This is one of those quirky roadside attractions you see across the US. Obviously a takeoff on Stonehenge, this site has actually become one of the top things to see in Nebraska according to many travel sites.Sunflower field outside Alliance NE.Sunflowers
Scotts Bluff was another significant landmark on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails, as well as for Indians in the centuries before American settlers came to the area. The bluffs are situated 800 feet over the North Platte River.Overlooking the city of Scottsbluff NE from the top of the bluffs.This trail leads to a cave.The view of the bluffs from a golf community in the city.This is a sugar beet processing plant in Scottsbluff.These are sugar beets.
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.
