The Great Plains

Nebraska seems to have big skies and long views. After leaving Lincoln this morning, we saw a thunderstorm ahead. It was dark clouds and lightening far in the distance. We actually saw the entire weather system, with blue skies on either side of the thunderstorm. At one point I used the odometer to measure how far ahead I could see - the land was flat enough and the scenery scarce enough, that I could see a water tower 10 miles away! When the Great Plains begin in Western Nebraska, you know it. There are very few trees; it's all small hills and grass. The rest stop sign said it used to look like a desert before settlers started irrigating. Now it's ranches with cattle, fields of hay rolls, and a few windmills. When we reached Wyoming, we started seeing oil wells and the drive into Cheyenne was dominated by a large oil refinery. We're staying in Cheyenne's Rodeway Inn tonight. This may be the worst motel we've stayed in so far. It seems safe enough, but the furniture is battered, the parking lot is pitted, the laundry isn't working and the outdoor pool is empty - drained - in the middle of June! But we're tired, we'll sleep well, and tomorrow we push on to Salt Lake City.