Chimney Rock was one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks for the pioneers travelling west through Nebraska on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails. The sky was smoky the morning when we got there.The sun went in and out while we were there, making different looks that were cool to see.Here, the sun is out over the top tower.Then the sun is on the slopes but not the tower.Pretty much full sun.I did not see any, but I was aware!A different angle, from the north as we left.
One of Mary Jean’s best friends in Nebraska took us through the Oshkosh Heifer Development lot. There are tens of thousands of dairy cattle here!
They come in as young heifers, 350-425 lbs., mostly from Wisconsin dairymen.
Their diets are mostly high-protein forage (triticale, alfalfa, sorghum, grasses). This feed is to grow, not fatten, the heifers.
Just before Artificially Inseminating (AI) them, they are put to stand in the stanchions so they are already stanchion-broke when they return to Wisconsin.
When they are yearlings(+) they are AI’ed with all female-sexed semen – they want cows, not bulls, to replace the milking cows.
They are bred to produce gallons of milk per day, to be milked for 4-5 years, 3 times a day.
About 60 days ahead of calving they are sent back to Wisconsin to birth their calves and start being milked.
Quite an extensive process! Now you know where your milk comes from!Holsteins (in stanchions).JerseySimmentalBlack AngusBrown SwissI was very surprised to see Pronghorn Antelope grazing in the field! 4 females with one male.The male became curious of me taking pictures so he came a little closer.And closer still.Mary Jean and her good friend Gwen.These are wild sunflowers – considered weeds.
Ash Hollow State Park is a historic spot where ancient Indians lived and sheltered, and pioneers travelling the Oregon Trail passed through.These ruts were made in the 1800s by wagons traversing the Oregon Trail. It is incredible that the ruts are still there 150+ years later! This area is known as Windlass Hill.More ruts.The pioneers also drove through ravines like this one.Panoramic view. When I got to the top of the hill, I was surprised when a coyote jumped up and ran away from me! It was larger than I thought a coyote would be. He was about 20 feet from me.This a pioneer homestead dates to the 1890s. The Oregon Trail passed by here.Behind these doors (closed due to COVID fear – arrgh!) is a well preserved cave used by Indians for perhaps thousands of years.
This is Mary Jean’s hometown.Mary Jean’s father built this house (note the MB on the porch railing) in Ogallala. She lived here as a child.Mary Jean’s grandmother (Gramy) lived next door.Mary Jean and her cousins and Aunt Juanita.Lake McConaughy was built over the town of Lemoyne NE, which was Mary Jean’s father’s hometown. In order to facilitate the lake, Lemoyne was dismantled piece by piece.The dam is 162 feet high(deep) and 3.1 miles long. When all the gates are open, the water flows at 7,000 cubic feet per second, or over 420 thousand gallons a minute. The large structure close to the dam is called the Morning Glory. It is the flood control tower.These lines show how low the water in the lake is.Lake McConaughy is 22 miles long and the normal depth is 142 feet. It is a very popular spot for water and beach activities during the summer.
Cabela’s world headquarters are located in Sidney NE. Cabela’s has recently been bought out by Bass Pro Shops.This is what you see when you walk in the front door.This African Elephant was killed by one of the Cabelas in Ethiopia in 1989.This is a cool wildlife display.This National Pony Express Monument is right next to the Cabela’s store.
