In 1862, the Pacific Railroad Act chartered the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroad Companies, tasking them with building a transcontinental railroad that would link the United States from east to west. Over the next seven years, the two companies would race toward each other from Sacramento, California on the one side to Omaha, Nebraska on the other, struggling against great risks before they met at Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869. Construction reached Cheyenne in 1867 and the old historic depot is a point of interest today.
I 80 running across the south of Nebraska runs through grasslands, treeless plains, and wheat/corn fields. I find it surprising to see so much uninhabited land. The small towns grew along the railroad lines or were the site of forts that protected the towns from Native Americans. The Old West, often referred to as the Wild West, encompasses the period after the Civil War the rest of the 1800’s, and the early part of the 20th century up to 1912, when the last mainland states entered the Union. During this time, thousands of pioneers pushed their way westward in search of land, better lives, gold and silver, and sometimes, to escape the law. Geographically, the “Old West” generally applies to those states west of the Mississippi River.
Occasionally some interesting sights are seen on the interstate. Huge headquarters of Sierra Outpost and Cabelas are a surprise to see. Then, we are puzzled by what this is until we see them being installed further up the road. It is a huge wind turbine blade being transported. Then just now, I find this article https://nebraska.tv/news/local/wind-turbine-blades-halted-near-axtell. I learn that Nebraska is the greatest wind corridor in the country; wind farms are plentiful.
We hear so much about Omaha and Berkshire Hathaway so are curious about this city. We find it to be a lovely city that sits along the Missouri River amidst rolling hills and trees. How come there is NO traffic at 6pm? Between Omaha and Des Moines is the largest rural Danish settlement in North America.
Our final destination is Des Moines, where we enjoyed a delicious meal of bbq ribs at Smokey D’s. The Best Western Plus in Altoors is where we end the day.