Location:  This 'hidden gem' is located at the north end of highway 15 in Nebraska, about 5 miles south of Vermillion, South Dakota, and at Missouri River mile marker 776 (see Clue Me! Map).  And of course, it's the Missouri River that squeezes between these states, and gives both of them direct water access to the Caribbean, and thereby all the world's oceans. (Triple land-locked my @$$!)

This particular gem is an excellent vantage point to get a better view of the Missouri River. This overlook provides enough elevation to add about two miles to the distance you can see as compared with the view from the bridge that is out of view below. Not to mention a few quiet minutes to enjoy the view before continuing your journey.

As an aside, this stretch of river has some interesting 'issues' when it comes to border quality control. Normally, wherever the Missouri River is a state boundary, the boundary is placed pretty much in the middle of the main channel. That would mean the land to the south (left) is Nebraska and land to the north (right) is South Dakota. However, beginning at that point of land to the left, and continuing for about 20 miles downstream, the border periodically slides out of the river and onto the land. Not sand bars mind you, but it carves chunks of Nebraska farmer's fields and puts them in South Dakota, and vice versa. There is nothing special about these places, just erratic borders. It's one of those things that makes me wonder 'Why?' 

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Here's the hidden gem entry from our Clue Me! map.

Clue

The flatter the ground, the farther you can see

Description

A nicely positioned overlook

Why It's Interesting

This spot at the overlook provides just about the best view of the Missouri River and the surrounding area. It's interesting to consider Lewis and Clark on their way from Missouri to Oregon, and back, passing through the scene below.

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