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/654753
Two Rivers State Recreation Area Cabooses All aboard! These 10 donated Union Pacific cabooses have found new life as lodging quarters at Two Rivers State Recreation Area. It's a great option for families with kids who are looking for a memorable vacation experience. Up to six people can stay in a caboose, with two bunk beds in the rear of the caboose and two mattresses in the cupola. The kitchenette contains a stove, refrigerator, sink and cabinet space. The cabooses are air-conditioned and have a modern bathroom and shower. You can enjoy your meals outside on the deck, which is outfitted with a picnic table and grill. The cabooses are available from April 15 through the end of September. Platte River State Park Platte te te Riv Tipis Forget tents! My six-year-old self would have jumped at the chance to sleep in an Indian tipi, pretending I was Pocahontas. Platte River State Park has four canvas tipis for guests to stay in, each with enough space for six to eight people. A genuine tipi rested on the ground, these are situated on steady, even wooden platforms with a fire ring, grill and pit toilet nearby. Ponca State Park Ponca State Pa Pa Park The "Hay Bale" Cabins Yes, you read that right – cabins made (partially) from straw. Densely-packed hay bales form the insulation for the two cabins' outer walls. Primitive though it might seem, this style of insulation is actually quite efficient. It's part of an overall effort to make these cabins as "green" as possible. Other green elements in these cabins include geothermal heating and cooling, recycled building materials and eco- friendly lighting and wastewater treatment. The cabins have two bedrooms with queen-sized beds, a modern kitchen and bathroom, a dining area, a big-screen TV, cable, wireless Internet, a gas grill and an outdoor deck. Bedding, towels, cooking utensils, dishes and tableware are provided. The two cabins are open year-round. APRIL 2016 • NEBRASKAland 53 PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS