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Rivers & Lakes

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Nuzzle up with a llama. Celebrate Appalachian heritage through a variety of historic museums. Romp and play in one of our award-winning parks. Tour a hand-blown glass factory. Hang onto your hat at a 26-acre amusement park. Catch a show at our outdoor amphitheater or indoor concert venues. Take a jog or bike ride on our pedestrian trail system. No matter your interests, Huntington has something for every family – laid back or active. Stop by the Visitors Center to pick up your free visitor’s guide!

210 Eleventh Street Huntington, WV 304.525.7333 www.wvvisit.org

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In this issue of Byways you’ll find ourannual Rivers and Lakes theme, fea-turing some of the most well-known

and some of the least-known bodies ofwater in North America.

We start our travels on Lake Ontarioin Orleans County in Upstate New York.

This area is blessed with three bodies of water - a GreatLake, a river teeming with giant trout and salmon, andthe grand Erie Canal. It’s the perfect place to begin thejourney.

Next we’re moving west to another of the Great Lakes,Lake Erie. Take a high speed ferry boat or slow rollingcar ferry to Put-in-Bay onSouth Bass Island, Kelley’sIsland and Pelee Island toexperience a freshwater para-dise. The majority of these andother islands are under the sov-ereignty of the state of Ohio.

In a major feature onBranson’s Lakes, we learn howthe Army Corp of Engineersplayed a major role in creatingthis famous playground of theMidwest, and in Branson’sevolution to become one of themost important entertainmentvenues in North America.

It’s been 200 years since oneof the most famous sea battles in U.S. naval history sur-prisingly did not take place on the sea, but on the turbu-lent waters of Lake Erie between what is now Ontario,Canada and the village of Put-in-Bay, Ohio. OliverHazard Perry is famous for his words across the tepidwaters of Lake Erie, declaring an American victory overthe British.  “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”

From the Great Lakes we move inland to NorthCarolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, where we learnthat the New River is actually the oldest river inAmerica! It was named the New River because it wasnot known to early Atlantic Coast explorers. Despite itsname, the New River is also the third-oldest river in theworld.

In Virginia, New River Trail State Park at Galax hasbeen designated an official National Recreation Trail. Asone of the newest national parklands, the “Grand Canyonof the East” along the New River is majestic and breath-taking in fall colors in mid to late October. The Collis P.

Huntington Railroad Historical Society operates theworld-renowned New River Train excursions throughthe beautiful New River Gorge.

The Shenandoah River in Virginia and West Virginia isthe principal tributary of the Potomac River. The riverwinds through the Shenandoah Valley, which is both ageographic valley and cultural region of western Virginiaand the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Thanks toits unique geography and agricultural abundance, theShenandoah Valley was critical to both sides during theCivil War.

As American history goes, you can’t get much closerto the birth of a nation than on the York River in

Yorktown, Virginia. Andwhat a beautiful day forsailing with YorktownSailing Charters on theSchooners Serenity andAlliance.

It was here on October19, 1781, the articles ofsurrender were signed bythe British, formally end-ing the AmericanRevolutionary War. Thecolonies had gained theirindependence, and theUnited States of Americawas born.

Today Yorktown is partof the Historic Triangle of Yorktown, Jamestown andWilliamsburg.

The Oregon Trail was the principal route west fol-lowed by Americans looking for new opportunities in themid-19th century: the 1840s, 1850s, and 1860s. The trailfollowed the North Platte River through Nebraska, andwe visit some of the most famous landmarks along theOregon Trail.

We also visit the Sandhills of Nebraska, a region ofmixed-grass prairie overlying and anchoring sand dunesthat cover some 20,000 square miles in just over a quar-ter of the state. And along the Middle Loup River we gotanking, one of the most unusual forms of river raftingever conceived!

Finally, in What’s Happening, we travel to Louisvilleto learn how the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour(R) is grow-ing.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Byways.

PREVIEWBy Steve Kirchner, Editor & Publisher

Tanking on the Middle LoupRiver in Nebraska.

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FeaturesRivers & Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Chinooks, Cobblestones and a Canal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Lake Erie Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14New River - America’s Oldest River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Oh, Shenandoah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Sailing Amid History in Yorktown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30The North Platte River and the Oregon Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Tanking the Sandhills of Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Branson’s Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

DepartmentsByways Instant Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Byways Preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Free Byways Subscription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

What’s HappeningHeaven Hill’s Evan Williams Bourbon Experience(TM) Joins The Kentucky Bourbon Trail(R) . . . . 48

Coming in future issues of Byways…Great American Roads, Leading North America TourDestinations . . .Great American Railroads, Mountains and Valleys, and much more!

At right: Marquée andrear of projection screenof Route 66 Drive-in inCarthage, Missouri.Photo courtesy AbeEzekowitz

Volume 30, Issue No. 4, 2013

On the cover. A beautiful Lake Erie sunset near South BassIsland in Ohio. For more on Rivers and Lakes, visit page 8.Cover photo courtesy Green Door Mediaworks.

What do they have in common? The waters ofNew York’s Orleans County of course!Orleans County is thrice blessed with a Great

Lake, a river teeming with giant trout and salmon, andthe grand Erie Canal. And many of the attractions andevents have their origins in these magnetic waters.

An 1891 real estate brochure advertising cottage lots atOak Orchard-On-The-Lake beckoned, “Where wearysouls may rest from care, And sport with boat and rod.”That sentiment is echoed today at the harbor at Point

Breeze, named the 2013 Ultimate Fishing Town by theWorld Fishing Network.

The full-service port offers lodges and B&Bs, restau-rants, marinas, and a fishing charter fleet bristling withrod and reel, poised to lure colossal Chinook salmonfrom the depths. Whether a guided trip on the mightyLake Ontario or a quiet outing on one of our tributariesor smaller lakes for some great warm water fishing, thememories of battles won and lost are waiting for you inOrleans County.

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Oak Orchard Harbor.Photos By Bruce.

Chinooks, Cobblestonesand a Canal

Between 1871 and 1916 the Oak OrchardHarbor Light House stood on a pier on thewest side of the Oak Orchard River, alongwith the keeper’s house. A December stormthen swept the light away, and the pier withit. A replica light house was constructed inJune 2010 at Orleans County Marine Parkon the east side of the river, an authenticreminder of our once-flourishing shippingand resort industries.

The 25-mile shoreline is located on the518-mile Seaway Trail, designated one ofAmerica’s Byways®, featuring maritimeheritage along New York’s freshwatercoastline.

In August 2010 Seaway Trail debutedtheir GeoTrail for hi-tech treasure huntersusing a handheld GPS. Three Seaway Trailgeocaches are hidden in Orleans County(and our Tourism Office has hidden others).Geocaching is a healthy way to explore theoutdoors with kids and the whole family.Visit www.seawaytrail.com/geotrail to

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The mouth of the Oak Orchard River in the town ofCarlton, Orleans County, New York. The promontory

from which this pier extends is known as PointBreeze. Lake Ontario is to the left.

learn how to pick up a log book. And check outwww.geocaching.com for our other caches.

Just off the Seaway Trail, in Kendall, you’ll find theCountry Barn Quilt Trail, looping past 50 quilt blocks onfarm buildings and homes. Each block tells a story ofagrarian life via your cell phone, or a step-on guide willweave these tales aboard your motor-coach.

Cobblestone masonry was popular from1825 to 1860, using the wave-washedstones gathered from the Lake Ontarioshoreline or from deposits left by the gla-ciers. Our Cobblestone Museum, desig-nated a National Historic Landmark,showcases this era of construction whichbegan, matured and ended between thecompletion of the Erie Canal and the startof the Civil War.

The Erie Canal, constructed in 1825,was the catalyst for growth and develop-ment of Orleans County and an industrial-ized United States. It was, literally, theinformation superhighway of its time. Themodern-day Canal is a linear park forboating, kayaking, bicycling, or a quietstroll, threading across lush farmland andquaint Victorian villages.

Taste the bounty of the farm at a roadside market, orhop aboard a train excursion along the Erie Canal.There’s so much more, all within an hour of that otherliquid destination, Niagara Falls. Visit the website atwww.OrleansCountyTourism.com and follow us onFacebook for upcoming events.

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Photos courtesy Orleans County Tourism.

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Aerial view of the village of Put-in-Bay on South Bass Islandwith Perry’s Monument in foreground.

Lake Erie Islands

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Just a short trip away on a high speed ferry boat orslow rolling car ferry, Put-in-Bay and Kelley’s Islandoffer up a freshwater paradise.  This closer-to-home-

Caribbean gives visitors the chance to experience thefeel of an exotic location without breaking the bank.  

Whether it’s kayaking around South Bass Island, para-sailing through the harbor or checking out the best exam-ple of glacial grooves in the world, this tropical summerwill have visitors second guessing their real geographiclocation. 

The Lake Erie Islands are a chain of archipelagicislands in Lake Erie. They include Kelleys Island, PeleeIsland, the Bass Islands, and several others. The majori-ty of these islands are under the sovereignty of Ohio inthe United States.

Pelee Island is the only major island administered byOntario, while the smaller Middle Island is the southern-most point in Canada. Most islands that are large enoughare popular tourist attractions with car ferries runningfrom the mainland and between some islands and somesmall airports and numerous private marinas offeringother ways to reach the islands.

One of the most famous sea battles in U.S. naval his-tory surprisingly did not take place on the sea, but on theturbulent waters of Lake Erie between what is nowOntario, Canada and the village of Put-in-Bay, Ohio.    

It’s been 200 years since a southwest wind carried

A Lake Erie sunset on South Bass Island.Photo courtesy Green Door Mediaworks.

Oliver Hazard Perry’s famous words across the tepidwaters of Lake Erie, declaring an American victory overthe British.  “We have met the enemy and they are ours.” 

A triumphant slogan that can be viewed at Perry’sMonument, the third tallest memorial structure in theworld commemorating the Commodore and his crew.

The Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial Celebrationthrough early September is bringing together hundredsof thousands of people from the U.S., Canada andabroad. 

The Celebration includes a large fleet of Tall Ships ina historic reenactment of the Battle of Lake Erie and agrand Parade of Sail and Port Festivals.  Visitors will beable to tour the Ships, enlist as Crew Members in thereenactment, or be part of the Bicentennial Fleet orMilitia.   Along with Tall Ships activities, surroundingdays include marching bands, fireworks, concerts, food,entertainment, arts & crafts, historical activities and anInternational Freedom Celebration. 

And for those who want to focus a little less on histo-ry, there’s even more reasons to celebrate the Lake ErieIslands.

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Famous Round House Bar withBudweiser Clydesdales during aHistoric Parade. Photo courtesy

Green Door Mediaworks.

The Brig Niagara firing its cannons, offPut-in-Bay, Ohio on Lake Erie. Photo courtesy Lance Woodworth.

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The New River --America’s Oldest!

The New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia is a steel arch bridge thatcarries US 19 over the New River. It opened in 1977 and is one of the longest andhighest steel arch bridges in the Western Hemisphere.

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The New River flows through the states of NorthCarolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Much of theriver's course through West Virginia is designated

as the New River Gorge National River, and the NewRiver is one of the nation's American Heritage Rivers.

It was named the New River because it was not knownto early Atlantic Coast explorers. Despite its name, theNew River is the third-oldest river in the world geologi-cally, and the only nontidal that crosses the AppalachianMountains.

This ancient river begins in the mountains of NorthCarolina near the Tennessee state line, flows northwest-ward across the Blue Ridge Mountains, GreatAppalachian Valley, Ridge and Valley Province, and the

Allegheny Front in western Virginia and West Virginia,then cuts through the Appalachian Plateau (in the NewRiver Gorge) to meet the Gauley River and become theKanawha River in south-central West Virginia.

The New River Gorge offers incredible views, but alsooffers numerous opportunities for white-water recreationsuch as rafting and kayaking. Many open ledges alongthe rim of the gorge offer popular views, with favoritesincluding Hawks Nest State Park and various overlookson lands of the New River Gorge National River.

Few highways cross the gorge, with the most dramat-ic bridge by far being the New River Gorge Bridge onU.S. 19, a steel arch bridge spanning 1,700 feet, with theroadway 876 feet above the river. This structure is the

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Hawks Nest State Park and various overlooks onlands of the New River Gorge in West Virginia.

third-longest arch bridge in the world,and is also the world's twelfth-highestvehicular bridge, and the fourth highestin the Americas.

In North Carolina, a segment of theriver 26.5 miles long was designated asthe “New River State Scenic River” isincluded in the state’s Natural andScenic Rivers System and the NationalWild and Scenic Rivers System.

In Virginia, New River Trail StatePark at Galax has been designated anofficial National Recreation Trail bythe U. S. Department of the Interior.The park parallels 39 miles of the NewRiver, which is among a handful ofrivers flowing north.

The Collis P. Huntington RailroadHistorical Society operates the world-renowned New River Train excursionsthrough the beautiful New River Gorgein southern West Virginia. As one ofthe newest national parklands, the“Grand Canyon of the East” along theNew River is majestic and breathtak-ing in fall colors in mid to late October.

It is during this peak autumn foliagetime that the train traverses the formerChesapeake & Ohio mainline from Huntington, WV toHinton, WV, allowing for a front-row seat to some of the

most spectacular scenery in the country.

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http://www.NewRiverTrain.com

The Shenandoah River is 55.6 miles long with twoforks approximately 100 miles long each inVirginia and West Virginia. The principal tribu-

tary of the Potomac, the river and its tributaries drain thecentral and lower Shenandoah Valley and the PageValley in the Appalachians on the west side of the BlueRidge Mountains, in northwestern Virginia and theEastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

The Shenandoah River is formed northeast of FrontRoyal near Riverton, by the confluence of the SouthFork and the North Fork. Once in West Virginia the riv-

er completes six large bends before joining with thePotomac from the south near Harpers Ferry 20 milesfrom the Virginia-West Virginia border.

The river winds through the Shenandoah Valley,which is both a geographic valley and cultural region ofwestern Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of WestVirginia. The valley is bounded to the east by the BlueRidge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of theRidge-and-Valley Appalachians, to the north by thePotomac River and to the south by the James River. Thecultural region covers a larger area that includes all of

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Oh, Shenandoah

the valley plus the Virginia highlands to the west, and theRoanoke Valley to the south.

The Shenandoah Valley is underlain by limestone. Thefertile soil made it a favored place for early settlement. Itcontinues to be a major agricultural area of Virginia andWest Virginia. The limestone is honeycombed withcaves. Several have been developed as commercialtourist attractions, including Luray Caverns,Shenandoah Caverns, and Skyline Caverns.

On the riverbank a few miles above Harpers Ferry issaid to be a cave with an opening just large enough for amounted rider to squeeze through. It widened in the inte-rior to a spacious room where hundreds of Col. JohnMosby’s raiding troops are said to have hidden from pur-suing Union cavalry.

Shenandoah River State Park is located on the SouthFork of the Shenandoah River and has more than 1,600acres along 5.2 miles of shoreline. The park opened inJune 1999. In addition to meandering river frontage, thepark offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to thewest and Shenandoah National Park to the east. A largeriverside picnic area, picnic shelters, trails, river accessand a car-top boat launch make this a popular destinationfor families, anglers and canoeists. Ten riverfront tentcampsites, a campground with water and electric sites,cabins, camping cabins and a group campground areavailable. With more than 24 miles of trails, the park hasplenty of options for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Front Royal has been designated as the “Canoe Capital

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The Shenandoah River in Page County, Virginia

Rafting on the Shenandoah River near Harpers Ferry,West Virginia. Photo courtesy National Park Service.

of Virginia.” Several outfitters in Front Royal offer tripson the Shenandoah River.

The Shenandoah River is a very popular river forcanoeing, river tubing, and white-water recreation such

as rafting and kayaking, and several commercial outfit-ters offer a variety of guided trips and rentals. Those will-ing to brave the colder water of spring will be rewardedwith a more challenging big-water experience.

The Shenandoah River(left) joins the PotomacRiver at Harpers Ferry,West Virginia. Photocourtesy National ParkService.

Shenandoah Caverns is one of the most popular caves to explorein the Shenandoah Valley. And it’s the only one with an elevator.

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Nearby Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful, his-toric national treasure which includes the scenic 105-mile long Skyline Drive, a designated National ScenicByway. The Park covers the crest of Virginia’s BlueRidge Mountains for over seventy-five miles. TheAppalachian Trail roughly parallels the Skyline Driveand about 101 miles of this trail run through the Park.

There are over 500 miles of hiking trails. Park Rangerprograms are offered. A current list is available in the“Shenandoah Overlook.” Camping is available in thePark as are modern lodge facilities at Skyland Resort andBig Meadows Lodge. Full-service restaurants are atSkyland and Big Meadows plus there are “waysides”with lighter food.

Thanks to its unique geography and agricultural abun-dance, the Shenandoah Valley was critical to both sides

during the Civil War. Indeed, numerous military cam-paigns were waged here.  Because much of the landscaperemains unchanged, modern visitors can retrace the stepsof Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign, Lee’sinvasion north in what would be the GettysburgCampaign, and the campaigns of 1864 including PhilipSheridan’s Shenandoah Campaign. 

With its broad, sweeping campaigns, its effect on thecivilian population, and above all, the accounts of thesoldiers and officers who fought its battles, the Valley isa significant part of the Civil War story. 

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Shenandoah River near Harpers Ferry.Photo courtesy National Park Service.

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It was a beautiful day for sailing on Virginia’s YorkRiver, not far from its opening into Chesapeake Bay.The sun was beating down through the broken

clouds, and the winds were perfect to raise the sails onthe Schooner Serenity, and we could sit back and enjoythe beautiful surroundings.

Just then, Captain Greg Lohse called our attention tothe nearby shoreline. Over there, he said, was the armyof British lord and Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis.They were surrounded by the Continental Army led byGeneral George Washington and French Army troops ledby the Comte de Rochambeau. And right where we werein the river, was an American Naval blockade ofYorktown.

The fire on Yorktown was heavier than ever as newartillery pieces joined the line. Cornwallis talked with

his officers that day and they agreed that their situationwas hopeless.

And right there, on October 19, 1781, the articles ofsurrender were signed by the British, formally ending theAmerican Revolutionary War. The colonies had gainedtheir independence, and the United States of Americawas born.

As American history goes, you can’t get much closerto the birth of a nation than right here on the York Riverin Yorktown, Virginia.

Today Yorktown is part of the Historic Triangle ofYorktown, Jamestown and Williamsburg, and is the east-ern terminus of the Colonial Parkway.

And it’s one of the reasons that Greg and his wifeLaura chose Yorktown to launch Yorktown SailingCharters eight years ago.

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Sailing Amid History on Virginia’s York River

The Schooner Alliance sails the York River.

The York River is a navigable estuary, approximately34 miles long. It ranges in width from 1 mile at its headto 2.5 miles near its mouth on the west side ofChesapeake Bay. Its watershed drains an area includingportions of 17 counties of the coastal plain of Virginianorth and east of Richmond.

With two authentic schooners, the Serenity and theAlliance, Yorktown Sailling Charters offers sailing dailyfrom Yorktown’s beautiful pier. These include morningsailings at 11:00am, afternoon sailings at 2:00pm andevening sunset cruises.

Both Greg and Laura are veteran sailers, having spentyears teaching others the art of sailing. Their specialtyhas been working aboard tall ships, teaching seamanshipand sailing skills to students of all ages and backgrounds.

When they purchased the Serenity in 2000, they

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The British surrender at Yorktown ends theAmerican Revolutionary War.

By Steve Kirchner

Raising the sails on the Serenity.

thought they might offer sailing cruises a few months ayear. But when Yorktown opened a new pier, the oppor-tunity to offer sailing tours at home proved too attractive.

The schooner Alliance was added in 2005, and the twoship fleet now operates daily from April throughOctober. For the winter months the Lohses deadhead theships to the Caribbean where they operate cruises for upto a week exploring the islands of the regions.

“It’s a pretty nice way to make a living,” Greg says.The cruises apeal to customers of all ages, from kids to

seniors. And special group tour rates are available.Once on board, everyone is invited to become a sailor.

Greg and Laura use their teaching skills to help guestsraise the sails as the schooners get underway, an experi-ence they will not soon forget.

Snacks and drinks are available on board.One of the most popular cruises

for kids has become a PirateCruise, where pirates take over theschooner and the rest is history.Once the pirates are in control,down come the traditional sailingflags and up go the black pirateflags.

Each of the schooners has a livecannon which is fired during thecruise. It makes for great theater,and the loud cannon blasts can beheard for miles as they echo underthe George P. Coleman MemorialBridge over the York River.

The bridge itself is a majorattraction from the river, as it opensand closes at a 90 degree angle to

allow U.S. Navyships returning tothe Norfolk NavalShipyard to off loadlive amunitiion atthe the U.S. Navy’sNaval WeaponsStation Yorktown.

Yorktown SailingCharters departfrom the YorktownPier, 425 WaterStreet. Free nearby parking is available. http://www.sai-lyorktown.com. info@sailyorktown.com.

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U.S. Navy vessel passes throughthe Coleman Memorial Bridgeover the York River.

Laura Lohse discusses sailingwith a passengeron board theSerenity.

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North Platte River and

d the Oregon Trail West

Scotts Bluff National Monument, Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. After 1850 thisroute became the primaryroute of the Oregon Trail,

and one of its most visible landmarks.

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The Oregon Trail was the principal route west fol-lowed by Americans looking for new opportuni-ties in the mid-19th century: the 1840s, 1850s, and

1860s. It was a wagon road that followed streams andwound around hills, taking advantage of an ancient net-work of Indian Trails thoughout the West.

In 1812, Fur trapper and trader Robert Stuart, leading

a small party of men for the Astor Company, followedan Indian path in what is now Wyoming and discov-ered South Pass, a wide passage across the ContinentalDivide that made it possible for wagons drawn byoxen or mules to get across the Rocky Mountains.

He and his men pioneered a trail through Wyomingand Nebraska following the North Platte and the PlatteRivers.

North Platte River in Bridgeport,Nebraska.

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Courthouse Rock, a major landmark on the Oregon Trail in Nebraska.

The North Platte River is amajor tributary of the PlatteRiver and is approximately716 miles long, counting itsmany curves. It travels about550 miles distance, along acourse that includesColorado, Wyoming, andNebraska.

The North Platte Riverdrainage has been an impor-tant westward route in thewestward expansion of theUnited States. To get the twoessentials, water and grassfor the traveler's animals, theemigration trails nearlyalways followed river val-leys across the NorthAmerican continent. Thesetrails extended from theMissouri River, Platte Riverand North Platte River across Nebraska and parts ofWyoming and on to its confluence with the Sweetwater

River in Wyoming.In 1825, well-known trapper and guide, Thomas

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Jail Rock is another landmark alongthe Oregon Trail in Nebraska.

Chimney Rock was the most frequently noted,and the most renowned of all the conspicuous

Oregon Trail landmarks.

Fitzpatrick, rediscovered Stuart’s route, and it becamethe central overland route for the commercial fur tradeand subsequently the route of the Oregon Trail.

In 1841 the first emigrant wagon train set out forOregon Territory from Independence, Missouri. Itincluded 80 men, women and children guided byFitzpatrick. They followed the North Platte River, pass-ing Courthouse and Jail Rocks, Chimney Rock, andScott’s Bluff and went through the South Pass.

Courthouse Rock was the first in a chain of NorthPlatte Valley landmarks, an erosional remnant of thechain of blues that extends for 40 miles up the south sideof the North Platte Valley. Chimney Rock was the mostfrequently noted, and the most renowned of all the con-spicuous Oregon Trail landmarks.

In 1842, a military mapping expedition, led by Lt.John C. Fremont, made its way up the Platte and NorthPlatte Rivers. The expedition report became the standardreference for later emigrants.

Beginning in 1847, Mormons migrated to Utah, fol-lowing the Mormon Trail, which closely paralleled theOregon Trail. Over a period of 20 years, some 70,000

Mormons made their way to Utah on foot.Gold was discovered in California in 1848. Within a

year, 90,000 miners had arrived in California. Manycame overland on the Oregon Trail as far as Salt LakeCity, where the California Trail branched off to thesouthwest.

Travel on the California Trail peaked in 1850, but con-tinued until 1860, by which time 200,000 people hadmade the trip.

In 1859 another wave of migrants headed to theColorado gold fields. In 1860-61, the Pony Express, car-rying mail in 10 days between St. Joseph, Missouri andSacramento, California, followed the Oregon Trail as faras Salt Lake City.

Historically, the North Platte River used to be up to amile wide in many places as evidenced by the oldstreambed and written records. Today, by the time theNorth Platte reaches Paxton, Nebraska, it is much small-er due to the extensive water taken from it for irrigation.

38 • Byways

Scotts Bluff National MonumentPark Superintendent KenMabery explains the overlandexperience from the overlook atthe top of the monument.

Byways • 39

The Sandhills of Nebraska is a region of mixed-grass prairie overlying and anchoring sand dunesthat cover some 20,000 square miles in just over a

quarter of the state. They are thought to be the largestdune field in the Western Hemisphere, formed about8,000 years ago during a prolonged drought at the end ofthe last ice age. They were designated aNational Natural Landmark in 1984.

The dunes overlie the massiveOgallala Aquifer, a shallow water tablebeneath the Great Plains that extendsover an area of 174,000 square milesunder portions of eight states. It suppliesdrinking water for more than 80 percentof the people who live on the Plains andabout 30 percent of all ground waterused for irrigation in the United States.

One of the best ways to experience theunique Sandhills enviroment is a floattrip on the Middle Loup River.

Glidden Canoe Rental offers tank tripson the Middle Loup as well as canoe andkayak rentals on the Middle Loup andDismal Rivers. Tank trips are typically

two or five hours. You’ll assemble at the Sandhills Motelin Mullen, Nebraska, where owner Mitch Glidden offersa personal welcome.

It’s a short 10 minute ride to the Middle Loup whereyou’ll see the tanks you’ll be floating in for the first time.They look more like drinking tanks for livestock than the

40 • Byways

Tanking the Sandhills of Nebraska

Wild horses enter the Middle LoupRiver to check out these strange tanks.

traditional rafts usually encountered onfloat trips. In fact, that is exactly whatthey are -- retired metal tanks used tofeed livestock on the open plains of theOgallala Aquifer.

Each tank comes with its own guide,and holds 5-7 riders. You'll put on lifejackets for the float, but no seat belts.While shorts and swimsuits are thepreferable clothing for the trip, most willmake the trip without getting wet. Thetrip is relaxing, and best of all, the onlyskill required is the ability to lean backand let your tank float. With a picniclunch provided by Glidden Canoerental, you never have to think aboutbringing food or drink along, as it isprovided for the group.

The stock tanks are practicallyunsinkable, seven-to-nine-foot tanksperfect for people who prefer to stay drywhile travelling the Sandhills rivers. From young chil-dren to seniors, the tank rides provide a relaxing, saferide for everyone.

As much as 85 percent of the Sandhills region is intactnatural habitat. This is largely because the land has nev-er been plowed. The fragility of the sandy soil makes thearea unstable for cultivation of crops, and the region wasconsidered desert until the 1870s when cattlemen beganto discover its potential as rangeland for longhorn cattle.

Today, the Sandhills are still a productive cattle ranch-ing area, supporting more than a half-million beef cattle.As you travel through some of these ranches on theMiddle Loup River, don’t be surprised to encounter theunexpected, including wild horses curious about all theactivity on the river.

For more information:http://www.sandhillsmotel.com/river-adventures/mid-

dle-loup-river-trips/#sthash.MnJEhIvc.dpuf

Byways • 41

42 • Byways

Branson’s Lakes

Table Rock Dam constructed in 1958 on the White River by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It became one of the most populardraws for nearby Branson.

Byways • 43

It’s a great story. In the late 1960s, two family-ownedand country-themed theaters moved to Highway 76in Branson, and the Branson entertainment strip is

born. They are joined by leading entertainers fromthroughout the country. They build their own theaters,and the sleepy little town of Branson in the Ozarks ofMissouri overnight turns into the leading live entertain-ment venue in the country, and one of America's top trav-el destinations.

It’s a great story, and for many years, I had no reasonto doubt it. But it’s not the whole story.

In fact, Branson's success has as much or more to dowith the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as it does withtheaters on the Branson Strip.

In 1882, Reuben Branson opened a general store andpost office in the area. Branson was formally incorporat-

ed in 1912 and construction of the Powersite Dam near-by on the White River which would form LakeTaneycomo was completed.

From 1913 until 1958 it was a warm water lake. In the1930s, tourists began to be drawn to the lake and its near-by communities, including Branson.

Recognizing the potential of these new visitors, 12-year Branson mayor and entrepreneur Jim Owen, builtthe first theater in 1934 on Commercial Street, original-ly called “The Hillbilly Theater” which began to attractpeople from far and wide to tour the area.

That early success grew substantially with the creationof Table Rock Lake in southwestern Missouri and north-western Arkansas. The lake is impounded by Table RockDam constructed in 1954-1958 on the White River bythe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It became one of the

44 • Byways

The Branson Skyline at dusk on Lake Taneycomo.Photo courtesy Branson/Lakes Area

Convention and Visitors Bureau.

most popular drawsfor visitors to near-by Branson, bring-ing thousands ofnew people to thearea each year.

There are severalcommercial mari-nas along the lake,and Table RockState Park is locat-ed on the east side,both north andsouth of TableRock Dam.

Today you can enjoy a cruise on Table RockLake on the Showboat Branson Belle. Journeypast lush Ozark Mountains on the crystal clearwaters of Table Rock Lake during a two-hourlake cruise, experiencing fabulous Bransondining and the best in Branson shows.

The completion of Table Rock Dam in 1958changed the source of water to Taneycomofrom that of the White River’s flowing watersto the bottom tailwater of Table Rock Lakefrom the dam spillway and made it into a coldwater lake. The clear cold waters from thedeep tailwaters of Table Rock Lake pour out ofthe dam into Lake Taneycomo. Downstreamfrom the dam, the Missouri Department ofConservation operates a fish hatchery, which is

Byways • 45

The Branson Belle on Table Rock Lake.

used to stock trout in Lake Taneycomo. The cold waterdischarged from the dam creates a trout fishing environ-ment in Lake Taneycomo.

In 1894 William Henry Lynch bought Marble Cave(renamed Marvel Cave) and began charging visitors totour it. Hugo and Mary Herschend leased the cave for 99years in 1950 and began hosting square dances in it. TheHerschend Family modernized the cave with electricityand concrete staircases, and in 1960, the Herschendsopened Silver Dollar City, which was a recreation of afrontier town that featured five shops, a church and a logcabin with actors that played out the feud between theHatfields and the McCoys.

Silver Dollar City theme parkevolved around the entrance to thecave. Marvel Cave is a wet limestonecave, complete with formations thatare still alive and growing.

To begin, travel 300 feet below thesurface and enter the Cathedral Room,the largest cave entrance room in theUnited States. Note: 600 stairs (300down and 300 up).

Today, Silver Dollar City is celebrat-ing more than 50 years of entertainingfamilies. Step back in time to an 1880scraft village filled with the best crafts,thrill rides, family attractions and festi-vals. Thrill ride enthusiasts around theworld will mark a first-of-its-kind ridedebut at Branson, the opening of

Outlaw Run, the world’s most daring wood coaster. Thepark’s biggest investment in a single ride in the pastdecade, the new $10 million ride sends passengers soar-ing through the Ozark Mountains on a ground-breakingwood coaster.

In addition to the natural wonders, world class artisansand breathtaking thrill rides, Silver Dollar City is alsoknown for delectable home-style meals at restaurantsthroughout the park. Find traditional favorites on a grandscale and treats that will travel with you as you strollthrough the City’s streets.

In 1962 Paul Henning, inspired by a Boy Scout camp-

46 • Byways

One of two of the original Branson acts, the Baldknobbers.Photo courtesy of the Branson/Lakes Area Convention andVisitors Bureau.

Branson Veterans Memorial. Photo courtesy of theBranson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

ing trip to the Ozarks, created TheBeverly Hillbillies which ran on first-runtelevision until 1971. The first fiveepisodes of Season 8 in 1969 are set in theBranson area when the Clampettsreturned to their home. Henning laterdonated 1,534 acres for the Ruth and PaulHenning Conservation Area nearBranson.

The Presley Family (no relation to ElvisPresley) became the first to move theirshow, Presleys’ Country Jubilee, toHighway 76 in 1967, followed a year lat-er by the Baldknobbers. EventuallyBranson would have more than 50 the-aters, most of them located on Highway76. Today the The Presleys invite you tocome on in, have a seat and lose yourselfin an evening of great music and hilarious comedy.  Thekind of timeless American Entertainment you can sharewith the whole family!

You can still see “The Show that Started it All!” ThisBranson family entertainment phenomenon began morethan 50 years ago in 1959 when the four Mabe brothers,known as the Baldknobbers, began entertaining visitorson the Branson lakefront. Today, the 2nd & 3rd genera-tions of the Mabe family carry on the family tradition ofgreat country music and hilarious comedy. In 2011, theBaldknobbers’ original costumes and instrumentsbecame part of the permanent collection of theSmithsonian Institution’s National Museum of AmericanHistory. See why this show remains popular from gener-ation to generation.

In 1983 Branson began its transformation into a majortourist attraction when the Roy Clark Celebrity Theatreopened and began to bring famous country music stars toBranson. Many of the performers who have had theirown theaters in Branson first discovered Branson whenthey performed at this venue.

Branson has become a specialplace that recognizes U.S. veter-ans on a daily basis.

The Veterans MemorialMuseum in Branson is a nation-al tribute to the brave men andwomen who defended our liber-ties during the 20th century. Asvisitors wander the great hallsof the museum they are capti-vated by the stories of thesemen and women who gave somuch. The museum is filledwith the most incredible collec-tion of wartime exhibits cover-ing the heights and depths ofhuman experience.

Branson has become the most

popular destination in the country for military reunions,and a major reason is the special recognition reserved forveterans at virtually every show in town. And with 50theaters offering multiple shows each day, that's alot ofattention. Usually each show includes a tribute to veter-ans, and they are asked to stand and be recognized atsome point during each performance.

Explore Branson Landing and take a cruise aboard theLake Queen paddle wheeler. Branson’s newest largescale addition includes waterfront shopping, dining,entertainment and more than 100 stores. Cruise south tothe Historic Lake Taneycomo Bridge as you hear aboutBranson history. Pass beneath majestic Mt. Branson asyou wind your way back north towards the 95-acreBranson Landing waterfront to witness the $7.5 millionspectacular water attraction, merging water, fire, andmusic.

Yes, Branson is still a great story. But it’s a story thathas as much to do Branson’s Lakes and outdoor recre-ation as it does with indoor celebrity entertainment.

Byways • 47

Branson Belle Stage

The Branson Belle. Photo courtesy Branson/LakesArea Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail(R) adventure is barrel-ing into the River City, with Heaven HillDistilleries’ new Evan Williams Bourbon

Experience(TM) becoming the eighth stop on the world-famous journey and the first ever in Louisville.

“Our pioneer distillers like Evan Williams probablynever dreamed what they were starting when they settledhere generations ago,” said Louisville Mayor GregFischer. “Now, I can’t imagine what Louisville would bewithout the Bourbon industry.”

More than 2.5 million people have visited KentuckyBourbon Trail(R) distilleries in the last five years, saidKDA President Eric Gregory.

The iconic journey features Four Roses and WildTurkey in Lawrenceburg; Heaven Hill’s BourbonHeritage Center in Bardstown; Jim Beam in Clermont;Maker’s Mark in Loretto; Town Branch in Lexington;and Woodford Reserve in Versailles.

Gregory cited a recent University of Louisville studythat analyzed the surging impact of Bourbon tourism andthe Kentucky Distillery Association’s “Passport” pro-gram that rewards visitors with a complimentary t-shirtwhen they tour all seven distilleries.

Each Passport holder spends an average of $737 ontheir trip, the study found.

“With nearly 50,000 completed Passports since 2007,the Kentucky Bourbon Trail alone is responsible forpouring more than $35 million into local coffers in thelast five years,” Gregory said.

“That’s an incredible amount, and it’s only going to getbigger with the addition of the Evan Williams BourbonExperience and all that Louisville has to offer as a

Kentucky Bourbon Trail anchor.” The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience(TM), located at

528 West Main Street, celebrates the legacy ofKentucky’s first commercial distiller and namesake ofHeaven Hill’s flagship Bourbon brand, the second

48 • Byways

Heaven Hill Distillery barrelentry rack. Photo courtesywww.kentuckytourism.com

Woodford Reserve Mint Julep.www.kentuckytourism.com

Heaven Hill’s Evan Williams Bourbon Experience(TM) Joins TheKentucky Bourbon Trail(R) Tour

largest-selling Bourbon in the United States and theworld.

Williams, circa 1755-1810, was an early Trustee of theCity of Louisville, wharfmaster and builder. He estab-lished his distillery in 1783 near what is now 6th andMain streets, almost directly across the street from wherethe new attraction is located.

The educational experience offers guided tourswhere guests travel back int i m e

to see Evan Williams'original distillery, Louisville town hall meet-

ings and wharf scenes and video renderings of turn-of-the-century Whiskey Row.

The highlight is a fully functioning artisanal pot stilldistillery, with gleaming copper pot stills that are a mod-ern version of the same type of equipment EvanWilliams used in his dis-tillery more than 200years ago.

“We're confident thatthis new attraction willcontinue the revitaliza-tion of Whiskey Row andbring the same kind ofsuccess that we’ve beenfortunate to receive withour Bourbon HeritageCenter in Bardstown,”said Harry J. Shapira,Executive Vice Presidentfor Heaven Hill.

Marcheta Sparrow,Secretary of theKentucky Tourism, Artsand Heritage Cabinet,said the KentuckyBourbon Trail(R) programis “perhaps the mostinnovative and bestexample of private sectortourism developmentKentucky has ever expe-rienced.

“The combination ofLouisville’s rich Bourbonhistory, the new EvanWilliams BourbonExperience and theKentucky Bourbon Trailhas enormous potential torival California’s winecountry in terms of visi-

tors and impact,” she said. Louisville’s eclectic Bourbon nightlife - as highlighted

by the Urban Bourbon Trail(R) - is a perfect complementto the Kentucky Bourbon Trail(R) tourist, said Jim Wood,President and CEO of the Louisville Convention andVisitors Bureau.

“ W h e n

you come toLouisville to start or finish your

Passport at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience,we’re going to entice you with a diverse variety ofBourbon offerings, from classic restaurants and bars toBourbon-themed hotels and more. We think you’regoing to want to stay a few extra days.”

Kentucky is the birthplace of Bourbon, producing 95percent of the world’s supply, generating $2 billion ingross state product, and providing 9,000 jobs.

Byways • 49

What’s HappeningWhat’s Happening

Historical Marker indowntown Louisville.

50 • Byways

Byways is published bi-monthly by Byways, Inc. and distributed electronically throughout North America.Byways is emailed to more than 4000 tour operators plus selected travel agencies through the internet. Subscriptionsare complimentary. An iPad & iPhone version is available for consumers in iTunes and Newsstand in the App Store.

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Byways • 51

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