The last two months in Connecticut we accomplished a lot. Brittany's graduation from Russell Sage, Holly and Kevin's wedding, our routine doctor appointments, and of course visiting with our family and friends. We had fun but it was time again to move on.
We pushed hard and arrived at Cedar Point Campground, Cedar Point, NC early Saturday afternoon June 29. We called Eric and he came to the campground to spend the night with us. We were so excited to have Eric all to ourselves for the night. It gave us plenty of time to hear all about his time in Afghanistan. One thing about being in the Military and deployed overseas is you have a lot of stories and I loved hearing all the stories Eric had.
We spent 4 days at Cedar Point Campground and every day Eric and his buddy Eads came to visit. We were on a bay so you know Eric had to drop a line although he didn't catch anything. Oh did Bev and I enjoy our time with them both. Eric has always found great people to hang around with and his buddy Eads is a great guy.
How did I get so SHORT!
I did have a little excitement on our way through North Carolina coming to Cedar Point. The rear break on the Winnebago started to grind every time I stopped. You know that couldn't be good. At the campground I checked it out and sure enough there was metal on metal on the right rear break.
I was lucky though because I found a great repair shop. Advanced Maintenance, a 24 hour truck repair facility was just down the road from us. I called them Monday and Tuesday morning I brought the camper to their shop. They replace both rear brake pads and the right rotor which was destroyed. The front brakes were still in good shape. Four hours later we were heading back to the campground and the price was very reasonable. I know - I know I should have check the breaks while I was in Connecticut. I thought about it but never got around to it. My bad!
The Cedar Point Campground was a great inexpensive stop. It is a National Campground in the Croatan National Forest. With our Golden Age Passport we stay at all National Campgrounds for 1/2 price. We had and electric site only but we were only there for 4 days and we were able to fill the water tank and dump the holding tanks at the campground. We had a nice level blacktop pad to park on. It doesn't get any better than that.
The name for the Croatan National Forest may have been derived from the "Croatan Tribe" which was one of the Native American Tribes that lived in Eastern North Carolina. When the Europeans first began to settle the area of the Croatan National Forest they found three main ethnic groups, the Tuscarora, Algonkian and Waccamaw. The Croatan forest is thought to have been dominated by an Iroquoian-speaking group of Tuscaroras. We had a great time touring around the area.
Well, although Bev and I were sad to leave our Eric, I'm sure Eric and Eads were glad to get back to their routine and get us out of their hair. Now was the time to point the Winnebago west toward Wyoming.
Again we pushed hard and covered a lot of miles in a short amount of time. We wanted to get out of the east and as far west as we could. Saturday July 6 we arrived at Sunny Meadows Campground, Elm Creek, Nebraska and it was time to stop and smell the roses. It is a Passport America Campground and we get 50% off so we decided to stay here for 4 days. Only $15.00 per night for full hookups. From this point on we will not drive very much each day.
It is very hot here, in the 90s and even hit 100 yesterday. We didn't spend much time sitting outside but we did tour the area.
If you ever drove I-80 through Nebraska you had to pass under the "Great Platte River Road Archway". We passed under in a number of times heading west on I-80 but never stopped. Well today was the day we visited it. It is located in Kearney, NE only a few miles from our campground.
View of I-80 from inside the Archway
The Great Platte River Road Archway is a bridge that pays tribute to the enduring spirit of the pioneers during their trek across America. I did not realize how much was inside the Arch. I thought it was just a bridge crossing the highway with a gift shop on the side. Was I wrong, the Archway brings the westward migration to life.
The Arch is filled with a museum/trail that follows along the trail of time from the start of the first pioneers that traveled in wagons and on foot to the modern day highway it is today. In the Archway you will witness the thrill of an arriving Pony Express rider, the urgency of declaring war spreading over the telegraph wires, a buffalo stampede, the words and faces of those that lived and died on the route, the building of the railroad, the creation of the first transcontinental road (the Lincoln Highway), and today's modern transportation system.
Now this is an RV
No Microwave here
From 1843 to 1869 nearly half a million men, women, and children rode and walked the trails to the West Coast. The distance was vast, the prairie endless, the sky overwhelming and the mountains and wildlife were unlike anything they had ever seen. These pioneers persevered through a strong will and determination, carrying their cherished belongings in wagons or strapped to burros; and pushed or floated handcarts over mountains, rivers and valleys. These early pioneers were shaped by what they saw and experienced, and they have provided America a heritage that is a living spirit that molds our nation's character today.
The first automobiles used the Lincoln Highway, a dirt/muddy road, to cross the country. The cars got stuck and broke down a lot but that was part of the experience. People would camp along the road as they traveled. The Lincoln highway eventually was turned into a paved U.S. Highway 30. When President Eisenhower created the Interstate Highway System Highway 30 became Interstate 80 the road we travel today.
I did not realize the history of this highway until today. What an enjoyable experience this was.
Outside we crossed the River on a foot bridge that led to a walking trail. The trail had displays of Indian and Pioneer life.
For 25 cents you could by fish food on the bridge and feed the fish. Of course Bev had to feed the fish.
A sign said no fishing from the bridge or from the river banks in the area. Boy would Eric love to drop a line here.
We passed by Buffalo and a Pawnee Indian house (Pawnees lived on the prairie in houses and were hunters, gatherers, and farmers.).
Buffalo Wire Sculpture
Typical Pawnee Indian Home
Next we came to a Sod House and typical homestead. At the pioneer homestead a girl in period costume was working hard just is if she was really living on the prairie.
Sod House
It was a fun day and we learned a lot. I really didn't know the history of the area and "the Great Platte River Road".
You can check out the Great Platte River Road Archway at www.archway.org
From hear we hit Arby's for supper and stopped at Walmart to restock some of our supplies.
We will be here one more day and they continue west to Cheyenne Wyoming where we will be camping at the Terry Bison Ranch for 2 days. Then on to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area where we will spend 2 weeks.
Life is good on the road.
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