The next morning Sunday May 19th we continued west and north to
Bayard, Nebraska the location of Chimney Rock and Pioneer Crossing
Campground a small full hook up campground overlooking Chimney Rock
National historic Site.
After setting up we walked the mile on the road to the visitors
center. We had been advised to go past the visitors center to see
the back of the rock it was a longer walk then we wanted to do so we
put it off for the next day. Unfortunately the next day it rained
and it was a muddy road so we never did get to the back. In stead we
drove to Bridgeport, NE a larger town then Bayard for groceries,
propane and DEF (required diesel additive for diesel engines). The
rain continued the next day in fact the rain turned to snow. In
addition worse there were storm warnings in Crawford, NE where we
were headed to Fort Robinson State Park. As a result we called the
park and told them we would come up on Wednesday then I paid for
another night in Pioneer Crossing.
On Wednesday we drove to Fort Robinson it was a mostly dry drive
although in the higher elevations everything around us was
white.When we got to the park and checked in I had trouble getting
into our reserved spot. in fact i ended up off the side of the road
needing four wheel drive to extricate myself.
I also unknowingly turned the lift suspension switch on
dumping the air in the tank causing unhitching problems. I didn’t
realize this and thought the lift broken when I called Classy
Chassis our truck aftermarket builder for advice and explained
the situation Tom Martin the owner immediately told me to check the
switch.
That afternoon we had time to visit the trail side museum and see
two Mammoth Mastodon skeletons locked in a death struggle. One
of the Mastodon's had a damaged tusk when that Mastodon fell the
other Mastodon's Tusk was locked into it and could not be
extracted as a result both died on the spot locked in their death
struggle.
We also had time to go to the Fort Historical
museum and learn the history of the fort through a video and
see pictures and period uniforms as well.
After the museum we walked by some of the forts historical buildings
which are now rented for visitor lodging You can see the snow on the
hills in the background
Thursday we got a slow start and then walked on
the White River Rail Trail.
Following our trail walk we visited to an officers family
quarters in an adobe building and photographed the memorials to
Crazy Horse who was killed by an over zealous trooper when he tried
to escape.
.
Friday we drove to the Toadstool Rocks and Bison Kill when we
got to the dirt road leading to the site a sign said Closed so we
turned around and went back , parked outside the park at the Golf
Coarse and walked back to the park on the White River trail almost
got to where the trail started in the park but decided we had
had enough and turned around. That night we went to the Parks
restaurant for dinner. I had a bison steak followed by apple pie ice
cream and coffee.
.