Carhenge

Perhaps the strangest attraction in Nebraska is the full-scale replica of England's famous Stonehenge built entirely from old cars. 

Arranged in the exact size, shape, and conformation of Stonehenge, it allegedly "works", meaning it marks the solstices and equinoxes. Local resident Jim Reinders got the idea in 1982 when his family gathered at the family farm after his father died. They decided to build a tribute to his father and gathered five years later to begin. 

Carhenge is built from 38 cars, painted gray. Some are half-buried, others are welded together, and some jut from the ground at odd angles, mimicking the present semi-ruined configuration of Stonehenge.

Other artists have contributed sculptures to the area as well. Two of the most notable are a colorful spawning salmon...

and a dinosaur.

In recent years, more automobile sculptures have been added.

Carhenge is in Alliance, about half way between Lake Minatare and Chadron State Park where we will be for the next few days.  It is actually very close to the South Dakota border and the Black Hill can be glimpsed from some of the higher elevation viewpoints.

But first we had to travel through some picturesque rolling hills heading north.

There are 70 RV sites in Chadron State Park. There is one other RV here so we have the park campground pretty much to ourselves. We think the large rock in the background is Steamboat Butte.

There is a stable and horseback rides offered in the park. These horses are at the top of the hill right behind our bedroom window.

After getting settled we walked the park's scenic road. There is some pretty dramatic scenery here.

There was quite an extensive forest fire in the park in 2012 and the work to clear the charred trees continues. We passes this marker - a heart-shaped slice of tree with a cross carved out of the center.