Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 22:09:44 -0700
Reply-To: Gary Bawden <goldfieldgary@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Gary Bawden <goldfieldgary@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Sights to see in the plains states (LVC)
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Greetings, fellow Vanagonauts,
The other day I mentioned that Nebraska is home to some surplus
stores. The one I'm thinking of is the sort of place you Westy owners
could pull into, go browsing, and the next day (or three), you'd have
the solution to opening your top with the eight kayaks, three mountain
bikes, and six large bear-proof containers on top. I envision an
electric-over-pneumatic switch on the dash, which, when depressed,
would assist your top to open with the help of a pair of air
cylinders, powered by a nifty belt-driven compressor you were able to
bolt on somewhere on your anemic 1.9 waterboxer. And for those of us
who just have the plain-vanilla Vanagons, surely something
steampunkish would come of a visit!
Then I got to thinking about the poor old maligned plains states in
general, and how true it is that most folks find crossing them rather
boring. And I'd have to say that if you're in a hurry and are forced
to take the Interstate, it's pretty hard to pick out any interesting
features, no matter where you are.
So, IF you have the time, here's a short list of stuff to see in (some
of) the plains states:
Nebraska:
Lincoln has Burden's Surplus, 1015 W. O Street (see above)
Minden has Pioneer Village, which is home to a steam-powered
merry-go-round, complete with an asthmatic calliope. Also exciting to
gearheads is a huge collection of early engines, including outboard
motors.
Sydney has Cabela's flagship store, containing their bargain basement!
Kansas:
Just west of Emporia is the Flint Hills, which is one of the last
remnants of the great plains that was spared the plow.
Mushroom Rock State Park may not be on a par with Arches National
Monument, but still, rocks in Kansas...woo-hoo!
Speaking of Kansas rocks, check out the mile upon mile of hand-hewn
limestone fenceposts, a testament to the pioneer's versatility.
The Dakotas:
Somewhere I read, years ago, that either North or South Dakota had the
world's tallest radio tower. Worth seeing? Your decision!
So obviously this is not an exhaustive list. I just like to point out
from time to time that to really enjoy the sights, you've gotta get
off the Interstates! And the coffee? Pretty bad, all right, but who
cares? We can take our own fixins' with us!
Gary
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