The mostly straight and flat interstate I-80 that crosses Nebraska has a speed limit of 75 mph, thus making this not only a fly over state, but, for most travelers, a zoom through state as well. We, on the other hand, decided that we would try to see something of the great grasslands –the soul of Nebraska – that make up almost a quarter of the state. So we detoured northwest on scenic Rt. 2 from Grand Island to Broken Arrow and then on to North Platte (back on the interstate) where we spent the night.

This is the Sandhill Region. Geologically it is a huge glacial sand deposit, which rises and falls in dunes and plains. Some places are open exposed sand, such as river banks, but mostly the sand is covered by a thin layer of soil that will support prairie grasses, but little else. We expected to be able to imagine vast herds of bison thundering across the swards of flowing grasses. However we encountered another immutable law of travel – things don’t work out as you had planned.

We left Omaha in driving rain and 40 degree temperature. Some members of the group wondered why we were going to tour on such a day, but the maxim: “Go in sun; go in rain” held sway. At Grand Island there were four inches of snow on the ground and the temperature was 32. We persisted. By the time we were 50 miles into the sand hills we could see snow covered dunes through the gloom but no grasses. Only corn, just like everywhere else in the state. So that thin layer of soil was being used for agriculture even though all of the guidebooks said that it was unsuitable. Bob blamed high fructose corn syrup production; this blog takes no position on the matter other than to note that he ranted on about its evils for some time. A file photo from further north in the state shows what we hoped to find.