Verdigre to O'Niell via Ashfall ( Orchard and Royal )

So leaving Verdigre was not as planned. I actually took the bike to the junction of US 20 so as to not be splattered by the cattle trucks on the shoulderless Hwy 14 and 59. Maybe next time, but anyhow. I took off from around Plainview on the bike and the first civilization you come to is Royal about 5 ish miles from the junction of Hwy 20 and 14.



As you can see Royal isnt so large but Thirstys Saloon and eatery is there which Im sure would be a super place to get a burger if so inclined. I saw a bunch of bikers there and they seemed to be enjoying themselves.








From here the ride was very nice save the brutal South wind that was making me fight to keep the darn bike straight. There were lots of prairie chickens and turkeys and stuff right off the right of way and the occasional herd of horses or a buffalo or 2. 







A little bit after Royal ( 2 miles maybe, you can see the water tower from the intersection so I suspect thats the most it could be ) there is the entrance to the Ashfall Fossil Beds. This is a pretty interesting formation that happened when there was a rather large volcanic eruption in Idaho some years ago.. 11 million if Im not mistaken. So as it happens we are directly downwind of the ash cone and at this time there were lots of critters at a water hole and they happened to breathe this ash, got sick and croaked. They all were buried and fossilized here and you can see them pretty well preserved today. Lots of hippos and rhinos and stuff. Camels and dog/bear things as well.














After taking a gander at this old dead stuff I went to Green Gables restarant in ( technically ) Royal. Although its a barn on the Ashfall access road off Hwy 20. It was a really hip newish restaurant from a converted barn with lots of stuff on the walls and interesting things for sale. They also sell food.
They have these things there called "Onion Chips" and they are without hyperbole, the best food item, from any country, in any time anywhere.
And they also have Pb&j so in my book that says alot. Total late lunch $7.50. Pb&J, fries, onion chips and a coke.



Orchard was the next stop about 10 miles outside of Royal. Nice sized town with a super park. Free camping and electric hookups. Nice place to fill up water bottles too. They have a tap with a spigot which fits right into a bottle.
Stayed a few min and looked at the sky. Sat on the grass for a while and waved at the cars.






Inman, strategically placed on the convergance of the N-275 and US 20 ( they actually combine for a while ) and along the Cowboy Trail. The Cowboy trail is a "Rails to Trails" project which is an old Black Hills rail line that crosses Northern Nebraska and is pretty much all graveled over now. Its a nice way to see the north of the state but if speed is what you want then crushed limestone aint what youre looking for.
Not much in Imnan, bar, post office, hay station etc.




Finally in O'Neill, county seat of Holt County. 4k someodd people with all the trappings of a city. A Pamida, an  Alco, a few hotels and a neat ( and free ) museum. They even have a CHINESE restaurant ( which is super yummy I may add ).








O'Neill like many Nebraska cities has several nice parks, a super library and the excellent aforementioned historical society.








Total trip 53ish miles. One way.

Nice ride, nice people, yummy food. highly reccomended.