Ogallala State Recreaction Area

Today was the first day of travels on our first long trip. We're heading from the mountains of Colorado to western Massachusetts, and then back, over the course of two and half weeks. On this first day, we traveled for about six hours. Not too bad, considering some days we have planned for over eight. We started by heading up to Wyoming, and then took a sharp right on 80 to get us into Nebraska. The weather was gorgeous, and the views were amazing, even in Nebraska (about which I don't have great memories or expectations). As all first days of vacations, it was hard to believe we were actually on vacation as we both thought about (and talked about) work. Hopefully, we'll be able to lose this habit as we continue our travels.

Preparations for this trip started six months ago, when we were able to start reserving camping spots. We searched using reserveamerica.com, and then we used Google Earth to help us pick spots. Of course, we also were able to read reviews of the campgrounds online. Nothing could have prepared us for how beautiful it is at Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area, though. We have a great campsite on a sort of mini-peninsula, slightly separate from other campsites and surrounded on three sides by water.

We were delighted when we turned into the campground and found our spot (#8). It was a sunny beautiful day, but pretty hot (in the 90s). There's electricity at this campground, so we fired up the air conditioner, and found it worked very well. This was our first time testing it, and we got the camper cool in a matter of 10 minutes or so. Since there are electric hookups, we thankfully don't have to worry about nighttime quiet times and the generator.

Although we had reserved and paid for the spot ahead of time, we still needed to go back a ways and get a park pass ($5.35). We made it back to our site in time for a quick bike ride out to one of the dams to see the sunset. What a beautiful ride -- the lake to one side, cows and a beautiful pasture to the other. It's just a mile and half bike ride (or walk) but well worth taking. At dusk, though, the bugs were out in full force. We wouldn't have wanted to be walking...biking at full speed, we just needed to be sure to keep our mouths closed!

And speaking of bugs, we haven't heard the cicadas like this for years. They are just not active in the Colorado mountains. It brings back such memories of summer nights in the east. And fireflies -- there's another memory revisited tonight.

We were wondering what a sociologist/culinary expert might have to say about camp food. There is a family reunion being held in the campsite -- what are they eating. And what's on the grill at all those other campsites? At our campsite, we had Indian lamb kabobs with zucchini and red peppers (marinated in a yogurt curry sauce), a yogurt raita, and naan cooked on the grill. I actually really enjoy preparing food in the camper, where everything is at arms' reach. And there's something about taking my time and not feeling rushed that is just so delicious...as was the food.

Tomorrow's a short 3 hour drive, so we'll see what we come up with to do with all those other hours!