Robert Stuart Trail 1812 — 1813

Day 32: September 12th, 2007 North Platte — Grand Island

When I get up today, it suddenly hits me that I forgot about the new timezone. That was the reason, why I arrived yesterday so unexpectedly early. So it is already half past nine when I arrive at the Village Inn for breakfast, Then I drive over to Wal–Mart to buy some picture rolls.

Next I gas up and around 11am I start my search for a mechanic. My first attempt is Todd’s Alignment Inc., but they don’t have the time to do the job. Instead they recommend going to Bob Spady, which is a Chevrolet Dealer. There they are able to replace the hoses and they even have them on stock! But at the moment is lunch break. Anyways, the truck should be ready by half past one!

I say thank you and sign the work order. Then I pick up my GPS and use the time to fill up the memory with the next coordinates completely. There is also enough time for a text message back home. Because my car is still not ready at half past one and it looks like it is taking way longer, I also start to write my picture postcards for back home.

SE State Farm Rd, NE

State Farm Rd, NE

Around half past three I am eventually back on the road. Depending on how good I am in time, I can always shortcut the route on bigger highways.

A Rd, NE

Backroad, NE

Backroad, NE

But I make good progress, even on the gravel roads. There are only a few roads, which I am not able to travel on due to private property.

Elm Island Rd, South Platte River, NE

Slowly the sun is getting lower and gives nice views of the South Platte River, which I am following now.

Unfortunately a passing train delays my progress on W Denman Rd…

Sunset on CR11, NE

Because I make no stops until I reach Grand Island, I am even arriving before 8pm at the Motel 6. Unfortunately they are already completely booked. Therefore I continue to the Super 8 motel. There I receive the last free room, which was canceled just 10 minutes ago. This is real luck for me!

There is an event around here, which has booked all motels in this area. For dinner they recommend the Texas T–Bone. The prices are pretty high, but the Sirloin was one of the best I ever had. Also the atmosphere is really great. One guy celebrates his birthday. For this occasion the cook leaves the kitchen and serves the meal with a giant cowbell — and shouts out the typical Texas “Yee–haw!”

Around half past nine I pay and drive back to my motel. There I make some coffee and check the few video taping of today. Then the usual task start with bookkeeping, diary and GPS while listening to my CDs.