South Dakota Trip - Day 3

Up at 0800L - breakfast and then on the road. Clear skies again - mid 20s C. After breakfast in the lobby (Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites), we departed Garden City, KS.  We first used US-83 until we reached Scott City - then got on KS-96. Found a monument to George Washington Carver on the side of the road. He apparently homesteaded in the area before moving back east and gaining fame at Tuskegee. Turned north after getting gas at Rush Center (US-183). Kids commented on all the cows we've been seeing. Had lunch (BK) in Hays and saw a few more buffalo on the southwest side of town. Continued north on US-183 until we came to the Nebraska border. Turned on NE-89 and headed to Orleans. This was where my mom's family lived at the end of the 19th Century and I visited when I was younger (see "1984 Trip - Part 1", listed on this blog in JAN 1985). Just since the last time, the town had basically died. Nothing was open on the main streets and store front windows were shattered/boarded up. I had done some research and learned that there was still a historical society in town - and we met a nice lady who gave us a tour. The place used to have hundreds of people, but now they want to give buildings away. We got to see antiques from the old businesses and homes. One highlight of the visit was the little town swimming pool. Almost every local kid was there (probably around 15) and they greeted our girls just like old friends. We spent around two hours swimming and enjoying the small town charm. Finally had to leave - sad - and looked around a little for the town cemetery. No luck, but found a restaurant folks had recommended - TP's Burger Barn. They had broasted chicken - a great meal! More locals approached us - they had heard about us from their neighbors - and told us all about the area. We actually met the cemetery groundskeeper and he told us where we could find our ancestor's burial place. Paid our respects to the Dalrymple and Peirce we found there and then headed took US-136 back to US-183 (had wanted to stop in at Turkey Days in Oxford, nearby, but didn't have time). Mollie navigating. Made it to I-80 around 1945L and then drove West. We lucked out and gained an hour back (Mountain Time) - needed it later... Stopped at Gothenburg to see the Pony Express Station - found it, too. While girls were exploring, I found a flat tire (see MAR 2010). Was able to change it in the fading light, but also sheared off two studs ($%$# !). Meanwhile, girls searched high and low for a restroom - finished just as I got the spare on. Didn't feel good about the tire, so drove at 35 mph on US-30 (Lincoln Highway - see AUG 2008) all the way to North Platte, where our hotel was. As we neared the town, started to see non-stop lightning in the distance - what a great show! Too bad it was the sign of a HUGE storm... Made it to Holiday Inn Express around 2200L - had time to research repair shops before going to bed late.