August 15, 2023 - LEXINGTON, NEBRASKA TO WEST BRANCH, IOWA

Temperatures: Lexington, Nebraska 

Exterior: 49*

Interior: 59*

Windows open! 

Elevation: 2,420’

7:08 AM departure!! Cornhuskers! That’s what we saw all day. Fields and fields of corn. Then fields of soybeans. Then more corn fields. This was most of the way from Nebraska. Almost 10 million acres of corn in Nebraska alone. Soybeans cover almost 6 million acres. 

Harvest Host provided another fun stay for us this evening … with alpacas! We learned so much about the Frerichs Alpaca Farm. They are so cute and these were a bit cautious of us. 

Mixed with chickens, peacocks, rabbits, a donkey, a pig, a few cats, a horse and one boxer puppy this farm has a lot going on. We spent a good bit of time with the family as they told us how it became what it is today. Currently they have 39 alpacas! 

One of the most interesting facts is that an alpaca female can gestate for 345 days! And they don’t drop milk until after the baby is born and starts to nurse. The babies are then nursed for six months. 

Another interesting fact that we found out is that there are three species and fifteen different colors of peacocks that exist. They only have three of those colors. They really weren’t sure how many chickens they have. But they do get brown and white eggs. The hens with the white flaps by their ears lay the white eggs. 

At the end of the tour, just like any good ride at Universal Studios, we landed in the farm store. While shopping we had complimentary wine slushies! They were out of alpaca yarn but did have a nice variety of knitted hats, head bands, shawls and gloves among other items. I purchased a pair of fingerless gloves for THE BIG TRIP next year and we bought some fresh eggs. 

Jett got to take one last run in the field before we called it a night and we watched a pretty spectacular sun set. 

Bedtime temperatures:

Exterior: 64*

Interior: 72*

Elevation: 810’

August 14, 2023 - VAIL, COLORADO TO LEXINGTON, NEBRASKA

Temperatures: Vail, CO

Exterior: 40*

Interior: 49*

Elevation: 8,750’

Hot box prepped and coffee was in the truck before 8:30! Not sure I’ve talked about my electric lunch boxes. I have two! They can run either 12v or 110. Since we don’t have (or want) a microwave this is my go to when needed. I prepared breakfast sandwiches first thing this morning in the Airstream. Takes about an hour to heat them. They were about half done by our departure so I finished warming them on the road in the truck. These boxes are great to also warm any leftovers. 

Our drive today wasn’t too bad. A few tunnels, one long tunnel and 5 to 6% grades for over 12 miles down into Denver. We’ve made it to flat land in Lexington, Nebraska. Heading East now and putting miles behind us. 

Mac’s Winery and Brewery turned out to be the perfect place for the evening. Family owned and operated. It was about 80* when we got there. Elevation is 2,420’. What a change! We had beer, wine slushies and BBQ nachos! Beautiful location and a very unique winery. Giving guests the best experience during their stay! 

Mac’s is very pet friendly. We sat outside. Then we sat inside. Jett was so good! She got fed sausage by the employees. Not once but twice! We don’t give her people food but couldn’t say no … so we just turned our heads away. It was the best day ever for her. They loved her and wanted us to just let her loose inside. Hahaha … NOT! They would kick us off property if we did!! 

After they closed Tim and I took Jett out to the back of the property, past the vineyards, where they have twelve separate gas fire pits. This place gets packed by locals on the weekends. They gave us permission to hang out there tonight. One of the other three Harvest Host couples came and joined us for the evening. Perfect place to enjoy and end our day! 

Bedtime temperatures:

Exterior: 68*

Interior: 72*

Elevation: 2,420’