After our time in the drought ridden areas of Texas, Harlon County Lake was refreshing. We had a lakeside campsite and the water was calming to our wandering souls. Methodist
Cove Campground at Harlon County Lake was just a way stop for us. We were going from North Platte, NE to Junction City, KS. After seeing how beautiful the lake and campground were we decided on a three night stay.
Morning dawn with blue skies, cool temperatures, and refreshed bodies. We decided to bike the Pheasant Ridge Trail, a three mile trail from Methodist Cove Campground west to Alma, NE. We had done our research and knew Alma had a coffee shop. That was interesting to us since Alma has a population of about 3,500. Next to Farmers Markets, coffee shops are important to us. Not only do we enjoy a good cup of coffee; coffee shops offer local atmosphere and a feel for the area.
Off we go to Joe’s Camera and Coffee Shop on Main Street in Alma, NE. Main Street was interesting of itself; besides Joe’s there was a grocery, five & dime, hardware store along with various offices. Arriving at Joe’s, we were greeted with a sidewalk table – good sign. Joe’s was interesting with shelves of vintage cameras and jars of coffee beans. Taking our coffee to the sidewalk table we enjoyed the goings on in Alma, NE. The coffee was great and the local atmosphere was even better. For a better feel of the goings on in Alma, check out A New Nebraskan Blog.
After coffee we walked Main Street shopping Hannah Variety Store and Trustworthy Hardware Store, and then headed back to Methodist Cove via Pheasant Ridge Trail for more lakeside R&R.
Joe’s sold postcards and we noticed quite a few with white pelicans. Being from south Louisiana, we were interested. Alma and Harlon County Lake are a way stop for White Pelicans migrating from the Gulf Coast to points north. In March 2011, Alma held the first White Pelican Homecoming Celebration honoring the migrating birds. The residents say when the Pelicans arrive Spring is fast approaching. The Pelicans also
use Harlon Lake in the winter when migrating to the Gulf Coast. One morning while having our coffee lakeside we saw one lone White Pelican on the lake. The morning we left, as we crossed the dam, there was a flock of White Pelicans on the lake. We were just a little early for the migration of these magnificent birds.
Sometimes, in spite of your intentions, discovery takes over and pleasant surprises present themselves. Such was the case with Medothist Cove and Alma, NE.
