11 September 2013 Across Nebraska

We left the Double Nickle RV Campground near Waco, Nebraska, at 7:20 this morning in order to get to Grand Island, Nebraska by 9:00--our appointment with Rich & Sons RV Sales and Service to get our broken shackle plates repaired. The Trail Air suspension system that we had installed years were unique to the brand; fortunately the shop had identical plates that could be used. The shackles came in a kit, so the two broken plates were replaced, and the other six that had not broken were also replaced. The original connecting bolts were also replaced.

This Rich & Sons business was amazing! They had repair bays and parts service, and about 12 RVs displayed in an indoor showroom. The RV store was huge, and they had shelf displays that reminded me of Camping World. There was a comfy waiting room, with upholstered couches and chairs, and the restrooms looked like a page from Architectural Digest--modern fixtures, stone inlay detailing on the walls--sleek, fresh, and clean.

Patrice, Marge, Jerry, and I had breakfast at Granny Max's restaurant near the repair shop--good food there, part of a large Pilot travel center. Once the repairs were complete, we hit I-80 once again, heading west. The sky poured heavy rain on and off all day; even so the driving was easy. It was a beautiful drive along the Platte River through flat fields of corn and soybeans. Several herds of black angus cattle grazed in the open fields.

We made it to the Holiday RV Park in North Platte, Nebraska. Both of us had a 15 percent off coupon given to us at the Nebraska Welcome Center. As we got settled, there was more rain--a real deluge as we found the post office and picked up large packages of General Delivery mail forwarded to us.

Applebees was nearby, and an easy dinner for us. We have spent the evening going through the mail as we watched TV programs remembering the 9-11 attacks--replays of the 10 year anniversary programs, most of which we hadn't seen.

We'll be here two days, resting up, doing laundry. This is the town of Wild Bill Cody, and the world's largest train yard.