Nebraska is full of surprises. For example, who would guess that the state is home to North America’s largest hand-planted forest! Come along and discover the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte with curator, James Griffin. A museum highlight is a showcase of the historic North Platte train station Canteen that served coffee and treats to more than six million transiting servicemen throughout WWII.
Classic French cuisine melded with traditional Midwest faire is what you’ll find at the popular Canteen Bar & Grill in North Platte. Chef/owner Charles LaLanne continues the Nebraska Frenc
h-Connection first established when his grandfather emigrated from France in the 1920s.
Next up is visit to the Bailey Yard–the world’s largest railroad switching facility where more than 150 trains come and go every day. A highlight of the switching yard is the eight-story-tall Golden Spike Tower with spectacular vistas of the engine shuttling more than 10,000 rail cars and engines every day.
The Charles E. Bessey Nursery, founded in 1902 and operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture supplies more than 1.5 million seedlings to parks and preserves annually. The nursery maintains day-use and overnight camping facilities, and it’s a popular destination for ATVers. The Sand Hills Open Road Challenge in North Central Nebraska is an annual event held in August. More than 400 race drivers descend from across America and Canada to participate on the closed-highway racetrack, The top Unlimited Class race speed last year was 146 MPH. Join race officials, Tom Witt and Duane Christianson, as they talk about the race—one of only three open-road races in America.
The Bar None Hat Company in Thedford, Nebraska is owned and managed by 35-year-old Kacee Hoffman. Join Kaycee as she shares the process of handcrafting classy cowboy hats. A not to be missed outdoor Nebraska adventure is to raft, kayak, canoe or tube-float down the Wild and Scenic Niobrara River. Join Twyla Graham, owner of Graham Canoe Outfitters in Valentine, Nebraska, as she shares her four-decade experience leading river adventures.
Listen to the show on the Lowell Thomas Award winning podcast Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer featured on NPR.ORG. www.VisitNebraska.com Check out this episode!