Leaving Lincoln, we headed due west on US-34. Clear blue skies, temperatures in the low 20s it was a perfect day for riding. US-34 runs parallel to I-80 and offers a much more agreeable route. We made good time but stopped in a variety of towns along the way. The terrain continued from the day before – corn fields rimmed by deciduous glades – with the occasional ‘specialized’ industry. We saw a ‘popcorn’ operation and a plant that made IAMS dog food.
We followed the North Loup River for stretches, the road designated a scenic byway.
The town of Taylor featured a number of full size cut outs of folks from the pioneer era. We stopped to snap a shot of a couple in a buggy
The corn fields continued north west towards Burwell , but then the terrain changed. The land gave way to rolling grass covered dunes with very few trees. It looked like perfect terrain for a links style golf course. The land certainly wasn’t suitable for anything other than grazing land for cattle. Only problem was there very few cattle in sight. When they did appear, they were all clustered together in low lying areas, where water seemed to be available. It was so different from the cattle in Alberta which are randomly distributed in the countryside. Were they gathering for the water? In anticipation of some weather event? (not likely, it was still clear blue skies). Or are they agoraphobic? It remains a mystery.
A fueling stop in Bassett and a brief stint at an old Philips 66 replica and we headed north to South Dakota, crossing the border near Wewela. Here the land became just straight flat prairie, with nothing but grazing land in each direction.. The route from here was straight and otherwise uneventful. We arrived in Pierre, crossed the Missouri River once again and checked into our hotel.