March 14-16/ Geodetic Center/Sandhill Cr ane TRIP

“I just noticed last night that a geocaching expedition I'd be interested in also coincides with the sandhill crane migration - and the cranes on the Platte River would be enroute. So I formulated a rough trip plan for these two events, plus a stop at the Homestead National Monument near Beatrice, Nebraska, which I've been wanting to see.

You show me something that's remote and rarely accessible - and you know I want to go there - be it way remote wilderness - OR a seemingly obscure benchmark in the middle of a large private ranch (the Meades Ranch) that's only made open to the public once or twice a year! LOL! Such is the case with the benchmark from which all surveying in North America occurs, which is in north central Kansas.

Kansas surveyors/geocachers have a trip set up to go to this benchmark on Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. The ranch is asking $20 per person. Now, I don't want to argue the fee. It's on their ranch; they have that right. Sounds like you need 4WD to get there, so it's apparently rugged, rolling plains (which I like!!)

The Geodetic Center trip:
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cef939fc-701a-4388-b50d-e067dfc18f39

Here are two other things that make this trip attractive, at least to me:

1. I like going to National parks and monuments. I've been wanting to visit Homestead National Monument near Beatrice, Nebraska - which is a National Park Service monument to the land rush of the 1850s.

2. This date is smack dab in the middle of the huge sandhill crane migration on the Platte River in Nebraska. And the Grand Island to Kearney area along I-80 and the river is basically right on the way to head to that site in Kansas! How timely! People say it's amazing watching thousands of the cranes take off. And of course photographing them.

3. We might hit a few geocaches enroute. But I don't want it to be a huge geocaching trip where you're stopping all the time, which would drive me nuts and get old. (See, I'm NOT addicted to geocaching... course you are right; this trip is to something of a geocaching monument - but I don't think it's even logged as a cache, but as a benchmark.)

OK.... that's my idea. It would surely help to have another person or two go along to share costs and/or drive. There's a slim chance I'd do it otherwise (although it sure is fun to plan and think about it! hehehee). I mapquested that tour, which is something like 9+ hours and 600+ miles one way from where I live.

I'd figure on driving down on Friday. I'd like to hit that national monument on the way down, although it could work on the way back, too. Maybe go through Grand Island on the way and/or be there for the morning crane flight Saturday. Then get to the Geodetic tour at 10 a.m., which would be fun, I think. I mean, throw something out there that not many people get to or can do -- and I'm there! lol

Then back to Grand Island area for the cranes. I don't know if you've seen a sandhill crane, but they almost look prehistoric. They have this weird sound they make.

Any takers? You'd need Friday off from work.”

“Meades Ranch? That's like a friggin' shrine for dorks like me! Coolio!”

“Coolio great! LOL, on that website they called it a "Mecca" for surveyors (you must be a surveyor, Kleety??)

You should try to get to it some day. Sounds like they've been doing this "geocaching" trip for a few years. And the landowners also might open it up in October. Look over all the links on that geocaching page. :-)”

“Dang Lizs, wished I lived out your way (hey, my family has a prarie in Iowa!). Anyway, just down the road is the largest sandhill crane migrating population in the U.S. --10,000 birds. They are magnificent and blot out the sun when they fly.”

“Rosey, c'mon out!

Yeah, looking forward to seeing the sandhill cranes **IF** this pans out.”

“Funny you should mention cranes...
They have been flying over for a couple weeks now - from their Florida winter grounds, I reckon. I often stop what I'm doing to watch and listen. Their formation will sometimes break up, then they'll fly round and round, like a whirlpool, squawking and arguing over who's gonna take the lead. Then finally they'll form back into a crooked vee and fly away northward.

They're funny... and loud.

Good luck Liz. I wish I could join you.”