9-27-19 - (Day 65 - Scotts Bluff National Monument/North Platte NWR)

We decided to leave Amber in the camper garage and take a ride in the truck to Scotts Bluff National Monument and North Platte Wildlife Refuge.

We rode by Chimney Rock and took some pictures.  We can see Chimney Rock from our campsite.

We checked out the temporary visitor's center at Scotts Bluff National Park then took a hike on the Oregon Trail.  It was a short, easy hike for us.  It was nothing like those pioneers that traveled on this trail for miles in rough terrain and harsh weather conditions.

We drove up Summit Road from the visitor center.  The only three tunnels in Nebraska are on this road.  We had some more beautiful views on this ride.

We made it to the top and hiked the South and North Overlook Trail.  When we hiked the South Overlook Trail we saw a  tunnel across the way that got our attention.

While we were hiking the North Overlook Trail, we came to the Saddle Rock Trailhead.  This trail goes to the tunnel that we saw on the South Overlook Trail.  We decided to walk it for a little ways.

We kept going downhill on the trail, then realized it was not much further to the tunnel.  We debated if we should continue on, or turn around.  Lauren was sure if we went further that I would whine about coming back up the steep incline.  He was also sure if we didn't go, I would whine that we were that close and didn't walk through the tunnel.  A no brainer. we walked through the tunnel.

The walk back up was not that bad.  I only stopped a couple of times to catch my breath.  And no, there was no whining!!

We continued on the North Overlook Trail.  Again taking in the gorgeous views.

After hiking about 5 miles and 39 flights of stairs, we were ready for lunch.  We drove to Riverside Park on the North Platte River and ate lunch sitting on a bench watching the water rush by.  Another great picnic spot.

We drove on the dusty, dirt, roads in the North Platte NWR.  Our decision to leave the asphalt queen in the garage was a good one.

We saw a bunch of Doves, Sparrows, Finches,  a couple of American Kestrels, a Great Blue Heron, a few Ducks,  lots of Geese, a couple of Belted Kingfishers, Robins,  and a couple of Swainson's Hawks.

We got back to camp before the rain started.  Tomorrow we relocate.


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