5-15-18 Gretna, NE

 We are currently in North Platte, Nebraska and today we will travel onward to Gretna.  So far, traveling in the Jeepster has been a piece of cake.  Even though we are packed to the gills, we had planned it for easy in-easy out access to the essentials for an overnight.  You know, teddy bears, clean undies and martini glasses, stuff like that!

Interstate 80 parallels the Nebraska Chain O’ Lakes.  The water table on this flat plain is only 10 feet in depth and the surrounds are a mix of sand and gravel.  The geologists and highway department found this aggregate to be perfect for creation of the foundation of the interstate highway.  As they scooped out the aggregate, small lakes were formed and one can drive about 200 miles across NE encountering one small lake after another at an average depth of about 15 feet and often connected by little rivers and streams.  No alligators so it’s all good.

Paul, Krauser and Tom at the brewery!

While in Golden, Rob was researching restaurants in North Platte.  He found a tiny brewery but it is closed on Monday.  He had a question or two and went to “contact us” on their website.  It was fortuitous that the proprietor of the brewery was online when Rob wrote to him and he responded immediately.  Paul told us that, although he was closed on Monday, he would be there and we could stop by for a little tour and a beer if we wished, just knock on the back door.  Well duh, we did that.  He drew several samples of his fine home brews and they were cold, refreshing and delicious, especially the jalapeno lager!  We acquired a growler of that to go!  In the course of the conversation, I learned that Paul hails originally from Wausau, WI.  He learned that I am from Neenah.  He said,

The fourth from the left is Patty.  (I'm the other green
coat.)  This picture was taken in 1962 at Holy
Family Academy in Des Plaines, IL.

“Oh!  My mother-in-law is from Neenah!  Her maiden name is Francart.”  I was startled!  I asked if she was 70 years old and if so, is her name Patty?  “Yes,” Paul replied.  Patty and I went to St. Margaret Mary’s together and then 2 years at a girls’ high school in Des Plaines, IL.  We both returned to Neenah at different times and Patty and I parted ways then.  That was about 54 years ago, when we were 15 years old and I never saw Patty again but I often wondered what had happened to her.  Paul called Patty, who now lives in FL, and put me on the line.  Of course she remembered Linda Kraus!  (I’m unforgettable, mostly because I was always in trouble.)  We were both shocked.  We laughed and laughed and compared life notes.  Now I am reconnected with another childhood friend due to a short stay in North Platte, NE and a chance visit to a local brewery.  What happy webs we weave!  Who knew?!

Patty, now.  Beautiful lady!
(We all survived Catholicism!)

Today’s destination is Gretna, NE.  About halfway, we took a jog in the road and drove along the back road through the pretty farm country dotted with many small towns and parallels the cross-country railroad.  Nebraska is so green and wide open, with blue sky and big fluffy white clouds.  The landscape is sprinkled with horses and cows, brown, black and white (and another animal, the green and yellow John Deere).  The roads, on the other hand, are sprinkled with dead raccoons, porkypines, skunks and the occasional deer.  It took us a long time to get here to our next hotel because we horsed around and took our time.  Hey, we’re retired!  Yay!

Looking across Nebraska!