Mexican Hat, Utah ~ October 2026

The drive from Kanab, Utah, to Mexican Hat was gorgeous.

Somewhere mid-point between the cities and outside of Monument Valley is Forrest Gump Point, the place where Forrest Gump famously stopped running.

It popped up on Google Maps but we couldn't have missed it as there were tourists pulled over on both sides of the highway waiting for their photo op. It was great fun 😊We did our group photo then and again the next day when we drove back to Monument Valley.

Our hotel in Mexican Hat gave us views of the mountains and the San Juan River, and the threat of falling rock.

And here is the reason this very small town got its name. Kudos to the climber 😊

 

Golden Spike Tower and Bailey Yard, 1249 N. Homestead Road, North Platte, Nebraska ~ September 2026

What a fascinating place to visit! This is the world's largest railroad classification rail yard. It has 315 miles of track, a total length of 8 miles, and covers 2850 acres. Over 10,000 rail cars are sorted and sent on to their next destination every 24 hours. 

The town was platted as a railroad town during the construction of the transcontinental railroad and in 1866, the first train rolled through (East met West in 1869).

There is an outdoor observation deck and many indoor displays. You've never seen this many trains in one place 😊

Short Video

The bathroom air freshener 😊

This is one of two gravity-powered "hump" yards.

It was a great stop for us on our travels out west.