I made a short road trip with the new wheels. I drove up to the Pawnee National Grasslands, about 280 miles round trip. So I tested it with some highway miles and rugged dirt roads. Gas miles was good: 28 miles per gallon. It handles well both on the highway and the dirt roads.

It has been several years since I visited the Grasslands. I hope to make a few more trips up there. It is one area where we have not taken a plow to the native grasses. The grassland is large with just over 193,000 acres. I notice a large quantity of wind turbines and oil wells I don’t remember. A little research uncovered they are allowing a limited amount of developed facilities. The area is also know for its birding with several species, especially during migration. Forest service roads allow for easy access to most areas of the grasslands and lead to many hiking trails. These trails will lead you to the Pawnee Buttes. I’m gonna have to make more trips up there.

While developed facilities are limited on the grassland, recreation opportunities are not. The Pawnee is an internationally known birding area.