Ep. 154: Pine Ridge | Nebraska RV travel camping hiking MTB history panhandle

We promise that this isn't the #Nebraska that you think you know! We're kicking off our #AmericanHeartlandTour2020 in the Nebraska Panhandle, boondocking atop Pine Ridge in the Nebraska National Forest. We'll explore the area including the history of #Chadron and the region's European origins at the Museum of the Fur Trade, the historic Fort Robinson State Park, Chadron State Park, Toadstool Geological Park and #Carhenge. We'll also do a little #mountainbiking, and enjoy the sights and sounds of #camping on the western Prairie.
Filmed: May 17-23, 2020
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:59 Pine Ridge
6:23 Chadron State Park
7:45 Museum of the Fur Trade
11:55 Town of Chadron
13:20 Fort Robinson State Park
15:10 Toadstool Geological Park
18:41 Carhenge
22:30 American Heartland Tour 2020
23:17 Wrap-up
FOR MORE INFORMATION
* Our campsite goo.gl/maps/EXWknRJpQwgSUe9Z6
* Chadron State Park outdoornebraska.gov/chadron/
* Museum of the Fur Trade www.furtrade.org/
* Fort Robinson State Park outdoornebraska.gov/fortrobinson/
* Toadstool Geological Park www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebra...
* Carhenge goo.gl/maps/LaJprycLMeTTCxNw7
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ABOUT US
Welcome to Grand Adventure, a KZbin channel that focuses on RV-centric outdoor activities including not only of course camping, but also mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing and more, always filmed in stunning 4K.
We're based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and invite you to come along as we travel all around the western U.S. My wife Patricia and I, and dog Zoe are avid boondockers, so you'll seldom find us in RV parks or even dry campgrounds. Instead, we're usually camped in some of the most remote and beautiful spots that you could ever pull a travel trailer into. And unlike most other RV channels on KZbin, we're not RV dealers or full-timers -- we're "long-timers" who tend to hit the road for weeks or months at a time, while maintaining a sticks-and-bricks home in Utah.
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[@jimschmitt3453]

Loved your video. We just finished a five year project of planting 12000 pine trees at Chadron State Park to replace what was lost by a wild fire. Boy Scouts of Longs Peak Council, I was chairman of the event and very proud of what we did!

[@GrandAdventure]

And well you should be, Jim! Thank you for your contribution to the sustainability of the area. We couldn't help but wonder about some of those views without the wildfire devastation.

[@angelawierda760]

😇🙏💚❤💚🙏💚❤💚🙏😇

[@BillSprague]

All I can say is thank you for helping preserve one of the most beautiful parts of this great country. I was a Scout and this is what Scouting is all about!

[@TheBruceGday]

Thank you Marc! I am so glad that Marc provided this window into Nebraska! I-80 across Nebraska is the worst scenery it has to offer. More people should try crossing Nebraska following routes off I-80! Route 20, Route 26, and Nebraska Route 2 are highly recommended! The northern tier, across on US Route 20 is quite scenic. The Pine Ridge is the best part of Nebraska! Also the area surrounding Valentine, Nebraska on Route 20, and the Niobrara River is stunningly beautiful! Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest, Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge and Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, and the area are so gorgeous, literally! There is a deep river valley with ancient forests and a habitat more like the Rocky Mountains with aspen trees. There are many lovely waterfalls in this river gorge. The Niobrara around Valentine is supposedly fantastic for Kayaking! I have only just visited Valentine briefly. I really want to go back and spend a few days seeing all there is to see around there! In addition to US Route 20, there is US Route 26 following the North Platte River, following the Oregon Trail through more piney bluffs like Scottsbluff, and the Wildcat Hills, and passing Chimney Rock. Nebraska Highway 2 from Alliance heading east through Hyannis, Thedford, and Halsey, passes through the Sandhills. While mostly treeless, the Sandhills are an amazing deep emerald green, very hilly, and is full of beautiful water features. Water is everywhere and allows for all the green. On Highway 2, outside Halsey, Nebraska is another section of Nebraska National Forest. This section, called the Bessey Unit, was hand planted beginning in 1902. The Bessey Unit is the largest human planted forest in the world! I have tent camped there in the past and it is spectacular. The Forest Service still maintains a nursery there and continues to plant in the Sandhills. US Route 20 discussed above passes through the Sandhills as well, but is drier and less scenic than the Highway 2 route (but still pretty and help make the Highway 20 route worth it). Then there are the loess hills and forests following the Missouri River along the eastern border. Nebraska City and Arbor Lodge, home of Arbor Day and the Arbor Foundation, Indian Cave State Park, and Brownsville, Nebraska are all worth visits. Hopefully Marc might have a chance to pass back through Nebraska on his return west, or perhaps a future trip East into Nebraska. More beautiful video at the hands of Marc’s drone combined with a fabulous score of music would open more eyes to the absolute beauty to be found in Nebraska if you leave I-80 and take the time to not just pass through. A good trip across Nebraska is to take any route off I-80 to Grand Island, Nebraska (US Route 30 from Omaha through Columbus to Grand Island is a good choice), then pick up Nebraska Route 2 to Alliance (Car Henge). Then south to pick up US Route 26 through Scottsbluff. This route also takes you through Fort Laramie, Wyoming, a great historic site, then Guernsey, Wyoming and Register Cliff where Oregon Trail pioneers carved their names into the rock. Then through more pine ridge scenery and Guernsey State Park to I-25 and a gateway to Wyoming and the Rocky Mountains. Either this route or US Route 20 are excellent ways to travel Nebraska more slowly and more scenically than I-80. Like Marc, I’m from the Rocky Mountains (Wyoming instead of Utah). I have had several opportunities to explore and found some great places in Nebraska! Thanks again, Marc for this fantastic video! I am glad for people to see that Nebraska can be a good place to travel!

[@GrandAdventure]

Bruce, we can't wait to put your tips to good use! Thank you so very, very much for this!

[@adams8132]

Nebraska is about as interesting as a cemetery. It is boring and ugly from East to West.

[@billhosko7723]

Nice commentary. Ty!

[@markreynolds9570]

Marc, Thanks for putting some light on Nebraska. So far the heartland tour is the best I've seen. You have made light of places people think is just a waste of time. Keep up the great work. These places will land on my list for sure. Great American history lessons are Grand Adventures.

[@GrandAdventure]

Appreciate that very much, Mark! It's a fun series for us to produce, especially as we're out of our element in so very many ways.

[@markreynolds9570]

@@GrandAdventure I understand that, but it's the adventure of going there. Your helping alot of people out, showing things like this. It also helps the locals. That farmer didn't even realize that you could camp there. I sure was watching.

[@CaffeineCrash]

Had no clue places like this even existed in Nebraska, thank you for sharing!

[@GrandAdventure]

Neither did we until we started poring over maps. That's definitely one of the joys of discovery.

[@upriver7047]

Take highway 12/20 across from east to west and you wont believe the beauty and the views. Stay off of I-80, not much to see in that part of the state.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@upriver7047 that's been our experience thus far.

[@CharlesinGA]

Absolutely overjoyed that you were able to give the Museum of the Fur Trade top billing. It is a must see for anyone traveling thru the area interested in history. There are so many things in the area to see and do that it is a trip unto itself. Thank you!

[@GrandAdventure]

It was on your recommendation that we made it there, Charles. Thank you.

[@MrChip9821]

Hey Mark, thanks for the reviews. My wife and I are taking a trip this September and we are staying at three places where you've made videos. This is one of them. Don't think i would have found them without you 😁

[@GrandAdventure]

Our pleasure, have a safe and wonderful trip!

[@stuwardw]

Very cool video, as always. You definitely don't need to travel too far away to find great places, thanks for the inspiration!

[@GrandAdventure]

You're most welcome, Stu, and thank you!

[@teresaheath6733]

So glad I watched. I never would have thought of stopping in Nebraska. Beautiful. Can't wait to finally have an RV and be able to Boondock. My husband I always enjoy your videos. Stay safe and healthy!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Teresa! We're thrilled that we can turn you on to a part of Nebraska that would surprise many people.

[@marianfrances4959]

So cool about the solitude! We shocked a rancher while boondocking in Wyoming in Feb! Lol. Really enjoyed this, Mark. Thanks! 😉🇨🇦

[@GrandAdventure]

Appreciate that Marian, thanks so much.

[@gregmoore8609]

Dude, I love your stand and deliver style, and the beauty of the drone footage in this video. Today's Tom Sawyer on the sand and grass! Thank you!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank YOU Greg! The lighting for the drone footage in this episode was so special, we really enjoyed filming that. We were very fortunate.

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

Nebraska in the Spring looks really nice. now on my list. love the drone shots.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Joe! We truly enjoyed our week there.

[@garyjordan299]

Marc , you are the best at presenting Fantastic videos. Thanks, friend! Looking forward to the next!! Stay safe

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Gary, we look forward to bringing you the next one from Pierre, SD.

[@Paul.Douglas]

Wow! What a find!

[@GrandAdventure]

Indeed it was.

[@iker1644]

Cool Beans on Nebraska Camping.

[@michelleekins1406]

👏🙌 another example of excellence, thanks!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Michelle!

[@lnazworth]

Another great video!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

I wish I could just follow you around. You go to the greatest places. Weird. No boondocking? That’s one happy pup running ahead as you biked. Talk about wide open spaces. Wow. Great footage. Cool. First state park in Nebraska in the 1920s! I love history like this. Great museum. They have an amazing collection. Adding to my long list. Moved the entire town? Sounds like a movie. A lot of history at that fort. I so want to see toadstools. Carhenge. I’m into stuff like that. Not Larry. But he will take me. The animals made from car parts are very creative. Shame about the graffiti. Reservations? Say it isn’t so 😂. Very very little boondocking in Florida. You packed a lot in this one. Another great time. Thanks. Alice

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks as always Alice! Regarding moving the entire town, the first thing I thought of was the final scene of Blazing Saddles. 😅 And as for the graffiti at Carhenge, that's on purpose -- that car is dedicated to people adding their own paint job.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Grand Adventure love Blazing Saddles. Huge fans. That’s why our RV is Barf and truck is Lone Star 🤣. Good to know about graffiti. I guess I missed that. Thanks. Alice

[@GrandAdventure]

@@DownsizingMakesCents nope, you didn't miss it. We didn't explain that in the narration.

[@michelleekins1406]

Another Wednesday and looking forward to another great video!🙂

[@GrandAdventure]

Looking forward to seeing you there, Michelle.

[@michelleekins1406]

Going to watch it on the 60 inch tv tonight.

[@bhuff123]

Your video this week was very good and was a good mix between the local scenery and the local attractions in your explanation of the countryside. The part I like the best was when you showed the scenic view of the countryside the mountains the Meadows it all looked beautiful and was absolutely gorgeous photography keep up the good work and have a good day bye-bye

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always, Clark! Your comment means the world to us.

[@Tott56]

I love western Nebraska, you can see for miles and just wonder, what is that out in the distance, Chadron state park is a treat too

[@GrandAdventure]

We loved our time there CC!

[@laureng8175]

Another great video of an underrated part of our country. Well done and safe travels! We are heading to the midwest ourselves to visit family this next week. Looking forward to the green, lush grass and trees - but not so much the mosquitoes!

[@GrandAdventure]

Yes Lauren, we're kind of in that boat ourselves. The green is wonderful, the need for DEET is not.

[@daviscrt]

Wow, very cool. Thanks for sharing the fire road number. That's amazing how no one boondocks there.

[@GrandAdventure]

We thought the same thing, Don.

[@dwangreen3651]

Amazing at the end of Sand Hills. Enjoyed! On the way soon.

[@GrandAdventure]

Have a wonderful trip, Dwan.

[@jeffl8246]

Amazing Marc. Seriously top notch RV travel content. Thanks for all you do and share.

[@GrandAdventure]

You're very kind, Jeff. Thank you so very much.

[@annesavage9036]

I think it would be easy to practice "social distancing" at the CarHenge Restaurant!!! :) Great video, Grand Adventure!!!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Anne!

[@josephscheneck1540]

Marc, thanks for doing this video. we had no idea that part of Nebraska was so beautiful!

[@GrandAdventure]

We honestly didn't realize ourselves that Nebraska included places like this, until we started poring over topo maps and satellite imagery.

[@TheBruceGday]

Joseph Scheneck I am so glad that Marc provided this window into Nebraska! I-80 across Nebraska is the worst scenery it has to offer. The northern tier, across on US Route 20 is quite scenic. The Pine Ridge is the best part of Nebraska! Also the area surrounding Valentine, Nebraska on Route 20, and the Niobrara River is stunningly beautiful! Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, and the area are so gorgeous, literally! There is a deep river valley with ancient forests more with habitat more like the Rocky Mountains with aspen trees. There are many lovely waterfalls in this deep river canyon. The Niobrara around Valentine is supposedly fantastic for Kayaking! I have only just visited Valentine briefly. I really want to go back and spend a few days seeing all there is to see around there! In addition to US Route 20, there is US Route 26 following the North Platte River, following the Oregon Trail through more piney bluffs like Scottsbluff, and the Wildcat Hills, and passing Chimney Rock. Nebraska Highway 2 from Alliance heading east through Hyannis, Thedford, and Halsey, passes through the Sandhills. While mostly treeless, the Sandhills are an amazing deep emerald green, very hilly, and is full of beautiful water features. Water is everywhere and allows for all the green. On Highway 2, outside Halsey, Nebraska is another section of Nebraska National Forest. This section, called the Bessey Unit, was hand planted beginning in 1902. The Bessey Unit is the largest human planted forest in the world! I have camped there and it is spectacular. The Forest Service still maintains a nursery there and continues to plants in the Sandhills. US Route 20 discussed above passes through the Sandhills as well, but is drier and less scenic than the Highway 2 route. Then there are the loess hills and forests following the Missouri River along the eastern border. Nebraska City and Arbor Lodge, home of Arbor Day and the Arbor Foundation, Indian Cave State Park, and Brownsville, Nebraska are all worth visits. Like Marc, I’m from the Rocky Mountains (Wyoming instead of Utah), but have had several opportunities to explore and found some great places in Nebraska!

[@GrandAdventure]

@@TheBruceGday so true. In traveling from Pine Ridge to the site of tonight's episode from Aberdeen, SD we drove a good stretch of US-20 through the Sandhills. We'll share some Loess Hills scenery in next week's episode, too.

[@TheBruceGday]

Grand Adventure Marc, I am so glad you visited Pine Ridge! I love ❤️ Fort Robinson State Park especially! If you have a chance on your return trip, may I recommend Nebraska Highway 2 from Ravenna, Nebraska up to Alliance, then down to US Route 26 through Scottsbluff. The Sandhills and Nebraska National Forest Bessey Unit, the largest human-planted forest in the world, are well worth it! There are some great places to boondock out in that forest.Take a MUST see side trip from up US Route 83 from Thedford to Valentine, Nebraska. You will absolutely LOVE Valentine and the Niobrara River for Kayaking! The river valley is stunning and the forests there are ancient and go back in time. It is a somehow isolated and forgotten island of Rocky Mountain forest ecosystem! The waterfalls along the river are gorgeous!

[@GrandAdventure]

@@TheBruceGday well, aren't you the true wealth of information! 😁 We're very grateful, and should we find ourselves returning via Nebraska we'll take a good long look at your suggestions. Otherwise they're great fodder for our next trip through Nebraska, whenever that should be. Thanks again!

[@dannyburrell4014]

This really changed my preconceived notion of Nebraska . Will have to put this on the list of places to camp.

[@GrandAdventure]

Glad to hear it, Danny!

[@BillSprague]

This end of the Sand Hills simply beautiful in its desolation. My wife would read aloud books about the pioneers as we drove through the on numerous trips to Laramie to take our sons to and from the University of Wyoming. I’m a UWyo alum, so I’m partial to the region. I have rancher friends in Harrison, NE and Moorcroft, WY.

[@GrandAdventure]

We actually stayed in Moorcroft back in our Devil's Tower episode, and I walked over to a little local tavern in town at night to mix with the locals. I had a blast! Over the past few years I have developed an affinity and appreciation for the prairie that I truly never had before in my life. You stated it very well, Bill, it is beautiful in its simplicity and its desolation.

[@brendaschroeder2166]

Beautiful video. Thank you for it Always look forward to the next one

[@GrandAdventure]

And we look forward to bringing the next one to you, Brenda. Thank you.

[@garymann5998]

Great video, the heartland has a lot to see, most just drive through not checking places out like you, love your music too .🙂👍

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you very much Gary!

[@jimh.8138]

Fort Robinson was always one of our favorite stops when we traveled through that part of Nebraska. Thanks for renewing the wonderful memories of those travels.

[@GrandAdventure]

Happy to be there for you, Jim.

[@markbabcock40205]

Another outstanding video Mark & company. Fantastic history and commentary. On my list to visit!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks as always Mark!

[@jeandecker4073]

Another fantastic video. Looking forward to your upcoming adventures.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Jean! We look forward to bringing them to you.

[@beach3girl459]

Always thought of Nebraska as flat and, frankly, rather boring. I stand corrected thanks to your video. That is one thing I love about the west...elbow room and amazing views! Look forward to your eastern travels.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much. We definitely thought of the Pine Ridge area as the "anti-Nebraska" based on our previous travels. As you'll see in coming weeks we found the northeastern corner of the state to be equally compelling.

[@expeditionme9794]

That was one healthy pigeon. Love the video

[@GrandAdventure]

You probably don't want to hear this, but... The entire time I was at Carhenge I was the only person there. That was wonderful for filming. I made sure to get a few clips of the pigeons. I finished by flying the drone from the parking lot. As I was there, an Alliance city cop pulled into the parking lot, got a shotgun out of his trunk and began walking out into the field. We exchanged words, and it turned out he was there to dispatch the pigeons. My drone was still in the air, so I asked if he could wait until I got a few more shots as I didn't think our viewers were interested in seeing that.

[@expeditionme9794]

Grand Adventure wow! What a filming adventure. Well you got some great shots and a great story too.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@expeditionme9794 very true. He joked that maybe it would attract a different type of viewer. He was a young guy, ex-military, and he asked if he could watch my drone operation as he was fascinated by them. We had a great conversation about makes that area tick. Ironically, it was my third cop encounter while filming this episode, for on two separate occasions I was pulled off on the side of the road to film (one of those times was when I was flying over the road in the first clip of the Carhenge segment) when a Nebraska State Police officer pulled over to make sure that everything was OK and I wasn't broken down or something. All were very friendly and welcoming.

[@JodysJourney]

Coldest week I ever spent was a day in Chadron, Neb. Haha. College football game. But it is beautiful up there. Thanks for touring our Midwest. We are definitely more than flyover country.

[@GrandAdventure]

Absolutely you are, Jody. We are enjoying ourselves immensely.

[@CampTravelExplore]

Great start to your American Heartland series! Well done! Love the flag on your TT! Sorry I keep missing the episodes at the premiere! I have never been to Nebraska, thanks for giving me the preview!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Tom! Appreciate it.

[@HankDanico]

Love the videos. I am in the north east and starting my Grand Adventure this year. You are right there are very few free camp sites in the area. I do plan on visiting them. This years plan is to work out the kinks and get my rig in shape for long boon-docking stays. Your videos have given me great plans for future places to visit. Thank you for your work.

[@GrandAdventure]

So happy to hear it, Henry! Here's wishing you some marvelous adventures on your travels.

[@HikeBikeWalkRide]

wow, that was a amazing campsite! I am so glad I found your channel.

[@GrandAdventure]

And we're thrilled that you found us, Helene. Thank you.

[@jwrappuhn71]

Marc, you outdo yourself brother, that vid was Fantastic, beautiful out there.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much! Glad that you enjoyed it.

[@tinag9263]

Nice video excited to see your upcoming journeys start safe

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Tina!

[@davidhinz2465]

Thanks, we have made over 100 trips crossing Nebraska but you showed us some great new places to see

[@GrandAdventure]

Glad to hear it David! Say hi to Julie and give her a big hug from both of us.

[@freddileehowell8688]

Thanks for the update on camping opportunities this summer, Marc! I really want to head out, but want some idea of what to expect for summer 2020 camping circumstances. Happy trails, Gatorwoman 👵🏼

[@GrandAdventure]

Freddilee, it of course largely depends on what states you plan to visit. We've truly had no issues in our travels, and we're now as far east as Tennessee. Campendium is keeping a great state-by-state situational roundup that they're updating daily: www.campendium.com/camping/covid-19-state-by-state-campground-closures-responses

[@hollyparker4554]

So happy you are going East!

[@GrandAdventure]

It's definitely a change for us Holly, but we're certainly enjoying the trip.

[@idahoblessing]

Another job well done!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much as always, Terry!

[@fwagoner]

Very informative video! Thank for the info. You do a very good job.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you RVF! You're most welcome.

[@laughingram7287]

Wow! Another packed video! First.... nice to see the flag.👍🏼 The cinematography was great and the music matched perfectly! 👍🏼👍🏽 What a camping spot you found! Even the others you showed didn’t look bad at all either. All the historical information was very interesting. Nebraska...... haven’t thought about going there....it looks worlds away from from what’s going on in the rest of the country. We’re not quite ready to move from California yet, but it would be a cool destination for a camping trip. Thanks Marc!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much as always, Ram. You can find beauty just about anywhere, some places you just have to look a little harder than others to find it. We've been very happy to be places where the only hint of what's taking place everywhere else is on the news. After leaving Pine Ridge we struck out across South Dakota, then back into the northeast corner of Nebraska, and there were beautiful things to see all along the way. We look forward to sharing that with you over the next few weeks.

[@curthiggins8792]

Ahhh, home again! Thanks Marc, for the trip down memory lane. You will likely take highway 87 north out of Rushville which goes by my family’s 1879 homestead where I spent my youth! Enjoy 🤩

[@GrandAdventure]

We certainly did, Curt -- thank you. Alas, we headed east out of Chadron on US-20, then angled north-northeast to get to Pierre for the next episode.

[@SeanOLennon]

Excellent video and fine narration.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you John!!

[@NickandRachel]

Well those mountains are really beautiful! Thanks for sharing

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you!

[@NickandRachel]

@@GrandAdventure no problem. We really enjoy making outdoor content also

[@mricet1005]

Marc, thanks for this information. I'm on a maiden voyage after downsizing from my 41 ft DP to a 25 ft Winnebago View. I'm currently near the Badlands and will boondock there and spend time in the Black Hills. But this area will be a great area to explore as I head back east towards Iowa for repair of a couple items and then continuing home to NJ. I would have not even considered it until I watched your video! We chatted back and forth last year when I was considering downsizing to a TT, but ended up going with a small motorhome. Still hope to do much more boondocking!

[@GrandAdventure]

Terrific Randy! That should indeed be a wonderful stop on your way back. Realize that there are only a couple of spots on that particular Forest Road that will work, but if you consult the motor vehicle use map for the Nebraska National Forest you will see that there are also a number of other roads in the immediate vicinity that are legal for boondocking. Have fun!

[@davidjacobs4992]

Very cool presentation of one of Nebraska's jewels. It looks very different from when I used to travel through due to the fires of 2012. It was heavily forested then. Good to see you added Toadstool park. For those interested, the formations continue west for quite a few miles, all the way to Harrison, NE. Great job! Thank you!

[@GrandAdventure]

Glad you enjoyed it, David. Thank you so much! It would've been wonderful to have seen the area prior to the wildfire devastation.

[@anthonykenyon8262]

Love your videos and all the information you provide about the areas you travel. You can boon-dock in norther Minnesota, Wisconsin and norther Michigan

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Anthony! Yep, that's where we were originally headed, but had to redirect our travels due to COVID-19 restrictions in those states at the time that we were making our plans.

[@lorih379]

I'm excited to see the parks and campgrounds you will choose 😃

[@GrandAdventure]

We've picked a few winners, Lori, and some others not quite so much. 😄

[@bsimondsen]

Nice video and info! Great job

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Bill!

[@KiltedVeteran]

You've convinced me. I think I will boondock there this weekend.

[@GrandAdventure]

Enjoy! It's a beautiful area and decidedly un-Nebraska.

[@bangladeshiinatlanta3357]

My college town in the eighties , loved the video thanks

[@GrandAdventure]

Very cool Muhammad, thanks for watching!

[@sonofabutcher7003]

Great video! I’ll have to add these sites to our bucket list! If you’re ever in the area again there’s a very cool National Monument (Scottsbluff) about 1-1/2 hours southwest of Chadron. “RV Texas Y’all” did a great video on it in 2022. Their video inspired us to visit it in September of 2022. Interesting history and good hiking there. Plus the friendliest Walmart west of the Mississippi:) We’re looking forward revisiting the area.

[@GrandAdventure]

As are we! Tom & Stacie of RV Texas Y'all are personal friends, and Scottsbluff is on our list. Thank you so much for your kind words, and thank you for watching.

[@andrewhenken4707]

Nicely done as always. Looking forward to watching your Heartland Tour. Nice U.S. flag. Good for you!

[@GrandAdventure]

Andrew, I've been meaning to rig up some sort of flag holder for a while now. Memorial Day Weekend was coming up, so while picking up groceries at Walmart in Chadron I passed a flag display and finally grabbed one. It's been riding high on our rig ever since. Appreciate your kind words!

[@dawncamacho5534]

I live in Illinois, a couple hours south and a little west of Chicago. Off of I80 there is a sweet little place known as Staved Rock state park. Among all the corn fields, we actually have trails, canyons, and waterfalls. There is also, Matthiessen state park and Buffalo state park. Love your videos!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks for the tip Dawn! We'll keep that in mind.

[@JJs-ClassC-Adventures]

So glad to see this area of the country. We had a trip planned for this area earlier, but family health issues caused us to cancel. Thanks for sharing.

[@GrandAdventure]

Our pleasure, JJ. Hope that the family health issues have since resolved so that you may plan this again.

[@gorrdd]

Marc, I could tell you really enjoyed doing this episode. What a great tour. They should call these the Good Lands of Nebraska, not the Bad Lands. Fascinating footage, great narration and background music, as always. Loved the museum tour. Just a beautiful display of well restored and maintained relics, guns, hides... couldn't believe the great condition of those hides. Magnificent. Carhendge was also fascinating to view. Plus, your brief history lessons always tie everything together. Thanks for the great hard work and sharing. Loved it... Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

We appreciate it as always, Gord! Indeed, these #AmericanHeartlandTour2020 have been enjoyable to film and produce because we're exploring the area in much the same way that our viewers are. Unlike some other areas we bring you, this is very much a "first" for us, too, so it's easy to share that exploratory sense through the camera lens.

[@gorrdd]

@@GrandAdventure Yeah... that makes it more real than just another production. Gord

[@Culturelifestyletravel]

Fantastic video thank you for sharing hopefully we can run into you sometime on the road

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! We hope so, too, for we love meeting folks out on the road.

[@TheBruceGday]

Culture,lifestyle,travel I have the same hope!

[@stubnannie]

Holly hell, you made it to NE, I'm in Seward. Headed out this weekend for a week of boondocking along the Missouri River (on the other side of the state)

[@GrandAdventure]

Sounds wonderful! We'll be back in NE in Dakota City in a later episode in a couple of weeks.

[@rvscootin3457]

Thanks for another great video Mark. I think I can speak for all of us when I say how great it is/would be for you to include GPS coordinates of you locations. I know this season won't have many disbursed camps. But it wold still be great to have those coordinates.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Michael! We always do include those, actually, right down below in the video description under "For More Information". In this case, here's the link to the pin: goo.gl/maps/EXWknRJpQwgSUe9Z6

[@rvscootin3457]

Grand Adventure thank you for that extra information Mark!

[@rvscootin3457]

Grand Adventure Thanks again Mark! We usually watch KZbin from our TV via an Amazon fire stick. That’s why I couldn’t actually expand and look down at all of the great other information that you provide. I got on my computer and saw everything. 👍 On a sidenote it took me over a year of watching your shows before I figured out how I could give you a thumbs up through the TV interface. So now I’m going back through all your videos making sure that I give it a like. 😃

[@GrandAdventure]

@@rvscootin3457 well now *that* explains it. It's unfortunate that KZbin's television interface eliminates features like video descriptions, especially as nearly half of our viewers watch our videos via their TVs. Thanks for the extra likes!

[@tacostwowheels4934]

Nice upload!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Big thanks

[@everywherelocal]

cool clip 🤙

[@ericscamping]

Nebraska National Forest is a beautiful spot.

[@GrandAdventure]

Indeed it is, Eric.

[@JarheadAndGingersJourney]

Hello from Okinawa, Japan! We have driven through Nebraska a few times, but only stopped for gas. We will have to spend some time there once we get moved back and set out on the road this fall.

[@GrandAdventure]

It was the same for us, and we've discovered parts of the state that are totally unlike anything along I-80. Later in this series we'll be in the northeastern corner of the state which is equally beautiful but in its own unique way.

[@paradicebus60]

great job

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks bud!

[@johnpurdum8126]

Lots of history in this week's episode. Beautiful as always. Do you think that no one boondocks in the forest due to winds blowing across the ridge? In my mind rolling plains equal lots of wind. Until next week, be safe.

[@GrandAdventure]

It was definitely windy for much of our visit, John. However, much to our surprise, instead of being atop a ridge it was more akin to being on the edge of a plateau, for the landscape continued to the south at pretty much the same elevation as our camp. Dropping off the edge and heading towards town the wind conditions weren't much different.

[@gorrdd]

Thanks... hope you have been enjoying yourself over the past few days. Not heard much from you channel. Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

Always Gord, always! Just been up to my eyeballs in the day job the past couple of days.

[@gorrdd]

@@GrandAdventure Roger that...

[@KU9L]

This was one of our favorite areas, we just passed through there about a week ago, soured by about $5K in hail damaged we got about 3 hours east near Cody, NE. Nonetheless, the Panhandle of NE and the Black Hills of SD are very dear to our hearts! When we are done with our eldercare duties in FL we will come back here a lot more often in summer.

[@GrandAdventure]

We loved it, too. (We also experienced hail damage in the Black Hills 2 years ago, so we feel your pain.)

[@Skiers_Snowboarders_Midwest]

You should really hit up the North shore of Lake Superior or the Keweenaw peninsula in Michigan. You're going to be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful slice of the Midwest. "Mountains" and crystal clear blue water as far as the eye can see. Lots of boondocking opportunities and tons of small fishing villages on the lake, awesome shops, restaurants and amazing sunsets / sunrises. And some amazing Rock picking opportunities. Copper Harbor in the Keweenaw or Lutsen on the North Shore in Minnesota. Top 2

[@GrandAdventure]

Peter, that was actually our original plan. But when we had to finalize our plans a few weeks ago, campers were still persona non grata in both Michigan and Minnesota. We therefore aimed our sites a little further south this time, but we will be there in the future for sure.

[@Skiers_Snowboarders_Midwest]

@@GrandAdventure I completely understand. We actually showed up at our spot in the keeweenaw from WI and the owner was notified the night before that we weren't allowed to Camp anymore. Thankfully he turned a blind eye to the governor's orders. Looking forward to your upcoming videos.

[@Skiers_Snowboarders_Midwest]

@@GrandAdventure it's a little expensive but you could take the SS Badger across Lake Michigan with your camper. Another awesome experience. Manitowoc and Two Rivers on the Wisconsin side are spectacular communities with a ton of History. Manitowoc being more on the industrial side in Two Rivers it's a little bit like taking a step back in time with the fishing Village. With Door County Wisconsin just being a short Drive North. Another wonder of the Midwest. Loaded with wineries, lighthouses and tons of beaches. Ludington on the Michigan side is also awesome. The state park and Sand Dunes right outside of town are worth a visit. Sleeping Bear Dune isn't that much of a hike North and it's probably one of the more beautiful places in the nation.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@Skiers_Snowboarders_Midwest great tips, they're very much appreciated -- thank you!

[@EPICtravelTV]

Nice video and good info . :)

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you!

[@WILDEBILL308]

Car Hendge is a takeoff/improvement on Cadillac Ranch. Lots of great information.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always William!

[@ecuadorhusker2449]

Thank you so much for this. I'm from Nebraska and this touched my heart. Currently retired in Ecuador and still in lock down lol. Looking at full time rving back in the states in a few years. Keep up the great videos.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Ray! Here's hoping they let you outside down there pretty soon. Appreciate your comment!

[@scenicdriveways6708]

Wow Marc ! Great video. I thought Nebraska was all flat farm land , I was surprised ! I have to put that Fur Traders Museum on my bucket list , I LOVE things like that! By the way , I mentioned you in my latest video. :) JT

[@GrandAdventure]

I'll definitely check it out JT!

[@scenicdriveways6708]

@@GrandAdventure When you said you were heading East Jo-Ann and I looked at one another and said: " Why would anyone want to go east on purpose"? LOL :) :)

[@GrandAdventure]

@@scenicdriveways6708 you've got a point. Our original purpose in heading east was to go to Quebec to see Patricia's family. When that got ruled out by COVID-19 we decided, "What the heck? Let's go east anyway." We just had to choose some different destinations. We've done most of the West for Grand Adventure, so we thought that we'd spread our wings a bit, rather than work to find places that we haven't seen yet, in between the places we've already been. It's different, but nevertheless fun. After work today, for example, I got the kayak out on Lake of the Ozarks for a serene paddle. One thing, though: I'm definitely getting green sensory overload. And stocking up on DEET.

[@scenicdriveways6708]

@@GrandAdventure One thing Jo-Ann and I have found by work-camping is it allows us to see a lot more of an area than we would if we just stayed a few days. It's amazing how much stuff there is to see and do around here.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@scenicdriveways6708 no doubt. Even though we both work full business days, we're finding that to be true by staying for a week instead of movingevery 3-4 days.

[@terryn4twx162]

Mark on your Heartlands Tour consider USACE or Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds. If you have an America the Beautiful pass it gets you half price off the already low price. Plus they are normally on a body of water with lots of elbow room.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Terry! In fact, we'll be at one on a Tennessee lake starting tomorrow night. We don't get half off as we don't yet qualify for the Senior Interagency Pass (normal Interagency Passes a.k.a. "America the Beautiful" passes don't come with camping discounts) but that doesn't dissuade us.

[@donmccall9038]

I sure liked your page better when you narrated your whole podcast!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks for the feedback Don! Our typical MO these days is just to do a live intro and outro, and let narration cover the rest.

[@denniswilson4412]

Pretty good for Nebraska where the state tree is the telephone pole

[@GrandAdventure]

🤣

[@gibbsm]

I've stayed at Ft. Robinson, it's a nice place, we stayed in one of the houses near the water towers.

[@GrandAdventure]

Very nice, Matt! Do they do those in period furniture?

[@gibbsm]

@@GrandAdventure very little furniture was in there, but yeah it was pretty old, same bunk beds I had in the Army LOL.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@gibbsm 😄

[@charlesruble9384]

Great video. Seems like an oximoron to call that a forest though, not many trees.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always, Charles! There were a lot more trees before the fires of 2012, though.

[@Legowarrior03]

Hello sir The wife and I are looking to be in this area in mid April. Love your boon-dock location, where did u find the map for boon dock locations in that area? Love your videos Thank you!!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! To find this spot we used the exact process that we explain in this episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5OsmIJ3oMtphNE . It works every time. Safe travels, and enjoy that beautiful part of Nebraska!

[@deltoncbaker]

I would have liked to seen a closer look at that rock formation that looked like a claw foot bathtub on top of a pedestal.

[@GrandAdventure]

Delton, that must've been in Toadstool, but I can't picture it myself.

[@browns4ever]

FYI- I grew up in that area and its history didn't start with the fur trappers. The history began long before the European (white) settlers (colonizers) arrived. Succeeding cultures of indigenous peoples lived in the area for thousands of years. In historic times, tribes such as the Oglala Lakota (Oglala Sioux Tribe), Cheyenne and others lived in the area.

[@GrandAdventure]

Absolutely. We were of course referring to European-American history; all across this nation there's a rich history of native culture that pre-dates Anglo history.

[@RobertFoley]

You are one of a few "life sensei" I aspire to emulate. I'd like to continue freelancing contracts and with starlink allowing nationwide internet and a solar/battery array. Maybe traveling around the US three to six months out of the year.

[@GrandAdventure]

That's pretty much precisely what we do, Robert, and we too anxiously await the public availability of Starlink. Right now we're limited in where we can stay due to the availability of high-speed mobile Internet, whereas with Starlink we'll no longer have those constraints.

[@thomfisher1100]

Oh! Look! Nebraska has a tree afterall! Thanks for posting as usual. We rarely think of "going east" living here in the Rockies, but this park is quite interesting and not that far from home.

[@GrandAdventure]

A couple of trees, actually!

[@rexcarlson3464]

Just watched Peaceful planet . Away from the salty city

[@GrandAdventure]

That it is, Rex.

[@pcyingling]

Nice job Mark, I think I have your boondock spot pinned on my map ( 42.709974, -103.038018 ) I cant wait to check it out.... I have been to Fort Robinson and Scottsbluff several times, but the area around Chadron S.P. looks awesome....

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! Yep, I can confirm that those coordinates are correct. That little side road is blocked off so you don't need to worry about blocking traffic using it, and it provides the opportunity to cross the drainage ditch that lines much of that road.

[@snookrookie]

Hey mark, We need a place to stay for July 2 thru 5. We will be near Yosemite. We've never been in this area before. Boondocking is good.. Any ideas?

[@GrandAdventure]

I wish we had some for you, Robert, but we have yet to get there ourselves. We were headed there in 2018 when the Ferguson fire broke out and filled the valley with wildfire smoke, closing the park and forcing us to take a detour.

[@snookrookie]

Thank you for the straight up answer. I've never been there myself. We have campgrounds lined up but not so close to the 4th. We've been boondocking For 77 days. We've weathered this virus really well. We started in quartzsite then Zion then Bryce and capital Reef now back to Bryce before headed to Yosemite. All the Rangers have been great and let us stay longer than the rules allow. Safe travels. Robert

[@GrandAdventure]

@@snookrookie that's wonderful to hear. These times definitely demand flexibility from both sides.

[@stevenmurray3730]

We have other hidden gems forgotten to time here in Nebraska. My grandfather told me this is God's country. He was right!

[@GrandAdventure]

Yes he certainly was, Steven.

[@debralynnbailey6527]

What kind of Drôme and camera do you have I’d like to learn how to do that 🇺🇸

[@GrandAdventure]

Debra, we're using a (1st generation) DJI Mavic Pro for our drone. We use a number of cameras, but our workhorse is a Sony Alpha a6500 with the Sony G-Series 18-105mm lens. All of the items we use to create Grand Adventure are listed here in our Grand Adventure Shop on Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/GrandAdventure?listId=29P8DKMLOCJAX

[@kevinprincehorn2741]

Is there room at toadstool to turn around with a travel trailer?

[@GrandAdventure]

No problem whatsoever. The road actually ends at a campground loop.

[@BKKKevin]

This isn’t the first time I saw a video where a local resident deputizes themselves and asks politely or as another case very impolitely to not camp in a national forest/BLM... It would be nice if you could do a video on what to have prepared and how to respond to these people... This is one of the major reasons I shy away from boonbocking in many of the beautiful places you stay...

[@GrandAdventure]

Kevin, in all our years it's the very first time it happened. The answer is to simply be informed, and share that information. He was never hostile, but rather uninformed. Once that information was conveyed in an authoritative manner we had a jovial conversation together. He was more miffed about the fact that the USFS charges him $176/year to access his own property while we got to camp for free. :D

[@juanjose-zu3sk]

hello in that city there are many tornadoes?

[@GrandAdventure]

Particularly in spring and fall t's always a risk anywhere in the Great Plains, Juan.

[@juanjose-zu3sk]

@@GrandAdventure oh seriously thank you very much for the video, greetings from Colombia 🇨🇴❤

[@GrandAdventure]

@@juanjose-zu3sk and greetings to you.

[@mark46428]

chadron is pronounced shadron

[@rickzepeda4403]

park the cool buts that it you go about 10 miles to town your back to flat land again the town of chadron sucks i lived there for about 10 years

[@GrandAdventure]

That's of course true, Rick, but the Pine Ridge area is so beautiful. It's an oasis in the prairie.

[@suzanneelliott4245]

Chadron pronounced (shaa-drun rather than cha-dren)

[@GrandAdventure]

Not the first time we've mispronounced a unique local name, and it most definitely won't be the last. 😉

[@amafid]

Random algorithm comment

[@GrandAdventure]

😆