Before heading to Wyoming and the headline National Parks (Grand Teton and Yellowstone), we make a short detour through northwestern Nebraska to visit Scotts Bluff National Monument. Originally, we planned to come just because we are trying to hit all 48 contiguous states on our trip, but it turns out Scotts Bluff is one of the more interesting historical parks because it concentrates on the pioneer trails (Oregon and Mormon) that passed through this spot in the 1800’s (covered wagons included!). Scotts Bluff towers 800 feet above the green plains and marks the beginning of the Rocky Mountains, which can be seen looming on the horizon.
We are staying at Robidoux RV Park in Gering just a few miles from Scotts Bluff and we can see it from our site. This campground is beautiful, with each site fully landscaped, private, with full hookups and far from your neighbors. It is Fourth of July and this will be a nice spot for a down day. At night the whole town lights up with fireworks; it seems that every house in the town has purchased their own firecrackers. It is a sign of the times, when we hear fireworks going off outside, that our daughter Elle said “that’s so weird, I wonder what it is. Gunshots, fireworks, it could be anything!”
On the 5thwe go to the National Monument. After seeing the exhibits, watching the park film and earning the junior ranger badge, we drive up to the summit and take in the 360 degree views while hiking the North and South Overlook Trails. There is also a trail from the summit back down to the Visitor Center, but we need to head back for homeschooling.
Tomorrow we head westward to the true Rockies!