Corn, corn,., no wait that was yesterday

Today is coal, coal everywhere.  Well, OK really it was just on a lot of trains heading east.  We saw at least 10 trains, and the one that went by while we were taking a shade/water/stretch break counted out as 138 bottom dump cars heaped over with coal.  Thats a lot of coal.

We also happened upon an original Pony Express station (relocated) by noting and following a sign in a town we were passing through

And the mission/goal of the day was to visit the great Oregon Trail landmark known as Chimney Rock.  Which is apparently not as impressive as it used to be.  Time and weathering are making it smaller all the time and some day it will just be Rock.. then dirt.  Very nice visitor center with lots of interesting tidbits and old photos of the rock documenting it's demise.

day miles 359, trip miles 5,351, odometer 38,176

Pony express station in Gothenburg NE.  Note the AC comfort they had.

Fortunately the Oregon Trail pioneers had this sign to warn them about rattlesnakes. 

Chimney Rock as it looks today, without signs to block the view.