11-Nov-2019 -- This was my third of five confluences in 24 hours in Western Nebraska. Traveling north on N-97 I turned east onto Heritage Rd. (2302) a few miles south of the town of Mullen. After driving another two miles and passing a long row of windbreak trees on the south side of the road I pulled into a driveway that led to an area that looks like it is used for seasonal ranching. There was a single set of fresh tire tracks in the snow and a newer tractor near where I parked. Most of the outbuildings pictured on the current Google Earth satellite view are no longer there. Walking along the unmarked barbed wire fence south-southeastward I reached the confluence easily, took the necessary pictures, and returned to my rental car with completely numb hands.

Hooker County is the one of the easternmost counties in Mountain Time, and so by 3:15pm the sun was already setting as I pulled into Mullen (pop. 459) to spend the night. I was planning on camping, but due to the sub-zero forecasted low I opted to get a room at the Sandhills Motel. I spoke with Gerri Peterson at the Hooker County Tribune who tried to help me find who owns the land. Dinner was an amazing reuben and fries from Devan at the Chuckwagon. Mullen is a cozy, friendly little town among the stunningly beautiful Nebraska Sandhills - stop and spend some time!

Parked: 2:38pm

Temp: 14°F

Back in car: 2:54pm

Next confluence: 42°N,102°W

Previous confluence: 41°N,101°W