The Great American Desert

So today I undertook my journey from Omaha, Nebraska to Estes Park, Colorado.

Today is the day I learned how large our nation actually is. I did not realize the amount of distance involved in driving across the Midwest. I was amazed at how much space was between the two destination. And how it seemed to go on forever.

Running through Nebraska, I noticed some things. 89 gas is cheaper than 87, because it has ethanol in it. The government has incentives to use gas with ethanol, so therefore it is about 20 cents cheaper than the regular unleaded gasoline. I also realized how tied to the railroad system Nebraska is. I followed a railroad through my entire journey of the state. It is hard to emphasize that the railroad really is the life blood of Nebraska. Well... That and the highway system now.

There must be a water shortage in Nebraska as well, or at least the western part of the state. I kept hearing ads to save water, and that Syngenta was making new devices to use water in the most efficient way possible.

While I was towards the middle of the state, I stopped by Lexington, for some food at a Subway. Lexington is a peculiar town. The town is located on the railroad line, and on I-80 as part of the highway system. Then I noticed it had a large Latino population. Large enough it had businesses with Spanish translations. I also realized there was a very large grain elevator, and a Tyson processing plant. I'm only guessing job opportunities?

Then I rolled into Colorado. The prairie lands had a certain appeal, and really caught my attention:

The plains were so flat. I never realized what windswept treeless plains were until I drove through Northeastern Colorado. The plains were so empty... But I knew behind the scenes there were still hints of life, roaming between the grass. Its own complex prairie ecosystem.

I can now see how the first pioneers could have seen this as a desert.


As I rolled up to Estes Park... Well the mountains seemed to come out of nowhere. But that will be saved for the next post.