Pioneer Village to Alliance NE

Off at 8:45, 17C, not a cloud in the sky. We went up to #2 again to head west, right to Broken Bow this time. We stopped at their new Tourist Info, and it turned out we were their FIRST Canadians! It's a nice new place, fresh and clean. I'm standing with the artist that did the train wall mural behind us.

The Ogallala Aquifer supplies water to a huge part of the US Southwest

Windmill behind the Tourist Info supplies their water

It got up to 29C at 1:30 MT (Mountain Time already). The road climbed steadily as we headed west on #2, starting about 1800 ft and up to 3600 ft by afternoon. 

Lots of 100-car 3-engine trains full of coal heading one way and empties heading the other.

There's quite a bit of ground water around in places but the grass is pretty sparse on the hills. The land is very sandy, so groundwater tends to drain quickly. 

We couldn't find any "official" picnic areas so finally stopped for our lunch at a scenic pulloff beside Middle Loop river. Of course we came across 2 picnic areas just after the lunch stop. Antelope sightings were pretty common, often in groups of 3 for some reason. In the middle of all this dry land we came across Pelican Lake Golf Course near Hyannis NE, 3700 ft! It's kept green by more Ogallala Aquifer water likely.

Gas is running $2.25 - $2.50 for regular 87 octane. Mid-range 89 is 10 to 15 cents cheaper due to ethanol content.

The afternoon warmed up, reaching 31C at 2:30 MT. We stopped for the night at Sunset Motel & RV Park in Alliance NE. Full hookups, WiFi, indoor pool (we used it, had it all to ourselves), hot tub. $15+tax with our Passport America membership.