There’s nothing quite like driving along a long stretch of quiet road. It makes you feel like you can go anywhere and become anything. This summer, the kids and I spent a week in Nebraska, starting in Lincoln and winding our way out to the Nebraska Sandhills.
The Nebraska Sandhills weren’t what I expected. You don’t really see the sand, unless you count what lines lake and river bottoms, as the hills have been grassed over. What you see is the open, rolling prairie.
I recently read that Nebraska has a new tourism campaign. It’s, “Honestly, it’s not for everyone.” There’s some truth in that, as parts are rural. Very rural. Like you’ve entered a time machine and gone back 100 years.
But sometimes when there’s not much to do, there’s something rich to be learned.
Tubing in the Nebraska Sandhills
Like helping one another, because without distractions you see people. And when you travel, you really see people. Because often the people you meet are not like the people you know.
Getting outside your social circle and feeling just a tad uncomfortable as you try to adapt to your new surroundings can change how you see things. And feel for others.
Or slowing down as a family while tubing down the North Loup River. It got hot under the sun, so I was glad for the Gatorades we brought. I was also glad for the potato chips, but I’m always glad for potato chips.
Eco Tours in the Nebraska Sandhills
We also went on an eco-jeep tour with Calamus Lodge and saw cows caring for one another’s calves. They peered up at us with fat doe eyes, and scattered when our jeep approached. It’s beautiful to see what vulnerability in nature can bring. Cows helping cows.
Read about our journey in The Star Tribune.