Legend-ary Cross Country Trip - Day 5 The Long Drive Holds Surprises

Odometer Reading: 957 - 1340

Departed: Lincoln, Nebraska 8:15 a.m.

Arrived: Sterling, Colorado 4:30 p.m.

Overnight: Harvest Host - Sky Ranch Golf Course

Along the Way

  It was great having our bathroom and kitchen in tow along the route of our cross country drive.  It made for easy lunch and restroom stops.  It was also a blessing to be able to shower in the morning, even if you did not have hook ups to water and sewer overnight. But at some point those dirty tanks get full (about day 3 or 4) and they need to be dumped and the water needs to be refilled.  Shoemakers Travel Center in Lincoln offered a free dump station and a water fill up and surprisingly to us, a double tour of the University of Nebraska as we had to drive past it twice after making a wrong turn. Bruce saw an “O” street when it was a “Q” street and for once I didn't correct him fast enough before he made the turn onto “Q” street. This turn caused a little panic and a lot of frustration for the driver as he navigated around narrow college streets.  We found the travel station over the bridge that we had tried to go under. We were on the road again by 9:20.The long drive day started off very quiet in the cab of the truck that morning.   

It was such a long drive across Nebraska and I knew we would have to fill up the gas tank twice along the way.  I also knew that it was not uncommon to travel a hundred miles between gas stations, especially ones that could accommodate the height of the trailer. So I did what I do and planned ahead and sought out gas stations and stops along the route. We stopped at Kearney Archway monument for a lunch of cheese and crackers. We missed the wine with our charcuterie, but we were driving. It was a beautiful stop along the Great Platte River. After lunch we took a stroll along the river and wandered past their outdoor display.  We could see a storm coming from the south, so we filled up the gas tank and continued our drive.

Bruce tends to leave the majority of the planning and places to stop to me.  He surprised me when he discovered a fun spot to mail Sam and Tyler their postcard in Gothenburg Nebraska. According to the Pony Express Station and Museum website, Gothenburg is home to two original Pony Express stations. We stopped at the Sam Machette station & museum in Ehmen city park. The original log building was disassembled,  moved and reassembled at this location in 1931. The story goes that when a couple of local teenagers noticed tourists stopping to peer into the cabin's windows, they approached the city council with a request to open a gift shop inside the station. They were granted approval and the Gothenburg Pony Express station was officially opened to the public in the mid 1950's. The station/museum has continued on as a nationally known tourist attraction that's been open every summer since that time. It receives between 30,000 to 40,000 visitors to the station every year and continues Gothenburg's legacy as the "Pony Express Capital of Nebraska". The host allowed us to bring Kennobi in to get him out of the heat.  It was a fun little log cabin with souvenirs and the best part was putting the postcard in the leather satchel nailed to the door to be mailed.  Before it went in the mail , they allowed me to stamp it with an official Pony Express ink stamp. Another hidden gem of a spot.

We arrived at the Sky Ranch Golf Course and parked in their grass over flow parking area. Kenobi somehow discovered a half buried golf ball straight away.  After much trying to retrieve it, Bruce was able to pop it out with the blade of his knife.  In lieu of an overnight stay cost, we had dinner at the onsite restaurant, “The Hot Spot”.  It was fabulous and my blueberry lemon drop hit the spot after a long day. It was nice to walk to our trailer after dinner and relax outside. We had missed the storms, but they led to an amazing sunset as we watched the tumbleweed roll across the field in front of us.

Wildlife: None unless you count the golf ball Obi dug up

Trailer: Had to lower the tire pressure

Funny Story:  When visiting the Pony Express Station and Museum, the host was directing us on how to mail our postcard using the satchel.  She also informed us that someone comes everyday to pick it up but they no longer ride a horse. Now they drive a four wheeler.

Reflection:  I was discovering that I really enjoyed sending postcards. It is something I haven’t done in years.  It is hard to do on short trips. You are home before the postcard arrives.  Plus with social media it is easier, faster, and less expensive just to send a text.  But I really found  joy in it from picking out the card, writing  a few personal sentences and hunting for a post office.  I hope to do it more often on future trips.  If you want a future postcard, let me know!