June 12, 2006 - Kansas City to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska
Today was the true beginning of my Oregon Trail trip, as the settlers really began from the southwest Kansas City area.

I caught the hotel shuttle to the airport early in the morning.  However, there was a low overcast, so I sat around in the airport  until it looked good enough to fly around 10:30 AM.  Here I am just about to roll for takeoff.
   
A shot of Kansas City Aviation Center (KCAC), the FBO where I kept the Citabria.
   
I skirted the southern edge of Kansas City then flew west for awhile to avoid some towered airports.  Turning north, I crossed the Kansas River just west of Topeka.    Here, I'm looking east down the Kansas River towards Topeka.
   

Soon after I crossed the Kansas River, I caught up with the Oregon Trail.  I was very excited at this point.  After years dreaming about it, I was finally flying the trail, on my own, in the middle of the country where I'd never been before. 
 
Soon I came to a spot where the book -- "The Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails by Air” by William White -- said there were wagon wheel ruts.  I circled at 500-1000 feet looking hard but I didn't see anything that I could definitively say were ruts.  The terrain was a little hilly and uncultivated so I was a little surprised I didn't see anything. 
 
   
The visibility wasn't that great because of the haze.  The Oregon Trail wasn't following a river at this stage; it was just angling northwest across the grass covered hills.
   
This road straddles the Kansas - Nebraska state line.    The visibility started improving and the land was being farmed.
   
I arrived over the Rock Creek Pony Express station where there were supposed to be some ruts.  I saw a Visitor's Center with a covered wagon out front and sure enough, there were significant ruts running right out the visitor's center.  These were my first confirmed ruts!

The Pony Express only ran for a year and a half from 1860 to 1861.  Stations were positioned every 15 to 20 miles.

The visitor's center is next to the circular parking lot in the center of the picture.  The yellow arrow points to the ruts that run diagonally also in the center of the image.
   
While continuing northwest, I flew over this little airport and decided to land on their grass runway.  The airport was Fairbury (WFBY) - elevation 1,479 feet.
   
Parked on the Fairbury ramp.  The women attendant told me that the Oregon Trail ran right through the airport grounds.
   
I came across some nice open farm country -- perfect for a little low-level action.
   
I continued flying northwest until I reached the Platte River and Interstate 80, just east of Kearney.  It was around here that the aviation chart color changed ominously from green to tan.  From now on, the ground would rise steadily all the way to the Rockies.  I turned west and followed the Platte.  The trail ran along the river's south side.
   
Fort Kearney, on the southern side of the North Platte River.

"Not quite midway across the Nebraska Territory, Ft. Kearny was the first military post built to protect the Oregon Trail emigrants. Although many of the buildings were made of sod, weary travelers could rest, replenish supplies, and send mail. According to Oregon Trail records, ten thousand oxen and two thousand emigrants could pass through Ft. Kearny on a single day."
   
The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, straddling Interstate 80, in Kearney
   
Kearney Municipal airport (KEAR) - elevation 2,131 feet - on the north side of the river.  This was a big Replacement Training Base for B-17 and B-29 crews during World War II.  I stopped here to get gas and a quick bite to eat.  The FBO let me use their courtesy car and I went into town for some fast food.  Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to tour the Fort or the Archway Monument.
   
This part of Nebraska is called America's crossroads.  The Oregon Trail, Pony Express, First Transcontinental Railroad, Lincoln Highway and Interstate 80 all went or go through here.
   
There are three rail lines here.  In this picture there is one train heading west and another heading east.
   
 
   
The Oregon Trail ran south of the river.  Notice how brown it's getting?
   
The terrain was definitely changing from flatland to hilly, from farmland to open range.
   
The only green was near the river.
   
Some excellent ruts (running from bottom to top of the left side of the picture).  I took this picture heading south with the camera pointing east.
   
Buttes appeared on the north side of the river.
   
Courthouse Rock.  This was the first of many geological landmarks the immigrants, and myself, would see.
   
The first sighting of Chimney Rock in the distance.
   
Chimney Rock.  If any one thing symbolizes the Oregon Trail, this is it.
   
Chimney Rock is deserving of a closer look.
   
I continued along the North Platte River to Scotts Bluff airport (KBFF) - elevation 3,967 feet.  My plan was to spend the night here, and do some sightseeing in the morning..
   
The Citabria got to spend the night in a hangar with an RV-8 and a Champ.
   
Some interesting looking clouds in the big sky.
   
I stayed at the Candlelight Inn which isn't your usual motel.  First of all, they keep a courtesy car at the airport for transient pilots like myself.  The hallway is filled with sofas, chairs, books, and nicknacks.  The rooms are like your bedroom back at home.  Recommended, if you are ever in Scotts Bluff.
   
 
   
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