During the harvest phase of my marriage, I did time at a truck stop in Alliance, Nebraska. That muddy, wheel packed, corner lot of the world was called Terrible Terry's and my memories are not fond. I was determined to gain a new perspective of the state that supplies so much in the way of basic necessities to the world - starch and cholesterol. I had planned two stops of interest - The Golden Spike and Carhenge!
First, a swift drive-by of a Frank Lloyd Wright house and a Carnegie Library building was accomplished and it was north to North Platte. In this city, the Golden Spike tower contemplates the world's largest classification railroad yard at work. You can climb the eight flights of stairs to the observation deck where you will find an engaging view of trains being built and engines repaired. The scene was a delight to old, new and wanna be railroaders. My favorite "old railroader" posed on the windy outdoor deck in view of one of the few railroad yards he wasn't transferred to!
There were some spontaneous moments. For example, we visited this little fixer upper sod house with a welcoming prairie matron. Once occupied by the Rev. Clary of the Methodist persuasion, it was located on the Oregon Trail and had barrel cactus sprouting from the roof. I hope Estee and Jason don't get transferred there.
First, a swift drive-by of a Frank Lloyd Wright house and a Carnegie Library building was accomplished and it was north to North Platte. In this city, the Golden Spike tower contemplates the world's largest classification railroad yard at work. You can climb the eight flights of stairs to the observation deck where you will find an engaging view of trains being built and engines repaired. The scene was a delight to old, new and wanna be railroaders. My favorite "old railroader" posed on the windy outdoor deck in view of one of the few railroad yards he wasn't transferred to!
There were some spontaneous moments. For example, we visited this little fixer upper sod house with a welcoming prairie matron. Once occupied by the Rev. Clary of the Methodist persuasion, it was located on the Oregon Trail and had barrel cactus sprouting from the roof. I hope Estee and Jason don't get transferred there.
Fence posts adorned with cowboy boots started showing up in Nebraska. According to one source this posting was done in memory of one's favorite horse, a hired hand or a rancher who had gone to the great beyond. Or, the boot was simply a signal that the dude was home!
Had I known I was within two miles of Carhenge in the seventies, it might have given my time in Alliance meaning. Diane and I have now visited two interpretations of Stonehenge, one in concrete and one in Chevys. How about those Methodist! According to a historical marker Narcissca Whitman and Eliza Spalding were trail blazers and martyred missionaries, who followed the north side of the Platte river on horseback and became the first white women to cross the American continent. I don't think we are related.
Our "get there before dark schedule" served us well as we left Nebraska and ventured into "Wildlife At Large" Custer State Park. So long Nebraska and thanks for the corny hospitality.
Good riddance Terrible Terry's!
If we get transfered to a sod house, I'm out of the ministry! I'm not going to by martyred when I pioneer my way across the west either. If that's what it means to be Methodist, then I should probably be a Catholic (get it, women Catholics can't be priests!)
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