Nebraska and South Dakato (via Cabelas)

We met a fantastic guide at the Western Trails Historic Center in Council Bluffs that gave us some great routes and ideas for our trip. I think the guy was more excited about our trip than we are. At one point, while describing the route we would take, he actually became speechless. These Lewis and Clark historians/guides are really into their work. So anyway, at this guys direction we departed Council Bluffs for Ponca State Park in Ponca, Nebraska. With a forecast for cooling weather.

We arrived at Ponca about sundown and the temperature was well below freezing. Lows during the night got down to the low 20's and we awoke to snow flurries. But the scenery was absolutely beautiful. We packed up and then spent about two hours in their fantastic educational visitor center. We learned all about the history of the Missouri River and current flood control measures for the river. But by lunchtime we had to depart and cross the Missouri (again). We've already crossed more times than we can count as we follow the trail westward.

With the forecast for the next 5 days barely breaking the freezing point, we decided we absolutely had to make a deviation off the trail to head to Cabelas outdoor store. I've been a Cabela's catalog customer for years and was glad to finally complete a pilgrimage to one of their retain stores. Its just like the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World stores but with better products. After a couple of hours and hundreds of dollars, we departed Cabelas with all the gear we need to survive in the frigid Northwest.

We crossed the Missouri River (again) (shown above in the background)before sundown headed west toward Badlands National Park. We arrived there at about 9:30 pm (mountain time-isn't that cool!). Even in the pitch black of a South Dakota night the Badlands looked awesome. We transited the Badlands Loop looking for the Natl. Park campground. On that route we already saw a badger, lots of deer and lots of rabbits. But unfortunately, the campground was closed so we're camping in a motel tonight in Wall, South Dakota. But we're all eager with anticipation for the sun to rise tomorrow morning over the Badlands. We're officially "Out West"!