Day Fifteen: Independence to Grand Island

So we got up early and left Independence just after dawn. (It was already kinda hot.) A nice drive - we had thought we were going to Council Bluff, but realized that taking 2 would save at least an hour, so we didn't. We got to Grand Island at 1:30, checked in, grabbed a quick lunch, and drove to Fort Kearny State Historical Park. Tomorrow we're looking around Grand Island (my friend's family is from there) and the Stuhr Pioneer Museum and whatnot, and leaving here the next day.

Dawn in Independence, Missouri



This would be a long drive.



And so would this!



To Oregon - I don't know if this is the town in Missouri, or a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Oregon Trail. I suspect the former, though.

Missouri - still flat


And into Iowa - very briefly (What the heck, you're welcome! Glad to have you with us even though we may not ever mention it again...)



The Nishnabotna river in Hamburg, Iowa

Nebraska



Nebraska: not entirely flat...

More outlandish destinations:

Gil Thorpe! Playdowns! Coach Kaz!

I swear this is true: James Taylor was singing "You've got a friend" as we passed this sign


Are there enough beavers in Nebraska that they need a crossing?


Lewis and Clark and the Oregon Trail

Arriving at Grand Island - alas, an island no longer since they dammed the North Platte

A cornfield near Grand Island; I'm not sure if these are the strains or the pesticides!

Not only are there Sinclairs out here - this one still has the brontosaurus!

The road is not wet: it's a mirage. (Dangerous heat advisory in effect until TUESDAY!)

A first for me! A redheaded woodpecker

A dragonfly