Toadstool Park

Located a few miles Northwest of Crawford, NE is Toadstool Park. Hard limestone formed over softer volcanic material which is eroding faster than the limestone.

Getting there is part of the fun. Bully gate guards bar the way.

There are other ways but I preferred this one. The other follows railroad tracks and is rough with heavy truck traffic.

From a fairly level prairie, the terrain gets seriously rugged.

The trail-head.

At my age and level of physical fitness, a 14 mile jaunt climbing steep hills isn't happening.  Yes, people my age are running marathons and swimming the English Channel. Bless their hearts.

Instead I took the easy path.

Still lots to see.

When the Yellowstone super volcano covers this area in several feet of ash, these tracks may become fossilized. Fast forward a couple of million years and some sentient being will be looking at them and going WTF?

For those physically fit and not lazy, many more formations are higher up. 

The old ranch kid in me still sees the noxious weeds, in this case, Canadian Thistle.

There is a small area with two pit toilets, shelter tables, and RV parking but no water or power.Day fee is $3 and camping $10.

Off the beaten path but well worth a visit if this is your sort of thing.

Fort Robinson

One of the most important Western forts post Civil War, the place has been fairly well preserved and is now a well run state park.

http://nebraskahistory.org/sites/fortrob/history.htm

Buffalo Soldiers

http://www.blackpast.org/aaw/fort-robinson-nebraska-1874-1916

Native Americans

Will not debate the treatment of Native Americans but will present a little of their point of view. They were doomed after the Civil War because two of the hardest Union Generals, Sherman and Sheridan, were put in charge of subduing them.

Sheridan introduced winter campaigns with battle tested officers and soldiers well supplied.

https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/history/events/native-history-descendant-tells-fathers-story-of-fort-robinson-escape/

http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/sherman.htm

From the front veranda looking at the parade grounds. As a Calvary post, there was need for space. Imagine the sight of two regiments passing in review.

Can't escape the damned nanny state, can we?

Statement on today's trends?

Glider Operations during WWII

https://books.google.com/books?id=5Wax7ZLvGaIC&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=glider+operations+fort+robinson&source=bl&ots=5fL9Jsyocd&sig=0Fe6WXAwq9dk8V60RF44N_QNZM0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUK

Prisoner of War Camp

An Uncle who had eye problems but was still able to serve escorted German POWs.

http://nebraskahistory.org/sites/fortrob/pwcamp.htm

Longhorns

The Fort is an important part of the effort to save the Longhorn cattle breed. They also raise bison and all buffalo meat and beef served in the restaurant and snack bars are from these herds.

Some of the historic building are available for rent, both as "hotel" accommodations and reunions.

Lots of things to do. Stagecoach rides and horseback tours.

For historians and/or writers wanting to broaden their understanding of the era this place represents, I encourage a longer stay. Prices are reasonable, the employees of the park are outstanding, and the entire area kept to a high standard.

Hills to the West

A welcome change to the endless prairies.

Agate Fossil Beds

Fossils can be found in nearly any outcropping of ancient sedimentary rock all over the West. One of the premier sites is in Nebraska.

The limitations of the photographer, not the camera, result in these pictures. Hopefully, there will be something interesting to see.

Lakota

Many people are enamored by Native American culture and history. I’m not one of them. That said, the building houses an enormous collection of Lakota artifacts in a separate wing.

Walks

For the physically fit, there are many hikes to the fossil beds.

More Information

https://www.nps.gov/agfo/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/agfo/learn/historyculture/collections.htm

S^%T!!!!!!

One drawback of having 50+ first cousins is they are mortal. Not the assholes, of course, but the good ones.

Just learned today that one passed. Saw him just this past May. Producer of 38 home videos.

https://www.youtube.com/results?q=whitefamilyhomestead&sp=QgIIAQ%253D%253D

Damn, damn, damn, how I hate cancer and what it has done to so many I care about.

Rest in peace, Paul. The rest of us will carry on.

Road Less Taken

Back from my mental health break and feeling refreshed. Mainly took back roads, stayed off Interstates, and cruised along with very little traffic to deal with. Not all happy times. On the road above a pickup passed me going the opposite direction and caused a rock chip in my new windshield.

Lots of open space. 

Part of the inspiration for the trip.

Home away from home in Harrison, NE.

Had to suffer some noisy neighbors.

Fairly new foal in the group. Full of himself and didn't let me get a good photograph.

More to come in the days ahead with many pictures.