The High Prarie ll

We are now moving across Nebraska, and moving at rate, the bikers are doing 90 to 100 miles a day and are getting time in hand.   So far, and in just over a month the bikers have pedalled 1,936 miles. Getting on for half way in mileage terms.

It has been an great journey, the high prairie is a very special place with some very  special places.

One of the thing that has changed over the years has been the road and rail networks.  The rail used to be king, small towns would have a means of shipping huge amounts of beef on the hoof or grain via the train.  The small town of Merriman and towns like it had massive grain elevators.

The road to the town was little more than a dirt track up until the mid 50's, then the road got its 'black top'

But the coming of the roads meant the end of he rail. But what did it leave. Well it left grain elevators like this.

This is how the look today, geared for road haulage...

In the town of Sandhills had no less than five banks and was one of the countries largest shippers of beef.

Well it still has the details of the brands that the beef would have had on their sides.

The Wood Lake fire station.

And the post office still takes care of your postal needs.

The scale is very difficult to convey with a photograph, so out comes the 'fisheye' lens.

And the beef hasn't gone away....