(Babe the) Blue Ox

To some of you, Babe the Blue Ox may bring back memories of the large statue of Folk Hero Paul Bunyan and his companion, Babe.  If you haven’t been there, you can see the statues in Bernidji, Minnesota.  (Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988, the statues are said to be the “second most photographed statues in the United States,” behind only Mount Rushmore.)

But to many RVers, there is another Blue Ox, and that is the one we have come to visit.  Blue Ox, located in tiny Pender, Nebraska, makes “recreational towing equipment,” braking systems and related items, in addition to some agricultural equipment.  If you have ever seen an RV or motor home towing a car, it’s likely they were using a Blue Ox tow bar to do so.  You will likely recognize their logo.  We are here to have our tow bar checked out and hopefully serviced, and Blue Ox makes it very easy.

This lovely RV park is reasonable for travelers, or free if you are having work or maintenance done on your Blue Ox equipment.  We spent two nights here, and came away with a new tow bar to replace the one we damaged early in our trip while making a too-tight turn.  Saved about $60 in camping fees, but gave up the cost of a new tow bar.  Not a bad deal for Blue Ox, and an OK one for us with the trade-in of our old equipment.  

I wish we hadn’t been in a hurry to get to our next stop.  Tomorrow, Wednesday, 10/7, is the 90th anniversary of the founding of the company.  They are planning a big celebration, and we wish them well in their next 90 years.