Day 65 - In Gering - Two Far 2021 - Sooo... Far

June 12, 2021

Day 65 - In Gering

Today was a rest day in Gering. Last night we took a short stroll into the historic downtown. It was a nice area with some interesting old buildings.

Kerry said he was going to visit here this morning, but he didn't make it.

These colorful shrubs were planted along the road. Is this heather??

We spent the morning at the Legacy of the Plains Museum. We've visited several museums of the plains and westward trails. This one was the best. It told the story of this area from fur traders in the early 1800's through farmers into the the 20th century. The exhibits were very well done. I'm posting a few things for you to enjoy.

This is a "bull boat" made from animal hide over a wooden frame. They were good for the flat, shallow North Platte River and used by Native Americans and fur traders.

Two loaded wagons, without their covers.

Items like the spinning wheel were often discarded on the trail or used for firewood.

An accurate depiction of a family following, not riding in, their wagon.

I thought the qualifications for Pony Express riders were interesting.

The largest part of the museum was dedicated to local life and farming from the late 1800's through the 1950's.

We all know what this is now, but I see them in every museum and can't resist!

When I was a little girl, my grandparents had a chicken house that looked very much like this inside. I was very afraid to reach under those hens to get eggs!

Jacques and Pierre, this made me think of you.

Perhaps you, or my other farm raised readers, can help identify this machine. It was in the poultry section, but I couldn't find anything which told what is was.

Ken, from Monte, this is for you. It looks like a forerunner of the thing you identified for us last week.

Beet loader. Sugar beets have been a major crop in the Nebraska panhandle.

Center pivot irrigation is responsible for a big increase in crop productivity - and for crop circles. We have noticed the Valley Sprinkler brand everywhere.

This is a section of the pivot sprinkler

I love learning the derivation of words and expressions. Kerry knew why a non-conformist was called a maverick, but I didn't.

Having done only a small amount of horseback riding, I feel sure that plastic saddles are better for TV cowhands than real ones!

When the snow flies and you still have to get around, what do you need?

Turn your car into a sled with the Snow Bird conversion kit.

Last museum picture - shrinking technology. It shows what is used to take do to what your cellphone can do today.

This is a cool display, but I take exception to the violin. Playing an instrument is an art for which a cellphone is no substitute.

When we finished seeing the museum, we rode up to the Scotts Bluff National Monument. We walked around the Visitors Center, but decided not to make the steep walk up to the summit. It was 90+ degrees and not the best day for a hike.

Today's ride: 5 miles (8 km)
Total: 2,517 miles (4,051 km)

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Kenneth KoehnHi Jeanna, Ken here again. In reference to the machine with the rubber fingers, I believe that is a device used to de-feather chickens on butchering day. They would scald the chickens so the feathers could be removed more easily. The conveyor simply looks like what they would use to elevate the beets from the ground to the truck. Keep up the nice reporting!
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2 years ago

Jeanna & Kerry SmithTo Kenneth KoehnThanks for the information, Ken. We had someone else who knew about the de=feathering machine. We never would have figures that one out.
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2 years ago