Fort Robinson State Park – Crawford (NEGPP#2)

After departing Scotts Bluff, we headed for the next stop on our vacation.

After departing Scotts Bluff, we headed for the next stop on our vacation, Fort Robinson State Park. We arrived in Crawford, NE at about 4:30 PM. We decided that since we needed to find the church there, we would drive around the town. After driving through the town a couple of times, we finally stopped and got directions to the parish. We had planned on attending the 10 AM Mass Sunday morning, but posted on the sign was the following Mass schedule:

• Saturday - 6 PM
• 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday - 8 AM
• 2nd and 4th Sunday - 10 AM

We double checked the calendar and realized that it was a 5^th Sunday. After a little discussion, we decided stinky and dirty as we were, that the safest option was the Saturday evening Mass. We drove out to Fort Robinson (about two miles away) and checked in to the camp site we had reserved and, after a time looking around, found it. We still had a bit of time before Mass, yet not enough for showers or a tour of the fort, so we decided to try to locate our GPP post.

It didn't take the girls long to find the marker.

Mama and the girls pose beside the GPP post at Fort Robinson.

It didn’t take long to find following the clues, so we got our rubbing, a couple of pictures, and then headed back in for Mass. After an adventurous Mass (the girls weren’t necessarily on their best behaviors) we spoke with the priest who mentioned that he’d heard there was good fishing at Carter P. Johnson Lake. We decided to add that to our agenda for the next morning and returned to our campsite.

Now before we continue, here is a little background on Fort Robinson:

Located 2 miles west of Crawford, NE this now state park was once a US Army fort. It was constructed in 1874 to help control hostile members of the Lakota tribe. Though it started as an encampment, it became a fort in 1878 and was named after Lt. Levi H. Robinson who had been killed by natives nearby. This area featured prominent battles in the late 1800s and was the location where Chief Crazy Horse surrendered in May 1877.

During World War I, Fort Robinson because the world’s largest quartermaster remount depot (meaning it provided horses and mules to soldiers during the war).  During World War II, the Fort also became a training center for War Dogs. Later in WWII, it was used a prisoner-of-war camp. In 1948, the army abandoned Fort Robinson. It served various purposes until becoming a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Fort Robinson’s 22,000 acres make it Nebraska’s largest state park. The site also offers fun for families including camping, fishing, historical museums, trail rides, plays, chuck-wagon suppers, and much more.

When we arrived at our campsite, Papa set up the tent while Mama got supper ready. Bernadette and Clare gathered kindling for the fire, but Felicity and Gabriella had drifted off on the way back and so they continued their nap. Soon we had our camp site established, and just before dark, we started the fire and roasted some marshmallows for s’mores. After that, we retired to the tent where Papa read to us from the Magician’s Nephew. Soon everyone was asleep after the long day. While we slept fairly well that night, a cold front moved in and we all woke up very chilly. As soon as it was light we all got up and moved around to get warm. We breakfasted and then headed for the lake for a little fishing.

When we arrived, we were amazed at how clear the water was. The water at the edge of the fishing dock was about 10 feet deep and you could see all the way to the bottom. In this clear water you could see many blue gill and sunfish, even the occasional bass. 

We quickly rigged up the poles, added our secret weapon (a night crawler) and cast them out. Before the second pole was in the water, the first bobber was dancing and soon a fish was landed, then another, then another. We had quite a bit of luck and in less than an hour (potty breaks included) we were out of worms. We had a great time fishing, catching at least a dozen fish, but after running out of bait, we returned to the van and headed back to camp.

Bernadette fishing

And she got one.

Though Clare usually enjoy

Clare caught a big blue gill

Here Clare holds up her bass that she caught. This photo however requires an
explanation: Bernadette had overheard us talking about one of the pictures we
had taken where someone had accidentally "photo-bombed" us. Photo-bombing
is when a person (usually intentionally) places themselves in a picture being
taken of someone else. Usually the pose is goofy and the people taking the picture
don't know about it until later. After we had explained this to her, she thought it
would be fun, and thus this photo was born - Clare with her fish, Bernadette photo-bombing.

Felicity was surprisingly patient as she was the last to make a catch.

But eventually she did.

The fishing dock at Carter P. Johnson Lake

Once back at camp, Mama and the girls went to shower while Papa broke camp (he had showered early that morning). By the time they were back, he had the tent down, air mattress packed, sleeping bags put away, and the food all packed. We folded up the tent, threw in the last few things and bid Fort Robinson adieu on the way to our next stop.