Days 1 and 2 of 85!

We traveled over 1400 miles to get to Valentine, Nebraska yesterday. After that long trip- our only task was to eat dinner and sleep. On Day 2 we had a lovely final planning meeting with Superintendent Susan Cook and Rangers Bobbie Roshone and Solveig Perrett from the Niobrara National Scenic River. Everything is ready to begin tomorrow at 3 pm. We had a lovely lunch at the Old Mill Deli in Valentine and met up with a few new friends that we will introduce everyone to on Tuesday. I like to call them John, Teddy, Muir, Old Man, and Hank!

A few fun facts about bison: (Click on the links for more)
1.  Bison are the largest mammal in North America. Male bison (called bulls) weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand 6 feet tall, while females (called cows) weigh up to 1,000 pounds and reach a height of 4-5 feet. Bison calves weigh 30-70 pounds at birth.
2. A baby bison is called a red dog. Bison calves tend to be born from late March through May and are orange-red in color, earning them the nickname “red dogs.” After a few months, their hair starts to change to dark brown and their characteristic shoulder hump and horns begin to grow.
3. Bison may be big, but they’re also fast. They can run up to 35 miles per hour. Plus, they’re extremely agile. Bison can spin around quickly, jump high fences and are strong swimmers. (That's why we stayed in the car).

Campers arrive tomorrow!