On the Road to Lincoln, Nebraska Along the Pony Express Route

Cruising the highways along the old Pony Express route into Nebraska was a treat in a brand new Toyota 4Runner.

The Pony Express was the most prominent source for delivering news and mail between the east and west until the implementation of the transcontinental telegraph in October of 1861. The approximately 1,900-mile delivery route from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California could be completed in 10-days. It coursed through some of the most desolate land in America. Much of which remains so today.

I’m often asked how I come up with something to write about for this column each week. My answer always includes the explanation of the real challenge, which is only writing about one topic. When you consider the grand realm of outdoor sports, and the conservation of fish and wildlife species and their habitats, the options are endless. Each year, I attend numerous outdoor media conferences. These events include presentations about outdoor issues and meet-and-greets with representatives of product manufacturers and tourism destinations.

Back in June, I attended the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) conference in Lincoln, Nebraska. One nice perk of this outdoor writing gig is the occasional opportunity to test out new products. Usually these are fishing lures, tents, shotguns and other items of similar scope. I was presented a special opportunity for this trip when Curt McAllister of Toyota Motor Sales asked if I’d be interested in test driving a 2018 Toyota 4Runner Limited.

Now, I’ve never been a car guy. Never really cared about turning heads with a vehicle. My goals are pretty simple. I want it to start when I turn the key and get me where I need to go, which is often way off road. I also require cold air conditioning and a working radio. Anything above and beyond those simply necessities is just a luxurious perk. But now having driven the 4Runner for a few days, I’m conflicted. It’s sort of like flying first class. Yeah, it’s not necessary, but once you do it, you sure appreciate how incredible it is. If I were in the market for a new vehicle, I would have to seriously consider the Toyota 4Runner, and I’d spring for the Limited edition. The moonroof and onboard navigation system were awesome.

When I put Lincoln Nebraska into my GPS, it routed me along the same interstate I have driven too many times to count. So, I hit delete and pulled out my antique map to plan my own way through the middle of nowhere, which is where I always feel most at home. I quickly realized I could make part of the trip coincide with the Pony Express route, so I headed to St. Joseph and picked up the trail.

I crossed the Missouri River and entered Kansas headed towards Marysville. As I skirted along the north end of the famed Flint Hills, I couldn’t help but harbor jealousy for the freedom experienced by the riders of the Pony Express as they made their way through this empty, yet astonishingly beautiful landscape. The irony is many of them would likely trade for the comfort I was traveling in, sitting on leather seats with cold air blowing on my face and Waylon Jennings keeping me company.

I crossed into Nebraska and headed towards Lincoln. I didn’t know much about my destination outside of the fact it’s the state capitol and home to the University of Nebraska. What I found was a bustling cultural hub with a vibrant downtown that has experienced a profound revitalization. This old cow town is now alive with shops, dining and nightlife. For me, it is the perfect sized city to visit for a few days. Lincoln is big enough to offer plenty of options, but easy enough to navigate that you can walk about anywhere. I love the old brick façade of the Haymarket District, which is the city’s old Market Square area now featured as the center of the city’s energy.

The POMA conference was held at The Graduate Hotel. This is a great property. The Graduate chain exists in many of the coolest college towns across America. I hope to explore more of their destinations. The prime rib I enjoyed at Misty’s Steakhouse was everything you’d expect from cattle country. I’ll have it again. And I found one of my new favorite bars. The Other Room is a speakeasy in an alley featuring craft cocktails mixed by a professional bartender. It only seats 25 or so patrons, is quite and eclectic and was nominated for a James Beard Foundation Outstanding Bar Award. The address is a secret, so good finding this can’t miss watering hole.

Lincoln instantly became a city I need to spend more time in. I am looking forward to going back and discovering more about the surrounding area’s opportunities for hunting and fishing, only this time I’ll likely have to roll north in my old pickup truck.

See you down the trail…
Brandon Butler