North Platte, NE – A Visit With The Grandchildren

From Wall, South Dakota we traveled to Valentine, Nebraska.  Valentine is known as a place where folk send their love letters in February each year for the romantic postmark.  Our plan was to headquarter in Valentine and commute the 135 miles to North Platte, to visit our granddaughter Nina and her husband Brian. 

We pulled into the park in Valentine and went to the office.  Unfortunately, no one was there.  The note on the door instructed us to pick a spot and they would catch up with us later.  We pulled in next to another big rig and set things up.  Our neighbors, Jerry & Terri, were wonderful.  They are experienced full timers and invited us to happy hour.  Good wine, great people, terrific conversation, and some very exceptional olive oil and bread for dipping.  Thanks guys!  We had a great time! 

The park unfortunately was a dog.  It was noisy, with people walking through our site at two in the morning and making noise most of the night.  Our good neighbors pulled out early the next day and we decided one night was enough.  Enough said about a poor park … so far it was the worst park we have encountered … most have been really good.  We review them all on rvparkreviews.com and encourage every other RVer to do the same.  There was no one in the office when we pulled out either … good thing we had prepaid through Coast to Coast.

So it was off to North Platte and Lakeside Park.  It is a nice little park with a very friendly staff that gave us good access to North Platte and our grandchildren.

Quite frankly, if it weren’t for the kids, North Platte would not have been on our list.  As it turned out, that would have been a mistake.  There is plenty to see and do.

Cody Park is one of the nicest city parks we have seen, comparing well to those found in Spokane and other larger towns.  It has a very nice full sized train display with both a steam engine and diesel electric.  When you climb into the engine compartment all of the levers, gauges, and handles are labeled making the experience richer and more educational.  The cars include a mailroom, a caboose, and a passenger car, as well as an historic depot office. 

 The Steam Engine from the early 1940's

 Lynda at the controls ... thankfully everything is labeled!

 Kim enjoying the caboose ... whooo ....  whooo...

The park has a few animals on display and numerous geese around a large pond.  It also has a carousel and some of the best ice cream found anywhere!  By serendipity, our granddaughter stopped by the park on the way back from an assignment and we spent an hour together.

 There are geese everywhere in the park.

We visited the local winery, Feather River, and sampled some very nice local wine.  Linda bought a new t-shirt claiming she “drinks well with others” …  true enough!

 Lynda displaying new shirt and a wine acquisition.

On Saturday we visited Brian’s school (did I mention that he is the new English teacher in Brady, NE … and that Nina is working for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services? … Let’s hear it for higher education!).   

Brady, NE K-12 School

Later that day we took in the Lincoln County museum with Nina and Brian.  An absolute must see!  It has displays ranging from prehistoric marine creatures (including an almost intact prehistoric sea turtle), to items from the everyday lives of the settlers of North Platte.  One of the most interesting displays harkens back to the famous North Platte Canteen where locals provided baked goods, milk, and sandwiches to WWII soldiers and sailors coming through North Platte on the train.  On some days they served thousands of men … and they did this every day!   In addition, the museum has outside displays that include a furnished Sears catalog home, and relics from Fort McKinley.  We were there for four hours and could have stayed longer!

 Nina and Brian admiring the model train display.

 Is this car cool, or what!?

 Lynda working the switchboard ...  Operator, may I help you?

Nina and Brian with the Bison, Kim and Brian on the Merry-go-round ... It worked!  Great fun!

 Inside of the historic school on site.

 Inside of the historic church on site.

 Lynda with the giant sunflower in the museum's garden.

We had several great meals with the grandchildren – don’t miss the bacon wrapped shrimp at Whiskey Creek – or the burrito at Margarita’s!  We ate popcorn at Vic’s (this is a wonderful gastronomic experience – I recommend the white cheese popcorn -- thanks Nina and Brian) and pie at Penny’s Diner.  There are still things left for another visit including Buffalo Bill Cody’s home and state park, the Dancing Leaf Cultural Learning Center, and the Golden Spike Tower that overlooks the massive rail yard of North Platte.  We are looking forward to another visit!

Until next time … do what you love!