Fort Robinson to Mitchell, SD

July 12, 2011

Fort Robinson State Park is a jewel.  It is an old military post from the late 1800s and is filled with history.  I chose not to go see where Crazy Horse was killed.  Yuck!!  Who needs to see that!  Anyone who knows me really well, knows that Native American history is not my strong point.  I think I grew up too close to  Baugo  Creek and all the Indian (yes—we had Indians then) tales my dad would tell me and how he would tell us to duck when we went near the creek or that he saw an Indian in the woods. Anyway—I have been maimed for life when it comes to Native American history by my father's sense of humor.

Fort Robinson also had a POW camp for German soldiers.  Several thousand went through here during WWII and many of them returned to the area after the war.  They were impressed with the farmland and wanted to return.  There was also a large military dog training camp during the same time period.  At one point 1700 dogs were in training at one time.  They would butcher three horses a day to feed the dogs.  They mixed horse meat with other food.  They would use old military horses that were worn out.

After WWII the post was decommissioned and used by the USDA and has gradually given way to a Nebraska State Park.  The park itself is very well maintained and very family oriented.  Most of the original buildings remain.  Families rent old officer’s quarters and barracks.  They have one area that will sleep 60 with a full kitchen that rents for $200 a night.  Very reasonable for what you get.  They also have a lodge—the enlisted men quarters—which is where I stayed.

I finished my paper for my class my first day here and then stayed an extra day to relax and get some reading time in.  It is amazing as to how busy I stay during the evenings.  Probably too much computer time, planning the next day, writing this blog, etc., but it works for me.

They have a post playhouse and I went to see The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  It was cute and nicely done.  The actors are from all over.  They spend the summer at the park and perform several different plays.

Severe storms were predicted for Monday so I made my jeep ride reservation for early in the afternoon before the storms would hit.  My driver –a young man whose mannerisms really remind me of my nephew John, did a fabulous job zipping me around the buttes.  The park contains 25,000 acres, most of which are wilderness areas.  The views are spectacular.  My driver is a student at the University of Wyoming majoring in anthropology with aspirations of owning a micro-brewery. He is a very intelligent young man who will no doubt be successful.  He is from the area and told me that his high school had about 70 kids in four grades.  Most kids are from ranch families and many board at the park during the winter months so they can stay in school.

I met up with a couple from Terre Haute who are traveling US20 as part of a caravan of five VW vans. They are camping in their vans and headed for Yellowstone.

AND today—while heading towards South Dakota—I saw the grocery cart bike man again.  I figured he is riding about 25 miles a day, but he might’ve stopped for a rest like I did.

Today (Tues) is probably my worst weather day.  Fog and mist this morning which finally gave way to a nice day.  I was hoping for better weather as today I drove through the Sand Hill area of Nebraska.  What I could see was beautiful--gently rolling hills with grass covering sand hills.  This area is huge for ranching.  The story is that early on,  a rancher’s cattle strayed into the hills, a blizzard hit, and he had no hopes of finding them.  When spring arrived he went into the hills to see if he could find out what happened to them and he not only found them, but they were thriving.  Hence, a new era of ranching on the sand hills began.

I stopped at the Quilt Cupboard in Valentine.  The store owned by a woman about my age, is in a home that was built in the early 1900s.  The owner re-finished all the woodwork, re-finished the floors, new windows, etc.  She said it was her husband’s idea for her to have a quilt store. Can you believe it?  Laura and I often dream , scheme and talk about how fun it would be to own a quilt store and I don’t think either one of our husbands would encourage this idea. Her husband took her to town on Christmas Eve and asked her if she wanted to own this house.  She thought he wanted it as a rental, but no, he thinks it is a  great location for a quilt shop.  He is a rancher.  The store is beautiful and features a wide array of fabric.  I was a very good girl.

My chuckles today include discovering the world’s most boring job—holding the stop sign during road construction on an empty road with no traffic.  I was the only car and this person—couldn’t tell if it was a male or female, stood there holding the stop sign in front of me and only me, until the lead car returned about 12 minutes later. I shut the car off and read a book.

My radio stations were limited to the Native American station or NPR’s classical stuff that grated on my nerves.  I enjoyed the local station.  Especially when they did the birthday list:  John Lame Arrow, Susan White Deer, and Mary Bluebird all had birthdays today.

I ended my day in Mitchell, SD and am looking forward to starting the Laura Ingalls Wilder portion of my trip in the morning.  I will head to DeSmet fairly early and end my day in Mankato, MN.  Minnesota’s government is still shut down—I’ve heard people complaining about it.  Rest areas are closed as well as all state parks.

It is hard to believe that I have been away from home for almost a month.  My how time flies when you are having fun!!!  I am so lucky to be doing what I am doing.