Nomad Life - Day 145

This morning, I was awake at 0450 - I hadn't set an alarm but, in the end, I couldn't go back to sleep.  Instead, I completed puzzles and Duolingo exercises, worked on survey and caught up on my reading. I also made a made reservation for the coming night's lodging. As the morning wore on, I ended up skipping breakfast.  In my mind, I had plans to do a lot more before departing my hotel but Mollie called and we talked for a long time.  After hanging up with her, I packed up my car and departed the Rodeway Inn (Sidney) at 1045.  Outside, it was clear, sunny and cold (17 F); however, it initially seemed less windy than it had on the previous day.  To get my route towards the north started, I drove east to US-385 and then drove south to the area where I'd seen lots of shopping and restaurant (close to I-80). Since it wasn't busy, I chose to buy my lunch at Dairy Queen - I started eating (inside the restaurant) at 1055.  Afterwards (1120), I drove to the nearby Walmart and spent the next 50 minutes walking around inside.  It was much warmer there and I managed to get about two hours.  Meanwhile, the wind started getting strong again and was VERY gusty when I exited the store (1215).  Finished with my "exercise", I got back on US-385 and headed north.  Just as I was reaching the city limits for Sidney, several huge flocks of snow geese rose above the road - I watched them blowing around (not really flying) overhead.  I started up an audiobook and settled in for my drive.  The terrain was initially flat, with very little in the way of hills or valleys.  This changed when I reached US-26, near the town of Bridgeport.  US-385 and this road continued together until I passed through the downtown area of "Trail City" at 1300.  This name meant more when I passed a Mormon Pioneer NHT (I'd also noted some alternate routes of the California NHT on the NPS website before I arrived).  Unlike my family's 2010 trip to the area, I didn't continue west towards Scott's Bluff.  Instead, I turned north (still following US-385).  Despite this decision, I believe I was able to see some of the terrain features (e.g. sandstone towers and bluffs) for the Oregon Trail to the west...  Meanwhile, the wind still very vigorous - so much so that it didn't surprise me when I passed an 18-Wheeler in the ditch on the side of the road.  Along the way, the temperature increased to 25 F.  I passed through the town of Angora at 1320 and reached Alliance at 1340.  When I went into the lobby of the Alliance Hotel & Suites (an old Howard Johnson property now managed by Wyndham), I immediately encountered heavy smoke.  I traced it to the hotel's kitchen and started looking for the staff to warn them.  They were appreciative and gave me a good room at the end of the hallway (so I could easily access my car).  After that, I spent the rest of the afternoon taking care of paperwork (mostly getting ready for my visit to South Dakota).  Before it got dark, I went outside to finish up my walking goal (three miles) for the day.  Normally, I try to walk four miles but today I had access to a fitness center in the hotel - my time on the Stationary Bike (4 miles in 20 minutes) put me over the 10K step goal.  Along with the workout room, the hotel had many other amazing amenities (lots of food and local beer for sale, a big pool and hot tub, etc.).  By the time I was done, the wind outside was dying down and I noticed that the temps were in mid 30s just before the beautiful sunset (blazing orange).  At 1645, I left the hotel and drove a few miles north to attend Mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  As I've seen at the last few churches I've visited, the sanctuary was packed.  It was also quite warm (I wanted to shed my jacked).  The beginning of the service included a Blessing of Catechumens (nice) and everyone was very friendly.  The Mass was finished at 1745 and I returned to my car.  By then, the temps outside were in the high 20s.  Hoping to find one of the local breweries that my hotel had told me about, I drove around in downtown Alliance.  I guess there must be a historic reason for the brick streets I encountered but I never figured out more...  At 1800, I parked at Brewery 719 and sat down at the bar just before the end of the thrilling Broncos v Bills Playoff Game.  I ordered a flight of beers and was still considering what I might get for dinner (e.g., there was a Taco John's across the street).  Suddenly, though, one of the other bar patrons told me I was welcome to eat some of the food that had been set up on a table for a going away party for a young couple.  That seemed generous because there was some really good food.  Like I've seen many times, though, this was only the initial gateway for further introductions and camaraderie.  As I sampled six beers (and then added a pint for the seventh), I talked to almost everyone around me (including the young couple).  As the TV transitioned to the Seahawks v 49ers Game (not as exciting). I made the acquaintance of the friendly bartender (Jo, a woman) and befriended several other locals.  We talked about fishing, the Cornhuskers, the town of Orleans (and Harlan County), how the Nebraska license plates have numbers assigned to each county, Harley riding (in town and up to Sturgis, SD), how one local football star had played in the NFL, the busy railroad yard and airport in town, farming (beets & corn), ranching and other industry - whew!  I really felt like a member of the group when I was finally ready to depart (2015).  Everyone told me I should come back again soon and I may just do that.  After returning to my hotel (arrived at 2025), I dipped myself in the hot tub.  Unfortunately, I was joined by a drunk, cursing group (of family members?) who may not even have been guests of the hotel (no keys).  Some of their shenanigans were entertaining, though - they kept talking about going to a nearby barn dance.  With them as a deterrent, though, I only stayed for 25 minutes (2035 to 2100).  Back in my room, I got carried away with watching the (newer) Shogun series on my tablet.  As a result, I went to bed at 0030.  So far, the Nebraska Panhandle has been warm and friendly, even with the wind and cold outside...