7/29-7/30, Fort Kearney, NE

We had a lovely spot near one of the seven lakes at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area.

 

During our short visit in the area we visited The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument.

The Archway is a museum and monument to Nebraska’s and the Platte River valley’s role in westward expansion.

Located directly over Interstate 80 three miles east of Kearney, Nebraska, the Archway spans more than 300 feet and weighs nearly 1,500 tons.

 

 

 

 

The self-guided tour begins in the 1840s with the Mormon Trail, Oregon Trail and California Trail that converged at the nearby Fort Kearny before heading west.

 

 

 

The exhibits display different time periods including a buffalo stampede

The Mormon Handcart Exhibition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pony Express

 

 

 

 

 

The Lincoln Highway

 

 

 

A drive-in movie

 

 

1950s café.

 

 

We ended our exploration of the Archway by going through the maze.  We did end up cheating a little by climbing the steps to get an overview.