Not in the Nebraska of my childhood memories.  But they are all here, we have seen them.  Forces of wind and water have worn away some 500 feet of ancient high plains leaving only these isolated spires and towers.  Chimney rock, courthouse rock, jail rock and the granddaddy of them all Scotts Bluff.  This south west corner of Nebraska is dotted with famous formations along the Oregon Trail that have marked the way for First Nations peoples, trappers, explorers and settlers moving west.  Pretty impressive way-finding skills.  We can manage to get turned around even with a garmin!      

As for the auto tunnels, the drive to the summit in Scottsbluff National Monument passes through three of them, the only three in Nebraska.  Cool.  Even on a hazy day the view from the summit is amazing.  We make our way back down via Saddle rock trail with switchbacks across the shear faces and even a hand carved tunnel through one section.  We get a close up look at the 10 million-year timeline captured in the layers of rock exposed along the cliffs.  Wildflowers are pretty impressive too.

The Plains light house, it is 55 feet tall and made of native stone built by the Veterans Conservation Corp in the late 30s.  It never housed a light but does offer a great view of Lake Minatare. I would not have expected to find it but it looks good here.