{"id":34949,"date":"2021-10-24T08:10:07","date_gmt":"2021-10-24T14:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34949"},"modified":"2022-04-03T08:30:54","modified_gmt":"2022-04-03T14:30:54","slug":"panorama-point-the-nebraska-state-high-point-5-22-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34949","title":{"rendered":"Panorama Point, the Nebraska State High Point (5-22-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 15 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to New Mexico!<\/em><\/p>\n

5-22-21, 6:42 AM, 40\u00baF, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico –<\/em><\/p>\n

We’re turning around, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 Sorry, Loopster!\u00a0 It’s not happening.<\/em><\/p>\n

The RAV4 had made it a few miles W of the pass along USFS Road No. 144 where Lupe had started for Polvadera Peak<\/span><\/a> (11,232 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> yesterday, but directly ahead was a stretch of very rough road.\u00a0 The intention had been to start the day with an ascent of Cerro de la Garita<\/span><\/a> (10,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but it was still miles away, and Lupe’s RAV4 was practically brand new!\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t about to abuse it like this.<\/p>\n

So Cerro de la Garita was out.\u00a0 Morning sun shining directly into SPHP’s eyes, the scenic drive back E to Espanola began.<\/p>\n

Turned out, not much else was going to happen on this Dingo Vacation, either.\u00a0 It was time to start for home, and farther N the peaks on Lupe’s list of possibilities for this trip were all too high, still blanketed in snow.\u00a0 It was a gorgeous drive, though, through some parts of New Mexico and Colorado Lupe had never been to before.\u00a0 For hundreds of miles, the Carolina Dog was content riding in comfort on her pink blanket while enjoying all the fabulous scenery.\u00a0 Cows, horses, sometimes even sheep!<\/p>\n

Now and then SPHP stopped to let the American Dingo get out to stretch and sniff the air for a few minutes, but SPHP seemed to have a different sense of what the journey’s highlights were.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rio Grande River<\/strong> from Hwy 68, S of Taos, New Mexico.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Blanca Peak<\/span><\/a> (14,345 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) from Hwy 160, NE of Fort Garland, Colorado.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Colorado, everything was green E of the Rockies.\u00a0 Clouds hung low over the prairie, hiding the mountains, as heavy showers drifted slowly E.\u00a0 Once SPHP turned N onto I-25, the interesting part of the drive was over as far as Loopster was concerned.\u00a0 Nothing but traffic.\u00a0 Nap time!<\/p>\n

A long nap it was, too.\u00a0 SPHP thought about taking Hwy 24 NE out of Colorado Springs, then turning N on Hwy 71 way out on the prairie, but didn’t do it, a decision soon regretted as rain, construction, and accidents made a stop and go mess of I-25 all the way to Denver and beyond.<\/p>\n

After fueling the RAV4 at Exit 269 near Fort Collins, instead of returning to I-25, SPHP drove E on Hwy 14 toward Briggsdale.\u00a0 Lupe yawned.<\/p>\n

Finally wised up and getting us out of all the horrendous traffic, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, wised up in more ways than one, actually.<\/em><\/p>\n

What do you mean, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Rather late as far as ditching the traffic goes, since we were already past the worst of it, but I happened to think about one more thing we ought do on this Dingo Vacation.<\/em><\/p>\n

And what might that be?<\/em><\/p>\n

How would you like to see some buffalo, Looper?<\/em><\/p>\n

You know I’d love that, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, if we can get there before it gets dark, you might get to see some.<\/em><\/p>\n

Get where before dark?<\/em><\/p>\n

Panorama Point<\/span><\/a> (5,429 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Loop!\u00a0 Highpoint of the state of Nebraska!\u00a0 It’s at the far SW corner of the Nebraska panhandle on a buffalo ranch.<\/em><\/p>\n

That sounds great, SPHP!\u00a0 Drive a little faster, would you?\u00a0 Don’t want to miss out on the buffalo!<\/em><\/p>\n

5-22-21, 8:00 PM, 53\u00baF, Nebraska state line –<\/em> Of all the rotten luck!\u00a0 Poor Loop wasn’t going to get to see much of anything at Panorama Point, even though the evening light hadn’t completely faded away yet.\u00a0 20 miles from Panorama Point, SPHP had driven into dense fog.<\/p>\n

Standing cheerfully in a raw 20-25 mph E wind next to a big sign at the Nebraska state line, Lupe didn’t seem to realize what that meant yet.\u00a0 By the looks of the big grin on her face, the excited Carolina Dog was still eagerly anticipating all those glorious buffalo spread out across the Nebraska plains, a notion the sign greatly reinforced.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the High Point Bison sign just inside the Nebraska state line.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Apparently High Point Bison is the name preferred by the owners of the ranch where Panorama Point is located.\u00a0 Lupe thought it a marvelous name!\u00a0 0.1 mile N of the High Point Bison sign, SPHP turned L (W) off County Road No. 203.\u00a0 Another sign at the turn explained the rules for public access.\u00a0 Basically a $3.00 per person fee, and no messing around with the buffalo – vehicle access only, no hiking or biking in.<\/p>\n

The pay station was out of envelopes, so SPHP just wrote a check and slid it into the red metal drop box.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the entrance to High Point Bison<\/strong>, aka Panorama Point<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Public access rules set by the landowners.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After paying the fee, there was no gate to open or close entering the ranch, only a cattle guard to drive over, a rather nice convenience on such a blustery, damp evening.\u00a0 Panorama Point was a little over a mile farther W.\u00a0 Sadly, the fog was so thick only the pasture next to the dirt road could be seen during the drive in.<\/p>\n

Near the end, the access road curved NW.\u00a0 Lupe was soon standing in fog, light rain, and the chill E wind at Nebraska’s remote state high point, which featured a small monument, a black desk, and a handsome bench placed by the HighpointersFoundation.org<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Panorama Point, Nebraska<\/strong>, Lupe’s 5th state high point. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, the first thing to do was to check out the stone monument.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the monument marking Nebraska’s state high point<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The monument inscription.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next, Lupe went over to have a look at the world from the Highpointers bench.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Standing on the Highpointers bench, since it was rather wet for sitting on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
History-related plaque attached to the bench.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The world, at least this little chunk of it, looked foggy and damp, and was sorely lacking in the promised buffalo Lupe had come to see.<\/p>\n

Come on, Looper, let’s go!<\/em><\/p>\n

What?\u00a0 Wait a minute, SPHP!\u00a0 Where are all the buffalo?\u00a0 I don’t see any!<\/em><\/p>\n

I know it, but that’s the way it goes, Loop.\u00a0 They’re probably somewhere out there in the fog, but we can’t stray too far from the RAV4 looking for them.\u00a0 Not allowed.\u00a0 Not to mention that it would be pretty easy to get lost.\u00a0 Wouldn’t be a very fun night outdoors, either, that’s for sure.<\/em><\/p>\n

But this is a state high point, and we just got here!\u00a0 Aren’t you even going to sign us in at the registry?\u00a0 It must be in that black desk, don’t you think?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, probably, but no!\u00a0 Forget that!\u00a0 Not going to stand here in the cold wind and miserable rain any longer.\u00a0 Maybe we can come back sometime on a nicer day to sign in and see the buffalo?<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP wasn’t going to give in.\u00a0 Reluctantly, Lupe hopped back into the RAV4.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to leave lovely Panorama Point<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Will you at least promise me we really will come back to see the buffalo some day, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, I suppose so.\u00a0 Sorry to have disappointed you this evening, Lupe.\u00a0 Just bad luck.\u00a0 You really will get to see them someday.\u00a0 I promise.<\/em><\/p>\n

And then, on the short drive out, a minor miracle occurred.\u00a0 Suddenly, the last of the ground fog streamed by and the rain ended.\u00a0 A strong cold wind still blew out of the E, but it was now possible to see.\u00a0 Just S of the road there was a fence.\u00a0 In the evening gloam beyond the fence there was a big wind farm in the distance.\u00a0 Something else was out there, too.<\/p>\n

SPHP!\u00a0 Stop!\u00a0 Stop!\u00a0 There they are!\u00a0 The buffaloes!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Out to see the buffaloes near Panorama Point<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like magic, promise kept.\u00a0 And at the end of a wonderful Dingo Vacation, yet another Dingo dream come true!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near Panorama Point<\/strong>, Nebraska’s state high point, 5-22-21.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2021<\/span> Dingo Vacations to New Mexico, Wyoming & the West Coast Adventure Inde<\/strong><\/span>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 15 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to New Mexico! 5-22-21, 6:42 AM, 40\u00baF, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico – We’re turning around, SPHP? Yup.\u00a0 Sorry, Loopster!\u00a0 It’s not happening. The RAV4 had made it a few miles W of the pass along USFS Road No. 144 where Lupe had started for Polvadera … Continue reading Panorama Point, the Nebraska State High Point (5-22-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34936,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1416],"tags":[105,106,26,104,606,1457,1456],"class_list":["post-34949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1416","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-nebraska","tag-nebraska-state-high-point","tag-panorama-point"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_0656.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34949"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34949\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39200,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34949\/revisions\/39200"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34949"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34949"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}