We slept fitfully all night because there was a very strong windstorm blowing outside… but the morning dawned nicely.
We rode along with another Airstream couple from Jerusalem… We headed towards Scott’s Bluff National Monument…
In the 1930s the Park Service, with the help of the CCC, constructed this road to the top of the bluff, including three tunnels…
The views from 800′ above the valley floor must be spectacular. Unfortunately, we have smoke-filled skies from the Canadian fires.
A close-up look at the bluff shows the layers: on top, the limestone cap, then alternating layers of sandstone, volcanic ash, and clay… The entire area around here used to be plains at the same elevation of Scott’s Bluff. However, most of it lacked the limestone cap, so over a few million years it has all eroded away to todays configuration…
We walked along the paths trying to see different views. Still smoke all around…
Back down at the Visitors Center we looked at the exhibits. We looked at the bluffs from below…
Then we walked along the real, authentic Oregon Trail…
Next stop was the famous landmark: Chimney Rock…
There was a very nice visitor center…
One of the exhibits showed the Oregon Trail through Nebraska. Note Chimney Rock to the left… (We leave Nebraska tomorrow…)
Behind the Visitors Center is the official view of Chimney Rock:
Chimney Rock is similar composition as Scott’s Bluff, with the exception that there is no limestone cap. Therefore, Chimney Rock is eroding much faster than Scott’s Bluff, and it will soon melt into the surrounding plains…
We returned to the Villa, had a leisurely afternoon… tomorrow we head for Wyoming!
An enjoyable time was had by all…
Adventures in the Villa 