Fort Robinson, Nebraska

Wow, I think we found the best vacation value in the entire United States. A special thanks to Jane Welch from Rush Hospital in Chicago for recommending we visit Fort Robinson in northwestern Nebraska. As we left the Black Hills of South Dakota and headed southwest, the scenery went from grand to drab in less than 30 miles. We were beginning to wonder if we might have made a mistake detouring over to Fort Robinson, but soon found ourselves among sandstone bluffs sprinkled with pine trees.

The fort is now a state park, offering camping, fishing, horseback riding and tons of history (http://www.stateparks.com/fort_robinson.html). This is the site where Crazy Horse was either murdered by a bayonet in the back, or killed while resisting arrest, depending upon which side of the story you believe. Many of the old buildings still remain, and some can even be rented on a nightly basis. It is an amazing place -- and the prices are unbelievable.

The campground was one of the best we have stayed in, with paved roads and large sites, plus green grass and shade trees everywhere. We practically had the entire place to ourselves. Cost -- $15 dollars a night! We went to the hotel (the old fort barracks) and had their dinner special -- buffalo fried steak with all the trimmings. Total cost for four: $40!

In the morning Laura, Brian and I went for a horseback ride up on top of the bluffs above the fort. It was a spectacular morning and the scenery was gorgeous. The cost of a 75 minute ride: $17 per person (compared with $80 for two hours in Oregon). We met Teressa for breakfast after the ride. Ham, eggs, pancakes for four -- total cost, $22! I almost felt guilty.

We wish we could have stayed a week. We didn't get a chance to rent a jeep and go 4 wheeling, see the museum, take a horse and buggy ride, use the heated indoor pool, or go to the local rodeo. If you are looking for a great outdoor family vacation spot at a reasonable price, this is it! And the kids might learn a little history too, but don't spoil it by telling them ahead of time! ;-)