There's oil in Nebraska? You bet! Western Nebraska is the home of yet another natural resource - oil. We had the privilege of meeting a Nebraska man who showed us the ins and outs of oil production. We were able to pump raw oil from a rig and watch the settling process. We were surprised at how much water is pumped out with the oil. He then explained how the water is separated out and returned to the ground. The oil is then stored in a tank until it is sold and transported. Make sure that when you study Nebraska's natural resources, you don't forget oil.

We drove to the Nebraska/Wyoming border to check out the Platte River. We were surprised to see that at the border, the river was channeled to a huge canal, leaving almost no water in the river itself. This canal is the main source for the irrigation systems.

Once again, the importance of water rights and usage was reinforced. Hydrology is truly an amazing industry that few of us know much about! Yet, our state's economy depends so much on this invisible system.

Another important landmark of the Oregon Trail, and a great hiking experience for those not afraid of heights, is Scottsbluff Monument. We made a quick stop to enjoy the view from the top and take a GPS reading. Some of the group members hiked down the monument with a guide who discussed the erosion process taking place in the area. Talk about Chimney Rock and Scottsbluff when discussing erosion with your students.

Day | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Return to Travel Nebraska Main Page