-------------------- We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand... and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late. Posts: 221 | From the hills | Registered: Mar 2006
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
I just got back late last night. Others are still on the road for a couple days.
WE most burned up, a couple different ways. Day we went to Mt Rushmore to see the pres's heads it was only 112*. Day before that only 106*.
Even had Charlie and Jenny saying it was hot and they were complaining it was too cold 'most' of the trip!!
Stopped at 'Wind Cave' which was fascinating of course. 53* alll day every day down 15 stories.(Where we were)
Most amazing is they have 'found' to date that there is 121 miles of caves and tunnels under 1 square mile of earth surface. And MUCH yet to be discovered and 'found'.
We floated about 30 miles of Niobrara river which was quite nice and indeed scenic. Everybody was quite tired and sore after that!!
The 'other' way we most burned up is they had a terrible forrest/grass fire in Valentine Nebraska the day we went to the Pres. heads. It swept up a canyon real close to where we put the canoes in the water, a few days before..
It had destroyed 12 homes according to news reports)in the north part of town and they have evacuated the hospital which we drove right past going to launch the canoes!!! I could still see the thick black smoke billowing up over yonder while I traveled down highway on other end of town late Monday afternoon!!
At this time we were camping and staying at Fort Robinson(150 miles away) which in itself is so unique!!!
They had fire departments from 150 miles away respond (all volunteer fire fighters) called to mutual aid in their try to subdue before more of the town went up in flames. They were working in those 112* heat of the day!!!
News had helicopters and planes dropping water aerially too. Fires are a big problem, like this one was, in this part of the state). Summers are very tinder dry and lightning cracks and there she roars. They get very little rainfall (8-12" yearly total) per year and mostly in off season!!
AS I was driving further east, the National Guard was bringing in reinforcments from 200 miles away. Several jeeps and water trucks I met on there way to relieve weiry firefighters. They (the original volunteer fighters)probably worked non stop thru the night and next day when they had another major flare up head west on a stiff east wind(unusual wind direction there)
I drove thru a small hamlet 24 miles east of the fire and trucks still parked in main street, right where they were when call went out day before. Fire station doors still open and trucks still out, like that moment in frozen time. "ALL" able bodied people were there to rescue, when needed. Thats what makes the midwest so great. Fires or tornadoes will destroy one day and the next a virtuall army of people will appear to 'help out' clean-up, rebuild, and go on!!!
I am just glad that the others allowed me to 'tag' along as it was my 'first ' experience in some parts of the tour!!!Mostly cuz I am --just don-- still with a --sore head--
PS-- I did hone my tent pitching skills(And trying to roll one back up in gale force winds!!) Also slept thru one night of a bellering cow, one night of non stop dog barking, and one night of incessiate train whistles!!! But other than that,,, slept like a log!!!NEVER better,,, makes me want to 'camp-out' EVERY night!!! But was still 'hot' inside the tent till wee hours of morning. I did find a/c comforting at 'home'
AND THE COMPANY,,,"""PRICELESS"""!!!!!!!!!~!!!!!!!!
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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Thanks for letting us know. I have been popping in and out of lymenet looking for a post on the trip. Even did a search and came up empty handed.
I don't think I am well enough to enjoy an outing such as you all had....yet.
Posts: 89 | From AZ | Registered: Mar 2006
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
OOPS!!! --- made a mistake-- It was 113* that day fighting the fire not the measely 112* I previously reported.
Just heard the fire was caused by tree limbs rubbing on power lines and sparks lighting 'dry',,, very dry, grass underneath.
News paper article describes a guy I used to 'know' who lived here 30 years ago.,, describing how neighbors and friends were calling him all the while he was traveling home from a 250 mile trip to see his grandkids. They wanted to know 'WHAT' to save and remove from there house before she exploded in fire. When he did get home he hosed his trees and roof all night and saved his house from danger. But admitted later, probably should NOT have been there!!!
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
fun fun!
when are you going to float in the west?
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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MADDOG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18
posted
Ha!!!! Well i put the fire out after a few beers,had to save the trees for the future.
Well after the float and that, heat I headed to the Wyoming desert ,just to be there.
Then up to the snowy range for a cool down. There was snow next to my camp sight!!!!
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