Nebraska Heartland - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 617

goodhealth, butthisoasiscertainly isrestful.Asatallstate-run parksinNebraska, permits
are required for entry.
The Nebraska sandhills roll into the horizon with a subtle beauty that's unique to the Western Hemisphere.
4. Sand Hills
Back on Rte. 2 outside of Anselmo, you'll soon enter the Sand Hills. The immense system
of dunes, sometimes compared to the Sahara, was created when the sands of an ancient sea
were carried here by the wind.
The hills can reach heights of more than 400 feet, but what most distinguishes this re-
gion from other sandy areas are the flourishing grasses, which include Indian, bluestem,
prairiesandreed,andsandlovegrasses.Theirpresenceisvital,fortheirrootsarethefabric
holding the dunes in place. Without the grasses, the sands would be swept away by the
wind.