Lake McConaughy – Nebraska’s Largest Reservoir

Lake McConaughy, Nebraska.

We’ve driven I-80 in Nebraska many times between North Platte and the Interstate’s beginnings west of Ogallala. Our usual goal is Albuquerque by the end of the day, so we don’t have much time to stop. This summer, though, we were only going to Colorado Springs to our family reunion. We could spend a little time in Nebraska rather than just driving through. Last week, we visited Sutherland Reservoir near Sutherland, Nebraska just off I-80, west of North Platte. The next stop after our visit to Sutherland was near Ogallala. Lake McConaughy is a large reservoir of some 35,000 acres or so. As with Sutherland Reservoir, the recreation area is a secondary function. In this case, the project, built in the 1930’s employed about 1500 people during its construction.

Sutherland State Recreation Area – Acres of Outdoor Activities

Sutherland, Nebraska.

We were on our way to Colorado and the Steiner family reunion, an event we look forward to each summer. Coincidentally, this route is well known to us as it covers the first day and a half of our annual trek south to Arizona. A long day’s drive to North Platte, then I-80 toward Colorado then New Mexico to Albuquerque. From there, it’s another seven hours to Buckeye. We seldom have had time to visit locations in Nebraska unless we are going to stop to visit our friends in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Since the reunion was near Colorado Springs, we decided to explore some of the sights along I-80 in Nebraska. This post features the first of three stops between North Platte and Ogallala.

Dronie Sunday – 15 September 2019

Ogallala, Nebraska.

For an upcoming Travel Tuesday, we planned a visit to Lake McConaughy, a manmade lake and popular recreation area in western Nebraska. Today would be the first day I used photos from my airborne camera to add aerial images to my travel posts. I haven’t yet had any negative interactions with bystanders who are understandably curious when they hear that whine and spot the flashing lights on the small drone that I use.

Cellpic Sunday – 16 December 2018

Thomas, Nebraska.

Almost a month ago, I shared an image captured in the Sand Hills of Nebraska and provided some background of the area. A few miles further down the road, I captured a couple of images and created a Sandhill panorama captured just off highway 83 with my Samsung S7 cell phone. In most browsers, you can click on the image to enlarge it for a higher resolution view.

Cellpic Sunday – 18 November 2018

North Platte, Nebraska.

On our routine trips between Arizona and North Dakota each fall and spring, I often take US Highway 83 through parts of South Dakota and Nebraska, connecting with I-90 and I-80 in transit. At the I-80 end, after a 10-hour drive (with stops) from Fargo, we overnight at North Platte. Along the way, we pass through the Nebraska Sand Hills. 

North Platte Veterans Memorial – A Tribute to American Veterans

North Platte, Nebraska.

A chance change in hotels introduced us to a world class veterans memorial. For those travelling I-80, it’s worth the stop to visit and spend some time in honor of those who have served in our armed forces.

Golden Spike Tower – Bird’s Eve View of the World’s Largest Train Yard

North Platte, Nebraska.

Lynn and I usually stop at North Platte twice a year. It’s an overnight stop on our drive between Buckeye and Fargo each spring and fall. A couple of years ago, I learned that the world’s largest rail switching yard is located just outside of the city, and there is a viewing tower that lets you observe the yard from a higher vantage point.