The last thing we saw in Gering/Scottsbluff was the Chimney Rock which is located outside of Gering about 20 miles. This is a structure that has been in existence for about 3 million years but has suffered some damage from the hail and lighting over the years. It was a landmark for the Oregon Trail and California Trail. The pioneers would carve their names at the base and as far as they could climb up the cliffs. The land was privately owned up until about 1900 when the owners tried to give it to the National Park Service but they refused it and the Nebraska Historical Society took it and now maintains it. The closest that you can get to the base is about half a mile.
We are now in Kearney, Nebraska until Sunday, then we head to Lewis and Clark State Park in Iowa.
We saw the Great Plains Archway today which is a structure that goes across Interstate 80. Inside there is a museum that covers the wagon trails coming from the east going to the west. It also covers the 1930's to 1950's. Inside you walk across the Interstate and back viewing all the artifacts inside. I will post photos on the next blog entry.
The Indian name for the Chimney Rock is Elk Penis. The Americans traveling this way changed the name to Chimney Rock. This is posted inside the visitor center.
Some pioneers did not make it and were buried here and then others during the 1900's were also buried here as well.
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