Touring Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

Our road trip out west was so much fun! If you missed parts one, two, and three of our trip, you can catch up here.

Agate Fossil Beds

A nice couple that we met at Devils Tower told us about the Agate Fossil Beds and I am so glad that they did.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

I have been fascinated with fossils since I was a little girl. My grandparents lived in SW Virginia and I loved picking up rocks in their garden and examining them to find a cast or mold of a shell.

The views here were incredible.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

Not every national park is dog-friendly, but this one is.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

A bridge over a swampy area leads to the fossil beds.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

Sherman really enjoyed this walk.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

The fossils found are in an ancient watering hole.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

Captain James H. Cook was the first white man to discover fossilized bones here in 1878.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

During dry periods animals were forced to walk long distances to get food.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

When they returned to the watering hole, they were exhausted and many died of malnutrition.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

I found it very difficult to see the fossils in the rock.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

Inside the Visitor’s Center

A Beardog stands in front of an Entelodont.

Rhinoceros and Beardog at Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

Beardogs definitely resemble our modern-day dogs.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

This is an Entelodont.

Entelodont at Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

Entolodanats were scavengers whose diet consisted of plants and carrion.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

These are Chalicotheres.

Entelodonts at Agate Fossil Beds

A relative of the horse and rhinoceros, this animal had three toes and claw-like hooves.

Agate Fossil Beds in Harrison, Nebraska

Seen While Driving Through Nebraska

We loved seeing old windmills on our drive through Nebraska.

Windmill in Nebraska

We also enjoyed seeing old water towers.

Old Water Tower in Nebraska

Lewis and Clark Expedition

While driving through Nebraska, we stopped at the Lewis and Clark Visitor’s Center.

On May 14, 1884, Lewis and Clark left St. Louis and traveled to the Pacific Ocean and back.

They traveled on the Great Platte River Road and returned on September 23, 1806.

Lewis and Clark Expedition - Remnants of the wagon trail.

I had no idea that Meriwether Lewis brought his dog, Seaman, on the trip.

Seaman, dog of Captain Meriwether Lewis

The park ranger recommended a book about Seaman, The Captain’s Dog, by Roland Smith. We both are looking forward to reading this.

Devils Tower

Somehow I forgot to include Devils Tower when I shared our tour and Cody and more.

Devils Tower in the Black Hills of Wyoming

Devils Tower National Monument boasts one of Earth’s most impressive geological features.

Devils Tower in the Black Hills of Wyoming

Devils Tower was the first national monument in America, established on September 24, 1906, by Theodore Roosevelt.

Devils Tower in the Black Hills of Wyoming

Devils Tower has long been sacred to Native Americans and was featured in the 1977 movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which turns the tower into an alien landing site.

Devils Tower in the Black Hills of Wyoming

We so much enjoyed this trip and can’t wait to go out west again.

10 Comments

  1. WOW…Your trip looked amazing..So glad that you. hubby and Sherman enjoyed the trip..Thanks for the pics.

  2. I really enjoyed your pictures of your western trip. My husband and I want to do an East to West and back trip by vehicle. I look forward to scenery unlike our eastern coast. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful experience.

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