Highway 71 re-revisited

The drive to Rapid City went largely without event until reaching the plateau between the South and North Platte River drainages. Wind began gusting from the west in the 50 MPH range and dust clouds lifting from barren cropland often obscured the roadway until sunset overtook the rig near Crawford, Nebraska.

Canada geese appeared in nearly every stubble field in the umber Arkansas drainage and Sandhill cranes could still be heard overhead. Perhaps most surprising was the complete absence of snow, even on Raton Pass.

A favorite from the Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival

Sandhill cranes on the wing

 Near the Nebraska/Wyoming border

the needle and the damage done