North Platte

I can tell we are really settling into vacation mode now because we are loosing track of what day of the week it is.  That's actually a nice feeling. 

Above: Breakfast at camp.

No traveling today, so we made waffles and bacon for breakfast and ate outside under the clear blue sky and cool breeze of the morning.  Then we set off to explore North Platte.  This town has a number of interesting attractions.  For starters the worlds largest  train yard is here. This place is massive.  It covers more than 2800 acres, with 10,000 freight cars passing through representing 150 trains each way, every day!  There are over 50 separate tracks in each direction, east and west.  Over 3000 cars are sorted here each day.  

One of the attractions is the Golden Spike Visitors Center.  This 8 story tall viewing tower affords us a full 360 degree view of the yard and the surrounding area.  On top, the boys and I spent almost a half hour talking to a retired Union Pacific Rail yard worker, filling us in on what was going on before us.  It was a fascinating first hand lesson in how freight moves across our country.

From there it was a short drive over to see the home of Buffalo Bill Cody.  Scouts Rest Ranch is here because of its proximity to the railroad.  This made it easy for Cody to move his Wild West Show by train or by wagon right from North Platte.   Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show entertained throughout the U.S. and performed in front of heads of state throughout the world from the late 1800's to early 1900's.  It seemed like a nice enough place, but I wasn't in the mood to pay the fee, so we were soon asked to move along, which we did to Cody Park.

Here in Cody park is the only place in the world where you can see a Challenger steam engine on display.  This engine is the second largest engine ever built next toThe Big Boy.  It was used to pull freight and passengers up to 70 miles an hour.  Cody park is free and you can climb onto the engine and explore a number of other rail cars, a depot and a newer diesel electric engine as well.  

From there, it was back to camp for a restful afternoon and dinner.  I spent some time cleaning and packing up as we prepare for our final push West into Denver tomorrow, where we will spend 4 full days before syncing back up with Missy and Sammi.