I took the advice of some good people on this forum and drove across the High Plains, north to the Western-most tip of Nebraska. The trip from Golden, Colorado goes across the High Plains, and our route took us through the Pawnee National Grasslands. It is mostly broad open spaces with trees only along the stream courses.
The ranches and skies are big out here. Traffic is gloriously sparse. Service people at diners and even fast food restaurants are friendly and courteous (I am sure there are exceptions) and patrons seem to know each other as well as the service staff.
The Museum is more extensive than I had imagined. They have what likely is the largest and most complete collection of firearms made for the Indians. There are 4 rows of these firearms with some dating from the mid-1600s, with more on the wall displays. There are rifles for regular warriors and for Chiefs. There are those rifles made in Great Britain and supplied to their Indian allies, rifles from America to draw Indian allies of the British to the American side. Similarly, there are French and Russian rifles made for the Indians.
Of course, there are Northwest, Hawken (Samuel and Jacob and other Hawken family members) made rifles, buffalo guns and a few Pennsylvania (Kentucky) rifles.
There are other rooms with fur trader gear, including mountain and Hawken style rifles; voyageurs and their canoes and gear.
In the Indian gun room there was not enough space to get decent photos through the glass or plexiglass, so I don't have many. I will put up some more once I settle back in at home.
Ron
The ranches and skies are big out here. Traffic is gloriously sparse. Service people at diners and even fast food restaurants are friendly and courteous (I am sure there are exceptions) and patrons seem to know each other as well as the service staff.
The Museum is more extensive than I had imagined. They have what likely is the largest and most complete collection of firearms made for the Indians. There are 4 rows of these firearms with some dating from the mid-1600s, with more on the wall displays. There are rifles for regular warriors and for Chiefs. There are those rifles made in Great Britain and supplied to their Indian allies, rifles from America to draw Indian allies of the British to the American side. Similarly, there are French and Russian rifles made for the Indians.
Of course, there are Northwest, Hawken (Samuel and Jacob and other Hawken family members) made rifles, buffalo guns and a few Pennsylvania (Kentucky) rifles.
There are other rooms with fur trader gear, including mountain and Hawken style rifles; voyageurs and their canoes and gear.
In the Indian gun room there was not enough space to get decent photos through the glass or plexiglass, so I don't have many. I will put up some more once I settle back in at home.
Ron
