Kearney and Valatine - Nebraska

After leaving Wichita, Kansas we stayed overnight in Kearney, Nebraska.  We went though lots of wide open spaces with few trees and even fewer hills to get there.  We now know what the Dixie Chicks were singing about.

Kearney is strategically located on I-80 with convenient access to major markets like Omaha-Lincoln, Denver, Kansas City, Des Moine, Wichita and Cheyenne.  It has many museums and interesting buildings.

 It is typical of may of the towns in the USA featuring wide streets made of stone.

There are some magnificent homes.  This mansion is located in the University grounds and was one of the first to be built with electricity and running water.

Valentine was founded in 1883 when the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad was extended to that point and it was named for Edward K. Valentine, a Nebraska representative. It was nearly destroyed two years in a row: a large storm with extremely high winds caused extensive damage to trees and buildings in July 2005, and in July 2006 the "Big Rock Fire" engulfed over 3,000 acres (12 km2) of land.
This city participates in an annual re-mailing program where thousands of pieces of mail flow into the local United States Post Office so that they can be re-mailed with a special Valentine's Day postmark and verse.
In 2007, National Geographic Adventure magazine included Valentine in its list of the best ten wilderness towns and cities.  It has some interesting things to do and see.

More to follow.

Best wishes,
Beverley and Ross