Back to Hermosa, then Carhenge, Chimney Rock, and North Platte

Thursday, 10/06/2011

Holiday RV Park

North Platte, NE

This week found us going back to the Heartland RV Park near Hermosa, SD, just south of Rapid City.

We got there on Friday, the 30th of September, and stayed for three nights.  We didn’t really do much of anything except relax and take it easy.  The park is very near empty right now.

On Monday, the 3rd of October, we headed out for Bayard, NE, and Chimney Rock National Historic Site.  On the way there we stopped in Alliance, NE, and checked out Carhenge.  This is a replica of England’s Stonehenge.  Being the car nut that I am, and since we were going right by here, we had to stop.  I spent almost an hour wandering around the grounds viewing the various displays and taking pictures.  Here are just a few…

Many of these vehicles still have the full drivetrain still in them including engine, transmission, and rear axle housing.  A few other creations were the “Dino” and the “Spawning Salmon” and an all Ford exhibit called the “Fourd Seasons.”  Also, a couple of “benches” made out of old pickup truck tailgates to sit on and contemplate and reflect.

By the way, it was free admission!

I found a little RV park near Chimney Rock called Pioneer Crossing Campground.

There was a small store/office there…

but as the sign reads, it’s closed for the season.  Luckily, the campground is open year round.  Chimney Rock is a landmark along the Oregon Trail that pioneers used in their navigation west.  As we were approaching the site, I was also looking ahead for it, knowing that our destination was nearby.  Here’s a couple of late afternoon pictures of Chimney Rock from our campsite…

and some of our neighbors…

and a few very early morning views…

and a couple of sunrise pictures.

After taking these early morning photos we headed over to the visitor center for a couple of hours.  The campground is just a mile or so away and very convenient to the site.

We both really enjoyed our time here.  The visitor center wasn’t free, but with our National Parks Pass we were able to save $1 each and get in for just $2 per person.   We highly recommend a visit here if you’re in the area.  Here’s another couple views of Chimney Rock from the visitor center.

After we were done at the visitor center we went back and hitched up and headed out for North Platte, NE.  Instead of taking I80, we elected to take US30 which runs parallel to the interstate.  We both enjoyed this route much more.  We like going through the small towns and seeing the beauty of rural America.  US30 is two lane, but there was very little traffic to deal with along the way.  We arrived late afternoon on Tuesday, the 4th, at Holiday RV Park in North Platte, NE.

Wednesday and today, Thursday, we have just been taking a break and are in kind of a holding pattern.  Another COLD front came through with lots of wind again!  Tomorrow, Friday the 7th, we’re headed for Smith Center, KS.