July 31, 2013 Cheyenne, WY

Bill's driving so I thought I would write a little update.

We spent Monday night in Elm Creek,NE. last night in Big Spring, NE which had a bank, library and a grocery and that was about it although we did think for a town of 495 it was interesting that they had a public pool.

Big Spring was also the site of a Bank Robbery that left 3 dead and one paralyzed. Pope, 

the robber had recently graduated from college. Pope had worked near Big Spring with a 

harvest crew who spoke about the robbery of a train nearby many years earlier where the 

robbers were able to get $60,000 and that stuck with Pope.

Unfortunately, Pope had planned to kill everyone in the bank so there would be no witness.
That plan didn't quiet  work out since a bank employee lived to identify the banks robber.

The robbery only provided Pope with $1598.

The 1965 Chevrolet Pope used as his getaway car is on display Chevyland Museum(Elem Creek) about 150 miles east of Big Spring.  We happened to visit the museum and read some news paperarticles on the robbery.

Pope was sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life in prison.

We were able to eek out about 8.5 miles a gallon yesterday, but that was done
by driving 55 as those doing the posted speed limit of 75 seemed to zip by.

Today Bill is trying to show me up, but his 55 miles an hour will only get us a 7.5
mpg, maybe because of some long highway grades.

YEA we're in Cheyenne, WY... more pics and info to come.

I think I am going to start a blog that list camp grounds that advertise WI-FI,

but then either it is so poor it is the same as none or as told checking in here

at Terry Bison Ranch Resort where we were told it isn't working. Bill suggested for

their rate they should get it working, to be told they "don't charge for WI-FI", that is always

a good call, then you can't expect some sort of discount for no WI-FI. My theory is

if you have "WI-FI" anywhere in your advertisement, it would be no difference

than getting electric, water and sewer. A decision is based on what we read, 

RIGHT??????

July 25, 2013 Honey Creek, IA.

Today was a busy day, we took in the Grenville Dodge House, the historic Squirrel Cage Jail and the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge that crosses the Missouri river spanning 3000 feet.

Grenville Dodge was a very important person serving as a Union army officer on the frontier and during the Civil War, a US Congressman, businessman, railroad executive who helped build the Transcontinental railroad. He was also council to presidents, including Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses Grant.
In 1869 Dodge built his Victorian home designed by architect William Boyington, a Chicago architect for a cost of $35,000. The 14 room 3 story mansion stands high on a ridge overlooking the Missouri valley. The home was advanced for its time having indoor plumbing, fixtures for gas and electric, heating and air conditioning.

Council Bluffs has one of only three Squirrel Cage Jails left in the US.  Built in 1885 and was used until 1969. It was one of eighteen revolving(squirrel cage, human rotary) jails built and the only 3 level one built.
Built at the cost of $30,000 with 3 floors of revolving pie shaped cells inside a cage. The front of the building had offices for the jailer, kitchen, trustees cells and quarters for women. The jail also had a cell similar in size as a gym locker for solitary confinement. In some cases prisoners were in the confined space for 5-10 days. The overall jails design was made for maximum security and minimal contact between the jailers and prisoners.

City park with nice water features

Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge is a S shaped cable stay bridge which spans 3000 feet about 60 feet above the Missouri river connecting Nebraska and Iowa. The bridge has two towers that are 200 feet tall to support the cables with a striking modern design.

 

July 24, 2013 Honey Creek, IA, a little north of Omaha, NE

In my haste to get the other post out I wanted to add a little history about the Lewis & Clark expedition. 

Woodbury County, Iowa is part of American history(something I missed I think) as over 200 years ago Lewis and Clark crossed through this territory. Organized by Thomas Jefferson in 1803, the "corps of Discovery" set out to explore uncharted west and find water This expedition was critical to have established our nation as we know it.

Only one member of the expedition died suddenly from what is thought to have been simply an 
appendicitis rupture, unknown at the time.

The monument was built over the grave of Sgt Charles Floyd to protect the grave and to pay tribute
for his sacrifice.

Then we saw military refueling planes coming into the same airfield that Flight 232 that crashed in the
late 80s it was a little freaky cause they fly a bit lower than commercial airliners when approaching the field.

The 185th Air Refueling Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard is located in America's heartland at Colonel Bud Day Field in Sioux City, Iowa. The Unit was established in December 1946. The Army Air Force's 386th Fighter Squadron, flying P-47 Thunderbolts, activated in 1943, was inactivated in 1945 and re-designated the 174th Fighter Squadron and allocated to the Iowa National Guard in on May 24th, 1946. On December 2nd of that same year, the 174th was extended Federal recognition and equipped with P-51 Mustangs. The 174th is still the flying squadron at the 185th Fighter Wing. The squadron has flown single seat fighter aircraft since its inception. The component of the unit included 9 rated officers, 7 non-rated officers, and 46 enlisted members for a total of 62 members. Today, the 185th consists of nearly 1,000 traditional and full-time military as well as over 300 air technicians and state contract employees. 

Highway excitement today was another 18 wheeler laying on its side. Can you imagine what it might have been like laying on the left door as it scooted along the roadway?? 

We traveled from South Sioux City, NE. to Honey Creek, IA here at Hitchcock Nature center where we look out over bluffs covered in some form of greenery, i.e. Corn or Soy been.

We did have a sight seeing trip coming here that is for sure.

We exited as the GPS said, we crossed I29 and looked in the direction we were to go to only see a bridge with a height posting of 11',1', OMG, we pulled over and made an attempt to reroute our selves. We got back on I29 headed south took the next exit for Loop 680, unfortunately there was no exit to get on the road below us. We drove 6 miles before taking another route winding through the country side of Corn and beans. Each alternate route wanted to take us down a gravel road. OBOY... so we made a big circle but finally did it all on paved roads.

We will be doing sight seeing in Omaha and around the area and will post pictures of our finds.

Enjoy the pictures

July 22/23 South Sioux City, NE

We have spent 2 days here in Sioux City, wow not to impressed by this location.....

The park is right on the river and is a county park with full services, pretty nice but the downtown area isn't all that big or much of a view. Of course I am thinking about the place in Little Rock which we liked looking at the Clinton Library.

We toured a TUG boat here, checked out a Pierce Mansion with an interesting past, the monument erected to pay tribute to the only person to die with the Lewis and Clark expedition and the mid America Museum. The little cabins here at the park were created, designed and built by architect students from the University of Iowa.

Had fun doing all even got in some geocahcing.