April 2002

The trip there (Dodge City) took us through Texas Pan Handle Dalhart. First time we saw beef cattle penned in their 1,000s, the smell was strong. To us it seemed cruel, these cattle knew nothing else, brought to pens when a few months old, kept, fed and when full grown, on to slaughter.

17 April - Through Oklahoma pan handle. High winds, but no problem, further east were tornados.

18 April - into Kansas and Dodge City temp 90'F next day dropped to 57'F could not believe it. Saw our first THUNDERHEAD cloud then severe storm, but not too bad, for us. Dodge City was not as good as Tombstone but still worth visit.

24th and 25th - We traveled north through Kansas flat and boring, cool and rainy farmland. Crossed into Nebraska, still farmland but a little different.

28th April - we picked up the old Oregon Trail along River Platte. Good views. Chimney Rock highest point in Nebraska then on to Scotts Bluff, beautiful area. Was established with Oregon trail crossing here. The day run north to Fort Robinson was boring but Fort Robinson had interesting museum. It was here Crazy Horse was stabbed in back by soldier, while Indians were imprisoned there.

30 April - Crossed into South Dakota. Hot springs and mammoth museum in town of Hot Springs. We heard weather was going to change, so pulled onto "Passport America" Ranch. Pleasant owners and beautiful horses, popular for trekking. Had thunder, lightning and hail during evening.