We plan to be in the Nebraska panhandle the last week of August. Doyou think the Olde Main Inn is a good base for two nights and three days of touring?

Danna,

I live in the Nebraska panhandle--where is the Olde Main Inn? Let me know what kind of things you're interested in seeing--would love to help.

Tess, I was hoping you would see this. I posted this regarding Chadron NE and it got lost in the search section.

We will stay in Valentine after a VERY long trip from Minnesota. Then two nights in Chadron. I think this is a good base for our exploration in your neighborhood.

I'm looking at the Toadstool and Buffalo Fossil areas around Chadron tthe first day. The next day I think going south to see Carhenge (just can't pass this up) and then to Scottsbluff area for the pioneer trail kind of stuff, with a visit to the vinyard.

I have seen your posts about the great mexican food in your area, I appreciate your promoting of your corner of the world. I think it looks like a really interesting corner of the world my own self!

Thanks for finding this!

It's very odd that this post doesn't come up when I use the state menu search.

Also for Tess, I'm intersted if the Olde Main Inn is a well done restored hotel. We loved the Hotel Irma (erma?) in Cody, WY. I'm hoping this would be like that.

I forgot to add that we would do Ft. Robinson that first day.

Thanks for finding this post. Any insights most welcome.

Danna,

Just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten you--we pulled in an hour ago from watching our son's high school team play in the state soccer tournament (in Omaha--450 miles away--AGH!) and am just taking a quick break from sorting dirty laundry and sweaty soccer gear!

I'll do some pondering about your planned destinations and reply tonight or tomorrow morning

Many thanks Tess. Insights on the best base for our visit would be helpful. We will be in the area for two nights. Liked the Hotel Erma (Irma?) in Cody WY which is an old hotel that was refurbished. It sound as if the Olde Main is is similar. I know it's a bit of a drive from this northern area to the Scottsbluff area, but it looks doable.

Also, any restaurant recommendations most appreciated.

We'll be in the Nebraska panhandle in June.

ttt for more replies, I hope.

Danna,

I think you'll be fine basing out of Chadron. I'm not familiar at all with that B&B so can't help you there. It's about 1 1/2 hours to SB from there but the prairie views are nice. Chadron itself is okay--it's home to Chadron State College but that's about the extent of the excitement.

Another option you might investigate are the accommodations at Ft. Robinson (by Crawford, Nebraska--close to Chadron). I know you mentioned visiting there but I would suggest staying there, too. Ft. Robinson is a perfectly preserved army outpost dating from the 1800's, now a state park. They have converted the officers' houses and barracks into hotel rooms--most have private baths, I believe. The Lodge has a nice restaurant where we've eaten several times (we camped at Ft. Robinson once and my daughter's been to a camp there) plus there's a great indoor swimming pool. Tours are offered and even activities like pottery, etc. In addition, Ft. Rob houses a pretty decent geological museum and there are plenty of hiking trails around (two years later my girly girl daughter still gripes about being "forced" to hike "miles and miles" in the rain at camp--tee hee!). I believe they also offer horseback rides but can't be certain. It would truly been an interesting western vacation experience for you!

Carhenge is fun--you only need allow 1/2 hour at the most there, but it's totally campy and will make a fun photo for your scrapbook. The Carhenge association had worked years on raising money for a visitors' center but sadly, the woman who was Chamber of Commerce manager (I believe) was arrested last year for embezzeling the money. So...no visitors' center yet.

I would suggest traveling south on hwy. 385 (after visiting Carhenge) until you get to Bridgeport. There, get on hwy. 92 and head west. You'll go by Chimney Rock (probably Nebraska's best known landmark). There is a small visitors' center there.

From Chimney Rock, you'll head right into the Scottsbluff-Gering area and the Scottsbluff National Monument.

http://www.nps.gov/scbl/

Definitely take a couple hours here if you have time. There's a nice museum and visitors' center plus you can drive up the monument itself (traveling through tunnels that Franklin Roosevelt commissioned in the 30's as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) ). The view from the top of the monument is amazing. If it's a clear day, you can glimpse Laramie Peak, some 80 miles away.

Let's see--other things to see and places to visit:

--You are not that far from Rapid City and the Black Hills--about 1 1/2 hours of driving. You could make a day of it and see Mt. Rushmore, etc. with little trouble.

--Agate Fossil Beds near Harrison is a worthy destination if you're interested in fossils. We've been there--very interesting.

If you're a Mari Sandoz fan (she wrote extensively in the early part of the 20th century about the Sand Hills--both fiction like 'Old Jules' and non-fiction books)or if you want to learn more about the history of the region, go to Gordon, about 50 miles from Chadron. Mari Sandoz' family ranched near Gordon, Nebraska and the name 'Sandoz' is still around. If you are a fan, read 'Slogum House' before your visit. It tells the true story of a really wretched ranch wife (Gulla Slogum) who forced her daughters into prostitution and her sons into running shady deals for the family's ranch empire. My book club read this book several years ago then took a 'field trip' to Gordon one weekend. We knew that the Slogums' real name was Smith and found the whole clan buried in the cemetery. The creepy thing was that Mom and Dad were in the middle and the gravestones of their 7 children surrounded them--ugh, the kids couldn't get away from them, even in death! There is a wonderful room dedicated to Mari Sandoz in the main street museum in Gordon. The museum also has a brochure listing several Mari Sandoz-related sites on a self-guided tour.

Restaurants:
As I've said in other posts, Scottsbluff is blessed with at least a dozen authentic Mexican restaurants. The best, in my opinion, is Rosita's, located on East Overland in Scottsbluff. Mi Ranchito, off of Hwy. 26, is also very good.

In Crawford, try the restaurant located in an old bank building on their main street. Can't remember the name of it but we've eaten there a couple of times. My husband and son have also eaten in a main street cafe and they raved about the burgers.

If you go to Agate Fossil Beds, stop in the Sioux Sundries in Harrison for one of their HUGE 28 oz. hamburgers. This place has been on national tv and in magazines many times--the burgers are amazing--another good photo op.

That should get you started. Hopefully we'll have lots of rain this summer so the sandhills will be nice and green in August for your visit. We're coming off a horrid 5-6 year drought and are having the first 'normal' spring precipitation since then.

Have a great trip--I'm happy to answer any other questions!

Tess

Many thanks for that thoughtful and detailed response. I'm cutting and pasting even as week speak!

I look forward to visiting your neck of the woods (or hills)!

Oops... meant even as we speak! LOL