Last night, we flew from Knoxville to Denver on Frontier Airlines. We'd reserved a midsize SUV with Alamo Rent A Car in Denver and were able to choose among several vehicles, ultimately selecting a Jeep Compass Trailhawk with four-wheel drive. Spoiler alert: We never needed the 4WD – thank God – but the extra ground clearance came in handy on many miles of unpaved western roads. We spent our first night at an Econo Lodge in Aurora and got up early this morning to hit the road!
Jeep Compass Trailhawk
On our way east out of Colorado, we passed through the small town of Kit Carson, where a little museum of the same name caught our eye. We didn't go into the old Union Pacific depot, but we walked through the caboose outside and then crossed the street to explore a yard displaying old tools and heavy equipment.
Kit Carson Museum, Colorado
Old Caterpillar
Little lighthouse on the prairie
The highest point in Kansas is Mount Sunflower, at 4,039 feet. This wasn't on our way anywhere, but it might never be, so we decided to go now. The point is about half a mile inside Kansas from the Colorado border, and a visit requires driving close to 50 miles of dirt roads. The “mount” is more a subtle rise in the surrounding plain, but we'll take it.
On the road to Mount Sunflower, Kansas
The "peak" is visible in the background
Mount Sunflower is on private property, but visitors are welcome. They've even set up a cool high-point monument that makes a nice photo op. All the owner asks is that you leave him a beer if you have one, so we did. We stayed long enough for a picnic, and in that time, four other sets of high-pointers showed up in this very remote location. Go figure.
Tom and Jana at the high point of Kansas
Leaving Kansas, we then drove for several hours to the highest point in Nebraska, Panorama Point, at 5,424 feet. Located in the southwestern corner of Nebraska, near its border with Colorado and Wyoming, this is another moderate rise in another Great Plains state, but it's high enough for an elevated view of the surrounding grasslands. We drove about 25 miles of dirt road to reach this one, but it was no problem in the Jeep. A double-high-point day!
Entrance to Panorama Point, Nebraska
Panorama!
Panorama Point is located on private property within a large bison ranch, with an access fee of $3.00 each, paid on the honor system. There's a high-point monument, a metal desk containing a log book, and a bench with a plaque. We had the place to ourselves for a few minutes before another couple arrived at this far-flung spot.
The amenities
Elevation first measured with a WWI altimeter
Tom and Jana were there!
Lodging: Super 8, Kimball, Nebraska. Review: It was a Super 8.
We spent the night in little Kimball (population 2,300) because it was there. 481 miles of driving and two state high points was plenty for one day. Despite the town's small size, we found a GREAT place for dinner, the Beer & Loathing Bar. The beer wasn't too exciting – a couple of Blue Moons was the best we could do – but the burgers were outstanding, and the place was lively on this Saturday night. Loved it!
Beer & Loathing Bar, Kimball, Nebraska
Our kind of place
Downtown Kimball, Nebraska