plans for the new theater.

The Midwest Theater was opened on May 3, 1946. During recent years the theater has gone through an extensive renovation and today offers visitors an opportunity to see a Hollywood film, a locally produced play; music concerts and even political debates. The theater is located in downtown Scottsbluff.

Photo by Sandra Hansen

47. Enjoy a slab of prime rib at the Pink Palace in McGrew Pink palaces are usually associated with fairy princesses, but McGrew has its own version, which serves the community in a variety of ways. The Pink Palace — McGrew Lounge can be seen from Highway 92, so it draws a lot of curiosity seekers who receive a friendly welcome. Open seven days a week, the Pink Palace is open 11 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2-9 p.m., Sundays. Prime rib and rib eye steaks are featured on Fridays, and in the fall, barbecued ribs are on Saturday’s menu. A large room is available for special gatherings. For more information on this regional favorite, call 308-788-1055.

Smoothie flavors are mango/pineapple, strawberry/banana or wild berry

Photo by Roger Holsinger

Frappé flavors are caramel or mocha

46. Watch one of Hollywood’s best films at the Historic Midwest Theater While many small towns have lost their once grand theaters, other communities have taken measures to preserve the history. One of those is the Historic Midwest

Expires 9-10-11

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Only original newspaper coupon accepted.

ND ND

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48. Read the words of pioneers at the North Platte Valley Museum Take a peek at the lives of early area settlers through the “windows” of their original “soddy” and log homes located at the North Platte Valley Museum in Gering.

Inside the museum, photographs, diaries and other artifacts and mementoes depict the progress of the local communities as they marched from buffalo chip fires to thermal heating systems found in today’s homes. Rotating exhibits include the current Boy Scouts of America display, which concludes at the end of September.

For the history “nuts,” the Paul and Helen Henderson Oregon Trail Collection is located in the Western History Archives. Information, 308-436-5411, visit www.npvm.org.

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account: “Those who have been brave enough and strong enough to endure a glance at him say that his flashing green eyes spit fire, that with a head like a huge oil barrel, he looks like something one sees in a very bad dream, and that the least movement of his big pointed ears causes a tempest on the lake.” The state Game and Parks information omits any useful information about how to catch it but mentions black bullheads, bluegills, largemouth bass, walleyes, white crappies and yellow perch. Walgren also contains some monster northern pike. Heavy vegetation usually limits fishing in late summer. To get there, go about three miles east of Hay Springs on U.S. 20 and turn south. Follow the signs.

Photo by Katie Bradshaw

50. Marvel at the talents of Native Americans at Agate Fossil Beds View the artifacts of an unusual relationship between Native Americans and early settlers at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. At a time when settler-Native American interactions were often antagonistic, Chief Red Cloud and the Oglala Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne presented gifts to rancher James Cook in friendship. The artifacts on display at the visitor center include Red Cloud’s shirt, three generations of pipebags (one belonging to Red Cloud, his father and his son) and one of Crazy Horse’s whetstones. Admission is free. Visitor center and museum, located east of Highway 29 (22 miles south of Harrison or 34 miles north of Mitchell), is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the rest of the year. Information: 308-668-2211.

Photo by Steve Frederick

49. Troll for a monster at Walgren Lake near Hay Springs Local legend tells of a dinosaur-like monster dwelling in the depths of Walgren Lake that developed an appetite for Sandhills beef — on the hoof. According to one

51. Visit Victory Hill Farm Goat Dairy in Scottsbluff Victory Hill Farm is continuing to expand its dairy operation. The dairy is expanding to add a certified kitchen and has an on-site shop to buy hand-made cheese, goat meat or locally produced goods. VHF also has the coveted farmstead designation for its artisan goat cheese. There are viewing areas for the cheese-making room and milking barn.

Call ahead, even the day before, as the farm store doesn’t have regular hours and the

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owners are at farmer’s markets. Goats do have regular hours, however, as they get milked each day at 5 a.m. Call 308-630-0530or visit www.vhfarm.com.

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54. Catch up on the news at Sioux County Museum Read up on news from copies of the Sioux County Journal dated from 1892. Shake the jars of rattles from rattlesnake hunts of past. Or, just tour the historical exhibits in the Original Town Post Office, One Room Log School House and the Newspaper office in downtown Harrison. The main museum office was built next to historical buildings to enhance the displays. A must-see for western Nebraska history. Open May 31Oct. 1 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Free admission.

55. See what life was like in the Old West at Dobby’s Frontier Town Dobby’s Frontier Town, 320 E. 25th St., Alliance, is an anchor in the city as a tourism and educational draw. Dobby’s is the culmination of decades of collecting tools, pictures, bank records, store items and equipment that could be found in any western town, farm, or ranch from the late 1800s to the 1960s. Check out the charming replica town for a taste of the past, from Robert Anderson’s cabin (first black homesteader in Nebraska) to the reconstruction of the first Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alliance. For more information, 308-762-1520 or www.alliancechamber.com.

56. Learn about prairie wildflowers at the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center Photo by Steve Frederick

52. Battle a bluegill at Smith Lake The Sandhills country in Sheridan County is dotted with dozens of lakes and potholes fed by a large aquifer. Many of the lakes are on private property or are too alkaline for fish. A notable exception is Smith Lake. A state wildlife management area, the 225-acre lake is located about midway between Lakeside and Rushville on Highway 250. It has great fishing, picnic areas and some primitive campsites on the south side of the lake. Species include crappie, largemouth bass, yellow perch and northern pike. Like many Sandhills lakes it also sports a healthy population of large bluegills. The lake is surrounded by marsh and grasslands and also provides excellent bird-watching opportunities. No park permit is required to enter.

Mari Susette Sandoz, novelist, biographer, lecturer and teacher, was born near Hay Springs on May 11, 1896, and passed away on March 10, 1966. The Marie Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center celebrates one of Nebraska’s foremost authors, who wrote extensively about pioneer life and Plains Indians. The High Plains Heritage Center focuses on the High Plains through the acquisition, preservation, display, and interpretation of archival materials, records, documents, books, specimens and artifacts of this region. The exhibit looks at the topics of her writing using her personal experience.

The Coffee Gallery exhibit, dedicated to the history of cattle ranching on the High Plains, is the newest of the exhibit spaces and is still in development. The center is located on the campus of Chadron State College; call 308-432-6401 for details.

57. Visit a frontier trading post at the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron The Museum of the Fur Trade combines an outstanding collection and scholarship to interpret the story of the fur trade. Exhibits explain the importance of the fur

53. Visit 124-year-old Montrose Church on the Sioux County back roads If you look at a detailed map of Nebraska’s Sioux County, you’ll see the town of Montrose marked. If you take the Toadstool Park turnoff of Highway 2/71 near the South Dakota border, turn west across the railroad tracks, and follow the zig-zagging gravel road south and west, you’ll arrive at Montrose, or, rather, what used to be Montrose. All that remains of the community is a sign, an abandoned house and a well-maintained hilltop church and cemetery. The 1887 Montrose Church is still in use, as is the cemetery. Walk through the cemetery gate (make sure to close it again when you leave!), and investigate the gravestones of the German-speaking Catholics who settled the area. Just make sure to keep an eye (and ear) out: As the sign on the cemetery gate warns, there are rattlesnakes in the churchyard.

Showing Nightly at 7:30PM & Sunday Matinees

Wyoming Theatre Two Torrington, WY

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trade and how it developed from early colonial days to the present century. The museum also follows the lives of British, French, and Spanish traders, voyageurs, mountain men, professional buffalo hunters, and typical Plains and Woodland Indians. Exhibits include the entire range of trade goods, including munitions, cutlery, axes, firearms, textiles, costumes, paints, and beads. Nearly 50 years later, it has become an institution whose collections and research are known and respected worldwide. The museum is located three miles east of Chadron on U. S. Highway 20. For hours of operation and more information, call 308-432-3843.

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ty has four. You can read about history at the place it happened and look at a landscape that eyes of history viewed many years ago. The Horse Creek Treaty, Narcissa Whitman, Coffee Siding and the Golden Link have markers and are events significant to the founding and the progression of a territory to statehood and prosperity. How to find makers: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/markers/texts/.

59. Sample life in a sheep wagon Want to get away from it all? Really, really away? With no television, no Internet access and no cell phone reception? Get a taste of the simpler shepherd’s life and stay in an authentic sheepwagon at Sheepwagon Hideouts on the RuJoDen ranch near Chadron in the scenic Pine Ridge of northwest Nebraska. The sheepwagons are located a quarter-mile to a mile hike from the closest automobile access. Go for a hike, birdwatch or just sit under a tree and read a book. Hosts Jim and Lora O’Rourke are degree-holding rangeland scientists and happy to talk about historical land use and sustainable use of rangeland. Information: 308-432-5954 or www.sheepwagonhideouts.com.

60. Fish walleyes through the ice at Whitney Lake Whitney Lake has been around for nearly a century, formed when irrigators in the Whitney area who had taken water from the White River decided to create a more comprehensive irrigation system. In December 1921 the issue was put to voters and passed, making the front page in the first issue of the Dawes County News. Today the 900-acre lake, located about a mile and a half west of Whitney, just off U.S. 20, boasts channel catfish, crappie, walleye, white bass and yellow perch. The Nebraska Game and Parks Ice Fishing Guides lists Whitney as being one of the best lakes in the state for catching walleyes through the ice. It’s a shallow lake and access is limited, although there’s a public boat ramp on the southeast corner of the lake.

61. Go bird watching at the Metcalf State Wildlife Management Area near Hay Springs In the western-most part of the Panhandle, with an area of 3,068 acres, is Metcalf State Wildlife Management Area. A bird-watching paradise, the WMA has typical Pine Ridge habitat, mostly pine-covered with some open grasslands. Pineadapted species that are common in the Black Hills occur only in the northwestern corner of Nebraska, such as Lewis’s Woodpecker, Pinyon Jay, Dark-eyed Junco, Western Tanager, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Swainson’s Thrush, Plumbeous Vireo and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Just on the edge of the Sandhills, puddles can catch migrating waterfowl. There are no camping facilities. The area is located 9.5 miles north and 0.5 mile east of Hay Springs.

Photo by Roger Holsinger

58. Get history on the go at the region’s wayside markers Small cutouts next to the state highways yield big dividends — if you’ll only take the two minutes to stop and read the wayside markers that are put up to teach travelers the history of Nebraska. Scotts Bluff County has six markers; Morrill County has seven; Box Butte County has five; Cheyenne County has 10; and Sioux Coun-

62. Buy a pair of spurs at Morgan’s Cowpoke Haven in Ellsworth Just to the south of Mari Sandoz’ ranch is the town of Ellsworth. The Spade Ranch Store was new then and as the story goes Sandoz would wait there to catch the mail wagon. Today it’s owned by Wade Morgan and features western memorabilia, some old and some new, including Native American artifacts.

You can buy spurs ($49.95), tack and guns. Sundries are stacked mercantile style.

There’s iced coffee in the fridge. Ice-cream, ice and tobacco are in the freezer. The store is at the southern tip of the old Spade Ranch, which had more than 500,000 acres in 1900. To get there take Highway 385 north to Alliance, east on Highway 2

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and turn north over railroad tracks. The store is approximately 88 miles from Scottsbluff.

Photo by Chabella Guzman

65. Get in your licks at Platte Valley Creamery in Scottsbluff

Photo by Roger Holsinger

63. Play a round of golf in the middle of nowhere Par for the course is negotiable in Nebraska, as there are over 60 nine-hole golf courses, including several in western Nebraska, including Chimney Rock in Bayard and Court House And Jail Rock Golf Course in Bridgeport. The Legend Butte Golf Course in Crawford offers 3,178 yards of golf, par 36; Morrill has the Rolling Greens Golf Club; 9 holes over 3,049 yards with a par of 36; and Mitchell has Scenic Knolls which measures 3,261 from the medium tees. If you’re running short on patience, head to the Prairie Vines Golf Course in Potter near Sidney. The volunteer-maintained local course is only a par 26, so a personal best is achievable.

Of course, it only runs seven holes.

64. Spin yourself a birdie at Riverside Park’s disc golf course Tired of playing catch with a Frisbee? Want to try something new? Take your flying discs over to Scottsbluff’s Riverside Park. Behind the zoo, across from the Trails West YMCA Camp, you’ll find the first hole of the nine-hole Pioneer Disc Golf course. See if you can get your disc in each chain basket “hole” in “par” throws or fewer.You are welcome to bring your own discs, or you can check out a basic set of putting and driving discs at Riverside Zoo for $2. Borrowed discs must be returned before 5 p.m. Zoo staff, who are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., can also provide a map of the course. Information: 308-630-6236.

The Platte Valley Creamery is a favorite ice cream stop for many locals and visitors. Located at 1005 E. Overland in Scottsbluff, the creamery has a variety of more than 20 flavors of ice cream ranging from vanilla and chocolate to champagne sherbet. The creamery makes the ice cream on site and offer cones, dishes, malts, and a variety of candies, and soft drinks. The building was built in the 1930s, and Ron Smith has been the owner of the creamery for over 25 years. For more information, call 308-632-4225.

66. Step inside a “soddy” at the Banner County Museum Among the 11 structures included in the Banner County Museum complex, you’ll find the old Banner County Bank, as well as a pioneer church and a 1910 barn. The church building not only holds a wide range of exhibits, it also is used as a meeting place for the small rural community. Located about 20 miles south of Scottsbluff, the hamlet once was an economic center for ranchers and dryland wheat growers.

Irrigated crops are now part of the local landscape, with the advent of pivot sprinklers, and other new irrigation methods. Open Sundays, 2-5 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day, and by appointment. Call 308-436-4514.

67. Recall “The Toughest Town on the Tracks” during Sidney’s Gold Rush Days The days of the Wild, Wild West is an adventure the City of Sidney recreates the second Saturday of June. The annual Gold Rush Days celebration will take crowds back to 1867, when gold was discovered in the Black Hills and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail served as the shortest route to get to the fields. With military outposts, Indian agencies and Sidney serving as a trailhead for cattle drives, the town earned “The Toughest Town on the Tracks” moniker by attracting some not-so-welcome characters, gunfights and fistfights. During this year’s celebration, Gold Rush Days featured a treasure hunt, mountain man camp, log cutting, wagon rides and

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even entertainment from Native American dancers and a barbershop quartet for a connection to the past.

Photo by Katie Bradshaw

69. Walk your dog on the Monument Valley Pathways Take a leisurely stroll along the Monument Valley Pathway next to the North Platte

Photo by Maunette Loeks

68. Eat a piece of pie at Crawford’s High Plains Homestead Stop by an Old West town recreated with period buildings and sip a sasparilla at the Dirty Creek Saloon or munch a meal at the High Plains Cookshack. The Cookshack features homemade pies, bread and rolls, as well as its Indian Taco that was featured on the Food Network, among other fare. Lunch is served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., dinner 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Evening meals Monday through Thursday are open menu.

Friday and Saturday nights feature steak, ribs or salmon. Sunday night is family open-pit grill burger night, including a buffalo burger option from meat raised on the premises. To get there, travel north on Highway 2/71 from Crawford, turn west on Toadstool Road and turn west on Sand Creek Road. (Note: Toadstool Road may be impassible in wet weather.) Reservations encouraged, and required for Friday/Saturday evenings. For more information, log onto www.highplainshomestead.com or call 308-665-2592.

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River in Scottsbluff and watch the sun set over Scotts Bluff National Monument.

The paved pathway stretches 1.88 miles west from the YMCA parking lot to the sand pit lake west of Riverside Zoo. Several benches along the path provide opportunities to have a rest, and picnic tables are available near the west and east ends of the pathway, as well as near the Riverside Park parking area. Parking is available in the YMCA lot, to the west of the Boy Scout building at the intersection of Broadway/10th Street and South Beltline Highway, and in Riverside Park. If you’ve brought your dog, let your pet off leash for a while inside the dog park in Riverside Park. For a longer walk or bike ride, follow the pathway south over the Broadway/10th Street bridge and connect to paths through Terrytown, Scotts Bluff National Monument and Gering.

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lived in the grasslands of the high plains and two Columbian mammoths locked together for all time. At the Wildcat Hills south of Scottsbluff two saber tooth cats remain intertwined in death at the nature center. Wrap up the Fossil Freeway excursion at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Colorado. Families can see a diorama of animals as they might have lived 10,000 years ago on the grasslands that rolled out of the Rockies all the way to the Sand hills of Nebraska. Log on to http://fossilfreeway.net/.

Photo by Sandra Hansen

72. Enjoy any season with the spirits of past visitors to Fort Laramie

Photo by Steve Frederick

70. Photograph the ghost town of Orella Many of Nebraska’s ghost towns are little more than a building or two or a scatter of foundations, the structures long ago hauled off for other purposes or scavenged for wood. A notable exception is the Sioux County town of Orella near Toadstool Park. According to historical accounts, Orella was established around 1907, when the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad moved a depot and section house there and platted several streets. Most of the residents were railroad employees. At one time it had a post office, dry goods store, hotel, dance hall, bank, cream house and coal house. During the 1940s, there was even a small gas station. According to one account the last residents left in the 1960s, and all that’s left today is a handful of abandoned buildings. The buildings are on private property. To get there, follow Toadstool Road for about 20 miles north of Crawford.

71. Travel back in time on the Fossil Freeway According to Kirk Thomas, author of Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway, 90 of 93 Nebraska counties have yielded elephant skeletons or bones. Exploring the richness of the fossil sites is as easy as following a straight line from the northernmost point of the freeway, the Mammoth site in Hot Springs, S.D. just north of the northern border of Neb.; and south along the Pine Ridge of Nebraska, where plains animals

Step back in time with a visit to Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Supplies, including canned peaches, wines, and fine dresses ordered from catalogs, arrived at Fort Laramie by wagon train and were highly sought after by civilians and military personnel. Originally a trading post built in 1834, the fort served as the major center of civilization for the military and civilians on the frontier until 1890 when it was sold in parcels to area residents. Today, the spirit of those past inhabitants can still be found walking the grounds of Fort Laramie National Historic Site that are open year round to visitors, three miles southwest of the town of Fort Laramie, Wyo. Information: 307-837-22221, http://www.nps.gov/fola.

73. Pedal in the Pine Ridge Tackle some challenging western Nebraska terrain on two wheels — mountain bike in the Pine Ridge. There are many opportunities for scenic views and wildlife watching in the diverse grassland and forest, which is similar to the ecology of South Dakota’s Black Hills. Chadron State Park has about 15 miles of trails open to both hikers and mountain bikers. Fort Robinson allows hiking and biking access to any of its 22,000 acres except the buffalo pastures. Take a jaunt into town from Fort Robinson to Crawford on a three-mile crushed-rock trail. Stop by park headquarters to get advice and a trail map. A vehicle entry permit is required ($20 annual, $4 daily). For information, call Chadron State Park 308-432-6167 or Fort Robinson 308-665-2900.

74. See all the wild animals at Wildlife World Take an affordable international wildlife-watching journey at Gering’s Wildlife

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World Wyobraska Natural History Museum and get a sense of the amazing variety of life on Earth. The museum, housed in an historic rail depot, features room after room of displays that include over 650 animal species from all seven continents. A crowd-pleaser at the museum is the replica of a 19-foot-tall prehistoric mammal, the baluchithere. The museum, which will become part of the new Riverside Discovery Center, is located at 950 U St. It’s open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the summer, and Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter. Admission is $3.50 for adults, $3 for seniors and $1 for children. Information: 308-436-7104.

Photo by Roger Holsinger

75. Saddle up and ride in the Pine Ridge While the Pine Ridge area in northwest Nebraska offers many outdoor activities, one of the best ways to experience an area that Crazy Horse, Spotted Tail and Red Cloud once called home is on the back of a horse. Both Chadron State Park, south of Chadron on Highway 385, and Fort Robinson State Park offer trail rides to visitors. Cost for rides at Chadron State Park is $15 per person for a 45-minute ride through the park. Rider must be at least 6 to ride one of the horses. At Fort Robinson, a 50-minute ride costs $15. Riders must be at least 6 years of age, and $20 will buy a 75-minute ride, but riders must be at least 8 years of age. Rides at the fort are offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

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the heart of the towns it passed and leaves travelers with the impression that there isn’t much to see from one end of the state to the other. The Lincoln Highway — known today as Highway 30 — is another matter. The old two-lane runs parallel to the interstate, threading the tiny heartland towns, alongside barns pitched askew by prairie wind, fenced country headstones, wooden churches, erector-set water towers and long-abandoned five-and-dimes. It began nearly a century ago as the dream of Carl Fisher, developer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500, who recognized the need for a highway running from coast to coast to replace the almost impassable dirt roads that prompted most cross-country travelers to ride trains. Today it’s one of the state’s scenic byways, the only one that crosses the entire state.

77. Visit the old potash plants of Antioch While Antioch is basically a ghost town in Sheridan County, the town, located 15 miles east of Alliance on Highway 2, was once nicknamed “the potash capitol of Nebraska.” The late boomtown sprang up once the United States became involved in World War I. At the peak of production, Antioch had more than 5,000 residents.

Today the town has fewer than 20 residents. However, it still offers visitors the chance to view a piece of American history.

78. Hike around the Montz Ranch While the Montz ranch offers many opportunities to see wildlife like elk, mule and whitetail deer, wild turkey, bobcat, coyote and a small band of resident big horn sheep, the 4,800 acres also offers many places to hike. The homestead was a working cattle ranch and served as a “halfway” house for travelers between the communities of LaGrange, Wyo., and Scottsbluff. The land also offers visitors the opportunity to view eagles in their natural habitat and the ranch has a rich cultural and archaeological importance for its fossil and artifact discoveries. The Montz Ranch is located 14 miles Southwest of Morrill and three miles east of the Wyoming-Nebraska border. The ranch is accessible off Stegall Road.

79. Pick up a fresh, home made jar of jam at Wind Harvest Farms There is nothing like snacking on fresh picked raspberries and strawberries, which is available at Wind Harvest Farms. The farm located eight miles north of Henry not only has fruit for the picking but also sells a variety of homemade items.

Homemade jams and jellies, as well as baked goods utilizing the home-grown produce are also available. Pick it yourself or call in an order ahead of time. Or stop by

Photo by Roger Holsinger

76. Take a drive on the first road across America, the Lincoln Highway Many travelers across Nebraska take Interstate 80, which was built away from

606 South Beltline Hwy East • Scottsbluff, NE

308-635-0622 www.celliscycle.com

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and pick out something to take home and freeze or can at home. Information – 308247-2334, windharvest@gmail.com, or windharvestfarms.com.

Star-Herald

or an open-air Jeep ride among the buttes. The park is just west of Crawford on U.S. 20.

81. Take a peaceful stroll in a Panhandle pioneer cemetery You don’t have to have relatives buried in an old cemetery to find the mysteries behind the gravestones interesting. Dawes County: Why would a 10-year-old girl who died in 1889 be memorialized on the same Crow Butte (Harvey) Cemetery tombstone as a 78year-old man who died four years later? Sioux County: What turn-of-the-20th-century tragedy took the lives of the three young Kircher children buried in the Montrose Cemetery? Banner County: Why are there so many Civil War veterans buried in Pleasant Hill (Hull) Cemetery? Scotts Bluff County: What’s the story behind the Depression-era, Spanish-language memorial hand-inscribed on a cement gravestone in Caldwell Cemetery?

To find an area cemetery to explore, try an online search to locate cemeteries by county.

82. See a mammoth skeleton at Fort Robinson More than 10,000 years ago, a pair of “testosterone-crazed” bull mammoths crossed paths on the ice age high plains in what would one day be western Nebraska.

The two ended up dying locked in mortal combat during their Ice Age battle and are now part of the exhibit at the Trailside Museum of Natural History at Fort Robinson.

The museum also offers other fossils and artifacts. The museum is located about a mile west of Crawford on Highway 20. Call 308-665-2929 for more information.

83. Enjoy at bratwurst in Sidney during Oktoberfest Each year residents of Sidney along with a few thousand of their closest friends celebrate the harvest with Oktoberfest. The annual event is held the first weekend in October at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds. The ethnic festival offers continuous free entertainment under a huge tent. In addition, there is a huge parade and many high school bands participate in a band competition. While at the event, live music calls dancers to take part, while outside the tent there are craft shows, farmer’s market, and more ethnic foods to tickle your tastebuds. The classic fall festival also features an adequate supply of brats and cold beer. Saturday’s Oktoberfest Parade is huge, with large crowds, antique cars, community floats, clowns and top quality bands that often includes Denver’s Bagpipe band marching in full Scottish regalia.

84. Have a cheeseburger at Yoba’s Tavern in Rushville Most every small town in America offers a unique place to eat and visit with friends and visitors. That can certainly be said for Yoba’s Tavern in downtown Rushville. If you’re hungry and looking for an inter-esting place to eat while traveling down Highway 20, Yoba’s Tavern offers a full menu and plenty of seat-ing, but get there early because it fills up fast.

85. Fill your ‘Big Dipper’ by looking up Photo by Roger Holsinger

80. Take a hike at Fort Robinson State Park In addition to the history offered to visitors of Fort Robinson State Park, the destination also offers many hiking opportunities in very scenic areas. Many of the hiking areas are accessible to all with wide and well-maintained trails. If hiking is not on your agenda then take a ride on a horse drawn tour, enjoy a refreshing Pine Ridge morning on horseback,

There is nothing like the night skies of Nebraska and Wyoming as the lack of light pollution offers stargazers many opportunities. The Panhandle Astronomy club likes to use the Wildcat Hills campground for viewing the night sky. It is conveniently located and requires only a park sticker for entry. Stars offer year-round beauty, and from mid- to late summer the Milky Way is directly overhead. For meteor showers, November and July offer the Leonids and Persieds, where the only requirement for gazing is a lawn chair or blanket. For more information on the club or viewing tips, visit the website at www.panhandle-astronomyclub.com.

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86. Get your Big Red gear for the new Big 10 year If you live in Nebraska, it’s nearly a law that you have to be a fan of Nebraska football. One of the best places to stock up on your Big Red gear is at Mike’s Husker Stuff in Scottsbluff. Owners Mike and Bonnie Pelster have the most current items including shirts, jerseys and other clothing attire. They also carry a full line of local high school apparel and can provide you with special awards, trophies, plaques, and screen printing. The store is located at 1607 Broadway or call 308632-2560.

Photo by Maunette Loeks

89. Make fiber part of your arts and craft diet The Fiber Arts Fair will mark its third year with classes planned at the Harms Advanced Technology Center on Sept. 16, then the fair goes into full swing on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Events Center at the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds in Mitchell. People interested in the Friday classes should call 6356700. Visitors to the Fiber Arts Fair will be able to participate in classes on how to knit, crochet, weave, spin, quilt, and other handicrafts. Log on to http://nebraskafiberfair.com for all the information.

Photo by Chabella Guzman

87. Have a glass of wine at Prairie Vine Vineyards Prairie Vine Vineyards offers a delightful bouquet of wines from off the very Plains of Nebraska. Located at 1463 17th Avenue in Mitchell, the winery boasts several varieties of dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling wines. The winery has been in business since November 2004 and has a capacity of 6,000 gallons. The business has a large showroom and tasting area where visitors can taste and enjoy some resident favorites, such as “Sara’s Secret,” a sweet raspberry and honey, or its signature “Panhandle Jam,” also a sweet blackberry wine. For more information, call 308-623-2956.

90. Pedal to the pond at Buffalo Creek At one time, before a decade-long drought, the pond in the Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management area was loaded with trout and largemouth bass. The pond has slowly begun to recover, but today the area, which encompasses nearly 4,000 acres, is better known as a playground for mountain bicyclists. Located nine miles southeast of Gering in Scotts Bluff and Banner counties, the remote wildlife area stretches up the Wildcat Hills over-looking the North Platte River valley. A series of narrow single-track trails fan out from the parking area and climb into the hills. Riders find themselves surrounded by ponderosa-topped ridges and cliffs. The road to the trailhead is about eight miles from Gering off County Road X. You can get there by bearing southeast of Gering along the edge of the Wildcat Hills or off of Wright’s Gap Road, which veers south from Highway 92 just west of Melbeta.

88. Enjoy a bed and breakfast in the Pine Ridge 91. Have a drink and enjoy some art in Get away from city lights and traffic and enjoy the hospitality of bed-and-break- Lewellen

fast owners in the bucolic Pine Ridge area in northwest Nebraska. Choose from among several accommodation options, including a vintage schoolhouse, a modern cement-sided home, a settler cabin or a ranch house. Area activities available for visitors include hiking, mountain biking, wildlife watching, fossil or rock hunting, history exploration, horseback riding, stargazing or simply relaxing. For information about the various accommodation options, visit www.nebraskahighcountry.com.

Sip an espresso, fruit smoothie or mint julep while perusing the art gallery in small-town Lewellen’s aptly named The Most Unlikely Place. While enjoying a drink, visitors can gaze upon works from different area artists. The gallery is located on Main Street one block south of Highway 26, in a century-old building that once housed a silent movie theater. The gallery and espresso bar are open Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gourmet lunches from an ever-changing menu are also available between 11 a.m. and 1

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p.m. On the first Sunday of each month, reservations may be made for a brunch and live music between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Information: 308-778-9557.

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August Back-To-School Special

Photo by Roger Holsinger

92. Learn about history with a stop in Hay Springs As you drive east on Highway 20, make a stop in Hay Springs. This small town offers a place for a cold drink and the opportunity to learn about a piece of history. A plaque in the city park notes that Camp Sheridan and the Spotted Tail Agency was build near Hay Springs and the role the camp and agency played in history.

In select locations, Vistabeam is now offering our new Ultra packages with speeds of up to 12 megabit - more than enough to play games, watch internet TV and work from home.

www.vistabeam.com (308) 635-9434 *Available for standard residential installs booked thru August 31, 2011 with a one year service agreement.

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Photo by Steve Frederick

93. Drive through the scenic Wildcat Hills on Wright’s Gap Road Few roads traverse the upper reaches of the rugged Wildcat Hills. One that does is Wright’s Gap Road south of Melbeta. Veering south of Highway 92 just west of the tiny community, it begins as a paved road and eventually turns to gravel. It takes travelers into a scene from a Western movie, with plenty of cattle gazing beneath its towering bluffs as well as the occasional deer and flocks of wild turkeys. From the ridgetop it descends into the ranchlands of Banner County, where you can turn west on Highway 88 and come home on Highway 71 — or, if you’re adventurous, turn east until you can turn north on Redington Road and make another pass through the hills.

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94. Take a scenic drive through Sowbelly Canyon The next time someone tells you that Nebraska has no natural splendor, take him for a drive along Sowbelly Canyon. It’s one of the gems of the Pine Ridge, appearing out of nowhere from high, grass-covered plains north of Harrison. Turn east on the gravel road a half-mile north of U.S. 20. The road drops into a pine forested canyon and loops 12 miles through one of the most scenic areas in the state. Although the area was hit by wildfire in July 2006, the fire spared Coffee Park in the canyon bottom. The peaceful park offers picnicking, fishing, hiking and day use and is considered a prime viewing area for Rocky Mountain birds including western tanager, western wood-pewee, plumbeous vireo, cordilleran flycatcher, and pygmy nuthatch.

95. Observe nature at Bead Mountain The Bead Mountain Ranch is one of several new areas in the region accessible to the public, courtesy of Platte River Basin Environments. Located south of Gering and east of Highway 71 near the intersection of County Roads 24 and W, it encompasses approximately 3,100 acres of the north-facing slopes of the Wildcat Hills. Home to deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife, it was named for a burial site of plains Indians on a prominent butte on the property. Miles of canyons and three springs are on the area, and pines, junipers and century-old cottonwood trees provide shade for hikers.

96. Breath in the fresh air at Chadron Creek Wildlife Management Area Chadron Creek Ranch is located in the Pine Ridge, about two miles south of Chadron State Park, just west of U.S. 385. It consists of more than 2,000 acres of pine covered hills, escarpments and open meadows. PRBE assisted the Nebraska Game & Parks with the acquisition of this property and it is now under the management and control of the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. The area is home to numerous wildlife species including elk, deer, turkey, rabbits, squirrels as well as numerous songbirds and furbearers. Many recreational activities are allowed on the property including hunting, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, bird watching and photography. State and federal hunting regulations apply. Off road travel, including use of ATVs, is prohibited. Parking is provided at designated areas.

97. Hike through juniper and pines at Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area If you wonder what a bighorn sheep feels like as it ascends the steep sides of the Wildcat Hills, lace up your hiking boots and take a stroll in the Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area. Located southwest of Gering, the area includes approximately 2,225 acres of pine and juniper escarpments, meadows, canyons and wooded draws. It is part of a unique wildlife corridor extending from Wyoming to Nebraska. Mule deer, wild turkeys, bobcats, and numerous other game and non-game species make their homes in the management area. In 2001 Cedar Canyon became the release site for the reintroduction of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep into the Wildcat Hills. The property is now under the management of the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. To get there, turn west off Highway 71 onto Carter Canyon Road south of Gering, then turn south on County Road 17 and follow it to the parking area.

Photo by Chabella Guzman

98. Bark at a prairie dog at the Diamond Bit Diamond Bit is wildlife habitat at the base of Hubbards Hill south of Mitchell.

Home to a large prairie dog and burrowing owl colony, it also has three artesian wells on 155 acres of mostly salt grass meadow. Maintaining and enhancing the beauty of indigenous life forms and restoring native plant communities is the vision of the Platte River Basin Environments Inc. that owns and maintains the property for future generations. For more information, visit the website at www.nebwild.org.

99. Have a steak at Little Moon Lake Supper Club Little Moon Supper Club was named by Native Americans and been at the same location for many years. As you wait for your table you can hang out on the deck and watch the bluegill in the clear water. A turtle may come up looking for a snack.

You’ll find an arrow-shaped sign pointing to the Supper Club 30 miles west of Scottsbluff and 100 yards west of the Nebraska border just past Henry. The Supper Club is open Wednesday-Saturday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and reservations are recommended. For more information, call 307-532-5750.

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100. Harvest some waterfowl at Cheyenne Ridge Outfitters Sitting near the crest of a hill two and a half miles east of Min a t a r e o n U. S. 2 6 i s t h e C h eye n n e R i d g e O u t f i t t e r s lodge. The lodge is mostly for waterfowl hunters but caters to special events and banquets.

The lodge has a variety of amenities for guests. There are four rooms at the lodge that can sleep up to 15 and a living and dining area. Cheyenne Ridge Outfitters also has a massage and sauna. Pheasant season starts in October and in January there are ducks, geese and wild turkey and some whitetail deer hunting as well. Hunters can use both sides of the North Platte and hunt along the river bottom not far from the lodge. For more information or to make reservations, call 308-783-5739 or visit the website at www.cheyenneridgeoutfitters.com.

Photo by Chabella Guzman

101. Learn about history at the Wheat Growers Hotel in Kimball When the Wheat Growers Hotel was constructed in 1918 by F.Cunningham, it was touted as the most glamorous hotel between Omaha and Denver, with 86 rooms, a restaurant and a ballroom. The hotel even hosted some famous guests, including Dwight and Mami Eisenhower, who stayed at the hotel in 1919. While the hotel changed hands through the years, its former glory all but disappeared into the journals of history. Today, a preservation group is trying to refurbish the hotel.

In the meantime, history buffs are often seen coming to the hotel and peering in its windows, where you can still see one of the prizes of its architecture – a tile inlay shock of wheat that paid tribute to the wheat growers that exist in Kimball’s past and present day.

Photo by Maunette Loeks

Photo by Maunette Loeks

Main Street Market 1542 South Main St. Mr. Tire & Cenex - Hwy 26 West

Plaza Foods, Mr. Tire & Plaza Cenex 401 S. Beltline Hwy West Northgate Ampride - Ave B & Hwy 26

Main Street Market - 815 East 3rd St. Fuel Service Office - 103 S. Howard St. 24 Hour Fueling Pumps - 314 S Chestnut

Mr. Tire - 702 Main St. Ampride - Hwy 92 & US 385