route 20 across Iowa and Nebraska

Uncle Grumpy wrote:
Speaking of the sandhills (cranes that is) I grew up 20 miles from the Platte river where thousands of cranes stop in March to rest before their northern migration. Loved watching their mating dances. We saw them in TX last two winters near Goose Island St. Park near Rockport. They were hanging out with some Whooping cranes. NEAT. And we spent the last two summers near Pinedale WY and they pair up on the meadows there. In summer they are brown instead of grey. This population I think winters in NM along the Rio Grande. One of my favorite birds. Just never understood why they fly in circles endlessly on the migration when they could get there a lot faster flying straight..

I grew up in Ogallala and I can remember the cranes as well as the sound of the prairie chickens. Also remember seeing 100's of antelope racing across the sandhills. We took a lot of drives out in the sandhills as a kid and I can remember many times my dad stopping the car and helping a turtle to the other side of the road. I hope that stuff still goes on.

You could take Hwy 30 as it crosses all of Nebraska. But, be prepared to see many small towns almost in ghost town effect. I rode my bike from Oregon to Omaha several years ago and Hwy 30 from my home town of Ogallala to Omaha was the most depressing part of my trip. Sad...many of those small towns used to be thriving small communities with many small and prosperous farmers. Now it seems big business owns just about all the farm land.

Or they are arguing about which road to take.

Uncle Grumpy wrote:
Just never understood why they fly in circles endlessly on the migration when they could get there a lot faster flying straight..

I think it is because the females are leading the pack.
bumpy

Speaking of the sandhills (cranes that is) I grew up 20 miles from the Platte river where thousands of cranes stop in March to rest before their northern migration. Loved watching their mating dances. We saw them in TX last two winters near Goose Island St. Park near Rockport. They were hanging out with some Whooping cranes. NEAT. And we spent the last two summers near Pinedale WY and they pair up on the meadows there. In summer they are brown instead of grey. This population I think winters in NM along the Rio Grande. One of my favorite birds. Just never understood why they fly in circles endlessly on the migration when they could get there a lot faster flying straight..

Uncle Grumpy wrote:
Hay Springs NE is on hiway 20 45 miles N of Alliance. The RV park is operated by the city and has 10 sites, both pull through and back in. Located one block east and one block south of the highways intersection. Agate fossil beds is south of Harrison.

thanks for the information, that's great

Hay Springs NE is on hiway 20 45 miles N of Alliance. The RV park is operated by the city and has 10 sites, both pull through and back in. Located one block east and one block south of the highways intersection. Agate fossil beds is south of Harrison.

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Par near Royal NE. is not to far off of 20 and we'll worth the time to visit.

http://ashfall.unl.edu/

newk wrote:

taddyport wrote:

I have sandhills in the valley across from my house,they're great to listen to.

Maybe you're referring to sandhill cranes? And I think Uncle's reference was to the geographic area.

Sandhills of Nebraska

thanks, you are correct though I bet the Sandhills have some great sounds too :)

taddyport wrote:

I have sandhills in the valley across from my house,they're great to listen to.

Maybe you're referring to sandhill cranes? And I think Uncle's reference was to the geographic area.

Sandhills of Nebraska