We resumed our journey on Historic US 20 under sunny skies with a temperature of 72 at 10 a.m. We’ve begun the warmer portion of our trip as we cross the prairies and farmland. (Many thanks to all you farmers!!) The landscape is beautiful, but very different from the states we have just come through. It is filled with rolling hills, green pastures, rich farmland and endless straight roads. Occasionally we found streams running in the valleys between the hills. It’s interesting to note that, across the state from west to east, the elevation gradually dropped about 2,000 feet from 3,300 feet to 1,300 feet above sea level. It’s so gradual that you really don’t notice it.

Miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles

There are some forested areas, but most of what we saw was unforested farm and grazing lands. These were dotted with trees around the homes and along the road in small towns that we pass through. Peggy finds it interesting when she sees cows all bunched together rather than spread across the open green pasture as far as she can see.

When we were about 1/3 of today’s distance, we had to detour off Rt 20 because a bridge was out. The detour added about 1 hour travel time for today. Whenever Peggy got bored, hot, or tired, she would think back on what this trek must have been like for the pioneers.

Sign of the day east of Plainview, NE: ←McLean 2 miles (Oops, I missed the turn.)