Nebraska Sandhills drive provides beautiful views
The Sandhills of Nebraska provide a relaxing and enjoyable drive.
We checked out the Sandhills north of Sutherland, where we were stating at an Air Bed and Breakfast. Our hosts suggested we take the drive.
We were up and on the road before sunrise. Seeing the sun rise over the rolling hills can be one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Unfortunately, the sun didn’t cooperate with us very well the morning we went out.
However, that didn’t deter us from having a great time on our 20-mile jaunt north.
In case you don’t know what the Sandhills are, they are basically sand dunes with mixed prairie grass anchored. Nebraska was once part of a prehistoric ocean. The Sandhills are only located in northwest Nebraska.
On the west end of Sutherland, the town welcomes people with a Highway 30 mural on an old building. It was a “must photo” opp for me.
Shortly after starting our Sandhills adventure, we stopped at the Bridgewood Creek bridge. The one-lane bridge is 100 years-old.
The creek was a relaxing view – the shallow water just flowing along. We spotted a couple of deer along a bank.
A few feet north, you can take in history with a view of wagon wheel ruts from the Mormon Trail. The Mormons traveled through much of Nebraska en route from western Illinois to Utah in the 1800s.
A “dumb me” moment – I half expected to see a cleared area with the wheel marks. You actually see the ruts that were created in the side of the hill as the wagons moved through the tough terrain. Our hosts told us you can tell by the erosion on the hill. The cattle grazing along the rut area were interesting to watch. They were having breakfast in a historical spot, and they had no idea.
I honestly felt like a kid seeing a physical part of the Mormon Trail. I learned about it as a kid, but still, any time you can see a piece of history, it resonates even more.
We continued our drive north, taking in the site of the rolling hills. The hills just seemed to roll on forever along the route.
Did you know that Yucca plants grow wild in western Nebraska? I didn’t. I always thought they were a southwestern desert plant. The Nebraska Sandhills are technically desert, but still.
We hit a spot in the road that I dubbed “the loneliest place in Nebraska” – a single tree along the roadside, with nothing around but the pavement of the road stretching farther away, disappearing over the crest of a hill.
We drove over that hill. Eventually, we came across a windmill in the middle of a valley.
An old one-room schoolhouse dotted the landscape along the drive.
With all the cattle grazing, you knew there had to be a ranch or farm nearby. We came across a few, but the design of the Diamond B Ranch sign impressed me.
We saw some unique-looking horses grazing alongside the road. They were Shetlands.
Following a trip into North Platte for breakfast, we continued our Sandhills tour with a drive to the Paxton area.
The terrain north of town appeared different than near Sutherland. There seemed to be more Yuccas on the hills and the terrain didn’t seem as smooth. We saw a mule deer grazing on the side of the highway. It raised its head to check us out when we stopped, and then went back to eating.
We drove a few miles farther north. We took a gravel road with a sign warning “Enter at Your Own Risk” – NPPD (Nebraska Public Power District). Following our short drive on the road, we assumed it was because the water basin was next to the road with no barrier.
We stopped and admired some of the beauty of the hills in this area. Then, it was lunch time.
We went into Paxton, home of the famous Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse and Lounge. It’s famous for the more than 200 trophy heads of wild game and other items that have been collected on safaris for more than six decades.
A polar bear stands behind a glass case to welcome visitors.
Other trophy heads in the restaurant include a giraffe and elephant.
Of course, the usual suspects are located around Ole’s – moose and elk, as well as geese, etc.
A few other “exotic” creatures are on display – two Audral sheep frame the trophy of a baboon.
After enjoying a nice lunch (I recommend the French dip), we headed back on the road.
But, first, we saw perhaps the strangest attraction on our road trip. It stood on a corner by itself. We sneaked up on it. Then, Lisa grabbed it with one hand and brought it up to her ear…a working landline pay phone. I haven’t seen one of those on a street corner in quite some time.
After trying to channel Alexander Graham Bell, we decided to head back to North Platte via Interstate 80.
We stopped at the Sutherland rest area. It’s home to an Oregon Trail exhibit. Wheel ruts from that trail are highlighted with wagon wheels in the ruts. Again, it was another connection to our history. Fantastic!
All in all, we had a fun and productive day driving the Nebraska Sandhills. If you travel to the area, head through the hills. You will truly enjoy the view.
