Travel Blog
Day 6
We observed Sandhill Cranes throughout the Kearney area: corn fields, at the Rowe Sanctuary, and at the Fort Kearney Recreation Area
Day 7
We drive back to Valentine NE along the Wood River, the South Loup River Road, Pressey State Wildlife Management Area, US HWY 83, NE HWY 92, and the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge.
Day 5
Leesha has a hike around Fort Kearney State Historical Park Nebraska. We explore Funk and Gleason wilfowl Production Areas in the Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District. And we take an afternoon-evening drive through the corn fields full of Sandhiill cranes.
Mar, 27 2010
Day 4
A visit to the Museum of Nebraska Art, Alley Rose restaurant, and historic Center Street in Kearney NE.
Day 3
Down US HWY 83 to the Sandhills Scenic Byway and the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest and Broken Bow NE
Day 2
In and around Valentine -- Niobrara Wild and Scenic River, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway, NE HWY 12, Fort Falls, Smith Falls State Park, and more.
Day 1
Wandering through the Sandhills of Nebraska to Valentine NE on the first day of our trip to Kearney NE.
Hiking with Levi, a husky who had more woods smarts than all the rest of us. He saved us several times in the woods.
In our travels, we've discovered the National Wildlife Refuge system, a string of natural jewels for the discerning wildlife-loving traveler.
Here's the description ftom the Fish and Wildlife Service website: "The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the world's premier system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants. Since President Theodore Roosevelt designated Florida's Pelican Island as the first wildlife refuge in 1903, the System has grown to more than 150 million acres, 551 national wildlife refuges and other units of the Refuge System, plus 37 wetland management districts."
The Refuges we've visited so far are usually in isolated and remote areas. Be prepared for gravel roads and very few services such as food and lodging. Also be very tuned into the weather; the access roads can turn muddy and impassible in one storm. These are refuges for wildlife, so come prepared to make as little imapct as possible.
We've visited Ruby Lake NWR, NV; Red Rock Lakes NWR, MT; Ninepipe NWR, MT; Pablo NWR, MT; Moise National Bison Range, MT; Charles M. Russell NWR, MT; Seedskadee NWR, WY; Columbia NWR, WA; Lake Ilo NWR, ND; Bear Butte NWR, SD;...