O.T. Vacation advice.

Some time ago I posted to get advice of things to see along a planed vacation route. I thought I would post how that 13 day vacation went. Dad and I headed west through Minnesota on 90. Since my brother is taking him to see South Dakota the end of the month, our first stop was Custer battlefield. The tour through the historical battlefield may have been a little skewered as the guide was Crow indian. Then we visited Bannack, Nevada City ( where we saw the only known 2 story outhouse) and drove through Virginia City. From there we went south east into Yellowstone from the west gate. We camped just outside Yellowstone's east gate. We spent 2 1/2 days exploring the park. We spent 1 night in Cody Wy and enjoyed a night at the Rodeo. We viewed the Big Boy Locomotive in Chyenne. Spent a few hours at the millitary vehicle museum at Lexington Nb. Took a whole day at the pioneer museun at Minden Nb. Spent the morning at the Stratigic air command in Ashland Nb. And one final stop at Farmall land in Avoka Ia before returning home.
Thanks to all who gave advice, weather we were able to take it or not. It made the trip a lot more interesting and I now have many ideas of things to see in future trips west.

You also made some great memories with your dad that you will never regret. My dad passed away in 1989 and I still miss him. Thanks for the update. sounds like a great trip.

frank

We are heading on the same trip week after next.

We just got back from that trip 2 weeks ago. You guys out west have some beautiful country.

~~WoT

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the trip. There are a lot of neat sights in the mid-section of our country. It's only boring to certain people who don't enjoy learning about the history of our plains states. I've always wanted to stop at Lexington but every time I go through there I have my sights set on getting from point A to point B as soon as possible so I have to drive on by. Jim

Two story outhouse ? I hope you were not on the bottom floor !

top floor set back and a double back wall

I want to make it out that way some time.

There is a two story outhouse at Fayette, MI. Its a MI State Park. Originally an iron ore settlement. Presently the two story outhouse is not standing but the hotel still is. Idea was the second story guests would not have to leave their floor to do their business.

Last I heard, there are plans to finish the restoration. YUP, I'll choose the top floor.

Rick

What is the saying about little big horn? The Crow owned the land, Chyenne did all the fighting, Souix got all the glory?
Now- this winter?- is the time you can sit back and study up what you saw. Lots of material on it out there.
I was talking to a 'docent'? The guy discribing the weapons used there. I told him about my father's old neighbor when he was very young, in the late 20's and early 1930's. The old man told people he was a drummerboy in the civil war, and was still in the army in that area, a few miles away herding 'beef on the hoof'. He said when they safely got the cows and chuck wagons miles back to the east, another regiment's captain- who didn't hear the news, asked where they thought they were going. He said his sargent told the officer 'there is no one alive back there to feed, so the cattle can go back to Chicago if we can make it, and if the GD injuns keep chasing us, back to Massachusetts if the horses can make it!
The ranger said that sounded quite reasonable and probably true, there were over 40 supply trains headed that way, and over 8000 people from all over the world in the area, and within a day, nearly everyone was either dug in or running away. Re enlistments of men on that campaign was nill, Washington was stumped, and if the western tribes had 'banned together' with organization and communications- and food- we would be a different looking country today.
He told me to check out the Fedderman site back in Wyoming, that's a true story of the old west no one wants to talk about. I didn't stay there long. Immagine 100 degrees, wearing a dark wool uniform, single shot gun, with 500 screaming savages trying to kill you... and 14 rattlesnakes as big around as your leg on the path infront of you. What was the saying? Save the last bullet for yourself? Yeah. Big snakes. But it's only a few hundred feet off rt90.
I would like to see some Louis and Clark sights next time in Montana. The saddest part is following the endless miles of abandoned 'Milwaukee Road' mainline, geezz..
Sounds like your ride deserves an oil change! Glad to hear the trip turned out well for you.

Trip across Nebraska on Rt. 12 was great. Lots of wide open country, NO TRAFFIC, and some very friendly people. Not many towns, but some really good scenery. Spent the night in Chadron, but didn't know we were so close to Allens home or I'd have looked him up.

(quoted from post at 06:04:29 07/11/12) I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the trip. There are a lot of neat sights in the mid-section of our country. It's only boring to certain people who don't enjoy learning about the history of our plains states. I've always wanted to stop at Lexington but every time I go through there I have my sights set on getting from point A to point B as soon as possible so I have to drive on by. Jim

Click to expand...

I have a field 5 miles from the muesem and still never stop. Everyone tells me it's cool. On the other hand pioneer village in minden is 35 minutes from me and I've been there several times over the years. It's just a glimmer of its former glory but still very good.