We're not in Seattle anymore...

Well, we're definitely not in Seattle anymore. We saw this sign in a small town in Nebraska and just had to stop and snap this picture. Jill and I have found things to admire and things to critique in the Christian culture of the Great Plains. This sign's plainspoken vibe is not our style. But there is something refreshing about it.

Today we walked where the pioneers walked. We were awed by the beauty of Scottsbluff National Monument. Here nineteenth century settlers entered this stunning and harsh land via a wagon trail squeezed between two giant cliffs. I will not soon forget looking out over this vista and knowing the early settlers saw the same thing. What did they feel when they saw it? For me, there is something about the Nebraska prairie. I have longed to return here to the Great Plains since my last visit ten years ago. I love it. Like the ocean, it is both beautiful and scary at once. Did the early settlers think so? Were they as energized by it as I am? What a grace to be where they were!

Barn Anew and Scottsbluff

Matthew and I are on day 3 of our trip and I think Scottsbluff, NE is going to top the list of highlights. As I began this journal entry earlier today, we were both sitting in an adorable, pioneer-style sitting room of a most charming bed and breakfast called Barn Anew (formerly Barn Again :>), located near the old Oregon trail! We were facing out the double doors through which is a dramatic Nebraska, Great Plains view...fields of corn in the foreground and uniquely shaped bluffs in the background. How good to have this day of rest after two full days of travel….from Seattle to Three Forks, MT with the Bakers and then from Three Forks to Scottsbluff.

And now as I post this, I can confirm this day as a major highlight. We drove around the town of Scottsbluff and surrounding towns, got a feel for the friendly Nebraska way, ate frozen custard, walked along a short section of the old Oregan trail, and while at the Scottsbluff National Monument museum learned some about these pioneers who came west in covered wagons. I couldn't stop smiling with enjoyment as Matthew and I ventured up the summit trail to the top of the bluff taking in beautiful, vast, open views of praire, farm land, distant bluffs, dramatic storm clouds, and even a rainbow.

We also enjoyed warm greetings from the three Barn Anew dogs, including Buff, the yellow lab who is sleeping on a couch near me as I type.