NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/498175
MAY 2015 • NEBRASKAland 25 taking a short break by herself near some dying trees and water. They were the first morels she has ever picked, and she saw large turtles and many birds during her respite, too. Jamie and I were so proud of her. The ride from O'Neill to Stuart was relatively short and pleasant, considering our long ride the day before. Jamie, Bob, Jim, Verna and I stayed at The Sister's House, a beautiful Victorian home that became the residence of over 100 religious women of the School Sisters of St. Francis when St. Boniface Church purchased the house in 1920. The public can now reserve the house for private parties and meetings; it was perfect for weary Cowboy Trail travelers. Nearby, St. Boniface Church was a sight to behold. Carine and Larry stayed in their camper at Stuart Park, which had hook-ups and showers. There was still plenty of daylight left. Jamie took out her ukulele and sang for us on the porch. It was pleasantly warm, and the soft breeze that afternoon felt good on our skin under the shade of the house. We got to know each other better that afternoon. We learned that Jim Kropatsch used to work for a medical equipment company in Columbus, that he has ridden the Katy and Mickelson trails in Missouri and South Dakota, respectively, participated in many marathons and races, and that he is a two-time cancer survivor. Bob Trautwein is a retired librarian in Columbus; he and his wife Judith now spend their time traveling the world. Carine Stava and her husband, Larry, run an equestrian center, The Farm at Butterflat Creek in Bennington, where she teaches hunter jumper and foxhunting. Verna Simons is an avid cyclist; she rides with a group in Pierce every week and was preparing for the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN) right after her ride with us. Jamie and I could not help but admire our older companions, and hoped that we would possess half the heart and drive when we "grow up." Later in the day, I rode into town to get some ingredients at the Stuart Locker on Main Street. Jamie roasted the asparagus we found near O'Neill in the house. Larry gave me some butter and whiskey for my sautéed morel mushrooms. We served them as appetizers before dinner, and they were a big hit. At the Cast Iron Bar and Grill that evening, we ran into Dave Harlan, who manages parks in the area from the Game and Parks Commission's Bassett office. Dave said he and staff dragged his section of the trail before we arrived, and we thanked him for it. Stuart was one of our most memorable nights on the Cowboy Trail. Tuesday, May 20: Stuart to Long Pine (32 miles) After a good night's sleep in an actual bed, Jamie made us breakfast before we left. She had to go back to Norfolk to attend her son's play that evening, but would meet us in Long Pine the next morning. So it was just Carine, Bob, Jim, Verna and me now. I felt a little nervous without my trail buddy, so I picked up the pace that day to ride with Jim. (Actually, it was more like Jim riding ahead and waiting for me catch up.) The wind was favorable. We rode past Newport, which did have a few amenities including Grandma's Park, Myrna's Market, H&H Lounge and Sunny's Café and Truck Stop. We all met in Bassett at the Range Café for some lunch. The café was part of the Bassett Lodge, and it served up great burgers, sandwiches, salads and root beer floats. Of all the restaurants on our journey, the Range Café was my favorite. The employees were used to seeing cyclists, and were more than happy to refill our water bottles. When Jamie and I planned the trip, we decided that we would have a rest day at Long Pine State Recreation Bob Trautwein and Bachmann ride on the trail west of Neligh on the second day of the trip.