Nebraskaland

hen travelers on the two-lane blacktop of U.S. Highway 20 go as far northwest as they can get in Nebraska, they'll surely not miss a road sign that has triggered many laughs. "Harrison: Next Four Exits." The sign, made in green and designed to match the familiar markers along Interstate 80, has been a longstanding joke in the Sioux County seat, population 247. When one is traveling along the quiet highway, which is alternately known as the Bridges to Buttes Scenic Byway, though, it's no joke: People are wise to take one of the many "exits" that lead to the region's trove of scenic gems. Unique buttes and rock formations, Pine Ridge forest, badlands, grasslands and an abundance of wildlife await visitors who take the time to look. A good place to start is a drive on Pants Butte Road, known for its fantastic view from high above, and Sowbelly Canyon Road, which winds through a wooded area of steep country. Keep your eyes peeled as this area provides what may be Nebraska's best chance for observing bighorn sheep. Along the latter road sits the quaint Coffee Park where Sowbelly Creek and trout ramble over river rocks in the fashion of a mountain stream. Just north of Harrison is Monroe Canyon and the Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Management Area, a popular hunting destination where elk, wild turkey, mule deer and whitetails roam under a forest of towering ponderosa pine trees. Straight south from Harrison are rolling grasslands that lead to the slowly meandering Niobrara River, a hardly recognizable waterway to those who know it as the busy canoeing destination 180 miles east. Just off the highway in this valley is the impressive Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, which features the many Miocene Epoch mammal fossils that have been discovered at the site. Lodging and dining in Harrison includes the historical Harrison House Hotel on Main Street, a bed and breakfast originally established in 1886 by the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. For those wanting an experience away from "the big city," there's the High Plains Homestead and Drifter Cookshack situated in the wide open grasslands and badlands northeast of town. A stay at this site, known for its food and Old West atmosphere, will put the traveler near the Oglala National Grassland and the Hudson- Meng Bison Kill, another fossil site which features the excavation of an ancient breed of bison that were killed by the Alberta Culture as many as 11,200 years ago. Just up the road is the moon-like landscape of Toadstool Geologic Park, a must-see for anyone who thinks of Nebraska as just fields of corn, beans and wheat. The region also is a popular destination for those looking for gems in a literal sense, not just figuratively. Many come to Sioux County to hunt the state gemstone – blue chalcedony, more commonly known as blue agate. From magnificent elk herds to spectacular rocks, this area is sure to have what the traveler is hunting. And conveniently, it's always easy to get off at the right exit when you're in Sioux County. ■ By Justin Haag Harrison Gilbert-Baker WMA is abundant with wildlife. Toadstool Geologic Park is a favorite among visitors. Coffee Park is a must-see destination. Harrison PHOTOS BY JUSTIN HAAG h 2 th l

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