I love the early morning! Colors are saturated, dramatic shadows are cast by the low sun, and there is an awakening. This time of year, too, the drama of Autumn ganging up on Summer, turning a verdant world into one of vibrant colors, makes a drive down to the North Platte River at Bridgeport one I look forward to.
Of course, there are better places to see the Platte in Autumn, but I enjoy Bridgeport, a small but vigorous community on the Mormon and Oregon Trails. Autumn on the North Platte in Bridgeport is just fine with me!
=(^!^)=
At the intersection of Potash Avenue and Kansas Street, the southern most street in Alliance. There is town to the north of Kansas and country to the south.
Wow! What a gorgeous morning this chilly October day!
Looking south down Angora Hill, your first glimpse of the North Platte River valley.
Bridgeport is built on the Mormon and Oregon Trail routes that paralleled the North Platte River, the I-80 of the westward migration in the 1800s.
This monument marks a Mormon campsite on the North Platte, which you can see in the background.
Well, coal trains are a traveler’s woe around these parts. Wyoming coal’s transported by the BNSF and Union Pacific lines to eastern and southern power plants.
Time to head back to Alliance.
Nebraska is flat. (Angora Hill, heading north on US 385.)
Of course, once you get into Box Butte County, Nebraska is flat! LOL! Squint and you just about can see Alliance on the horizon. The double power lines show that there is progress on moving power lines to make way for the Heartland Express. This road is going to be a divided highway in time.
OK, here’s your kitty dose for the day! Andy watched birds out the window while I took a short day trip. No idea what Dougy did.
For a bit of history on the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Route_of_the_Oregon_Trail
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_Trail
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmarks_of_the_Nebraska_Territor
About Bridgeport, Nebraska:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgeport,_Nebraska
About the Platte River:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platte_River
Great pictures, Doug. It’s been years since I’ve driven through Nebraska, I think it was on I-80. We didn’t get to do any sight-seeing, just making time.
Thanks! I show the scene outside the flat out I-80 so people get a better sense of what there is in Nebraska besides flat.
Eu também adoro o amanhecer! Cores vivas e muito frescor! Um abraço!
I also love the dawn! bright and fresh colors! A hug!
Concordo com você sobre esse ponto!
I agree with you on that point!
(I like how you handled Portuguese and English. I will do this for comments in different languages in future. Not all people have access to translation features.)
(Eu gosto de como você lidou com Português e Inglês. Vou fazer isso para comentários em diferentes idiomas no futuro. Nem todas as pessoas têm acesso a recursos de tradução.)
An unusual post ,Doug,.You make us visiit your surrounding . This is a dry place but how much beauiful !
In friendhsip
Michel
Yes, only 394 or so mm of precipitation a year on average! It is a beautiful place, i think, though the beauty is subtle by and large.
Beautiful photos, that is a nice drive.
Thanks! I wish I’d gone down there earlier in the season when the leaves were at their prime, but I had many appointments earlier in the month.
You didn’t stop by the river for some birdwatching? It must be the peak of migration season now…though thinking about it, it’s probably hunting season too. I remember encountering hunters on a horseback riding trail in one of the state parks. I was irritated, though I was dressed in flare orange gear after being warned by friends that the horse and I might be mistaken for a deer. *rolls eyes* I didn’t think people should be allowed to hunt where others were riding or hiking with animals.
Yes, this is prime birding season for just the reason you mention, and Nebraska is on the Central Flyway, as you know. I didn’t, however, go birding. I’m still working yup to that after my illness. I can (and have in past) birded from my car, which sounds strange to many birders, but is a common way Nebraskans do it. That is especially true in Western Nebraska, where there are many diverse habitats and birds ranging from those in grassy plains to mountain and riparian species, all with in a few miles of each other. And don’t forget those backyard varieties! The best birds I ever spotted in my life I spotted in my backyard: Phainopepla, Golden-crowned Sparrrow, and Varied Thrush.
As for the issue of birding vs. hunting, I am very wary of birding in some areas during hinting season for just the reason noted by you. The scariest are bow or crossbow hunters since they can be more stealthy than other hunters because their weapons make less noise when fired.
The light looked like fire and ice.
Pretty cool, eh?! The sky was electric that morning.
That’s what I’m thinking.
The colors were incredible!
We get some color here in Florida, especially where we live in the Forest. The sun came up this morning showing red gold and rose colors. Never the same.
I love skyscapes! Where I live, the sky predominates, and we get wonderful, dramatic skies year around.
Seems to me Key West has a well-known and famous sunrise or sunset, perhaps both. I’m trying to remember where I read or saw that. Do you know?
It sounds like you get some amazing skies where you live, too!
It’s nice to see parts of the country I’ve never seen. Thanks for sharing, Doug.
It gives me a reason to get out of town, so I’ve enjoyed doing this. I need to hit some of the historic places I’ve not gone to yet. There are lots of very interesting places here.
I used to work for a man from Omaha. His father still lived there, and I’d talk to him on the phone from time to time. He’d tell me how flat it was there and he’d describe how he could see big storms coming from miles away. It sounded fascinating.
I live at the far western end of the state, a place with dimension! LOL! Actually, Omaha itself is pretty hilly.
Fall is magnificent
Yes! Though I love Spring, Autumn is (maybe) just a little bit more my favorite season.
I just dropped by to get my dose of catitude
Don’t feel rite if I don’t get it
If you know what I mean
Hope all is well Doug
As always Sheldon
I made sure there was a taste of cattitude for all the people who need a dose of the kitties! It’s the least I can do. I appreciate everyone who stops by for a look!