September 2007 - State # 27 - Nebraska
Once again, we flew Delta into Omaha...after 4 gate changes at the ATL airport. Don't you just love flying on a small regional jet and walking out on the tarmac to board the plane? Although we arrived an hour late for our dinner reservations at Vivace, an Italian restaurant in Omaha's Old Market District, we had a lovely meal. Our server, Brad, was delightful and convinced us to visit Omaha's "world-class" zoo.
After dinner we drove to our hotel, The Cornerstone Mansion, a focal point of Omaha's historic Gold Coast District, popular with the wealthy at the turn of the last century.
You may remember I mentioned that B&B's located in old homes are not as comfortable as new hotels. Case in point - The Cornerstone Mansion. Our room was spacious as a whole; but the added "private bath" was hilarious...we still laugh about it.
In order to hide the necessary plumbing, a corner of the room had been raised 2 feet! You literally had to climb up into the bathroom and hop down to exit.
To this day we "jump the threshold" of every hotel bathroom at check-in!
On a positive note, Guy reminds me that the "Castleview Room" had the most comfortable bed...since California - State # 5, in our travels.
Even with the comfortable bed, we are NOT recommending this B&B. If you are visiting State # 27, we suggest you stay in a proven branch of any reputable hotel chain.
The next morning, we took our rental car and headed for the Henry Doorly Zoo. At the time, we didn't know the zoo shared the parking lot with Rosenblatt Stadium, the former home of the College World Series and Minor League Omaha Royals, now the Storm Chasers.
This year the CWS will be played in its new home, TD Ameritrade Park, near downtown Omaha.
June 18 - 29, 2011
The zoo has acquired the old stadium and will be tearing it down to expand the zoo's exhibit space which is already huge.
We were totally surprised by the Omaha Zoo!
You begin your wild adventure at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo in Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Pavilion. The Exploration Station includes hands-on activities along with previews of the other major attractions, such as the Scott Aquarium, Lied Jungle and Desert Dome.
We spent the entire day at the zoo. And it was "world class!"
The Scott Aquarium housed a fabulous penguin habitat and we witnessed a penguin slap fight!
I wish you could hear the penguins screaming.
The world's largest indoor desert, the Desert Dome, located under the world's largest glazed geodesic dome, has become a landmark for the city of Omaha. And it is an amazing exhibit from top to bottom!
The Desert Dome features plant and animal life from three deserts around the world: the Namib Desert of southern Africa, the Red Center of Australia and the Sonoran Desert of the southwest United States. Located beneath the Desert Dome is the Kingdoms of the Night, the world's largest nocturnal exhibit.
Seriously, you will unearth the mysteries and animals of the darkness in Kingdoms of the Night. The day-night cycles are reversed, allowing you to experience creatures in their natural nocturnal activity patterns. In this exhibit, you will pass through a canyon, wind through a wet cave, explore a dry bat cave and journey through the world’s largest indoor swamp.
My dream come true...right back in Louisiana, in the swamp and at night!
(Actually this was my first time in a swamp at night.)
Guy discovered that nutria rats have orange teeth and he also got a "snakebite" from his wife!
Note: You should NOT brush your fingers on my neck, like a small creature, while in a dark space.
I will not react well.
Especially if there are bats included in the exhibit, long story from a childhood visit to the Houston Zoo.
These photos are from their rainforest exhibit which is truly remarkable! You will explore the natural rainforest environment as you walk through America’s largest indoor rainforest, the Lied Jungle.
Inside this exhibit you will hear waterfalls crashing, see gibbons swinging and feel the tropical environment surround you.
Monkeys, tapirs, macaws and pygmy hippos are just a few of the animals you will see in the Lied Jungle.
This is a must see when visiting State # 27!
We also visited the beautiful art deco Union Station of Omaha. This railroad station played a huge role in the Second World War as tens of thousands of young men traveled through this city, literally in the middle of our country, on their way to Europe or Asia.
Inside you will find the Durham Western Heritage Museum.
Currently running is an exhibit entitled "School House to the White House," all about our presidents' school days.
That evening dinner was in a steakhouse; it was NEBRASKA after all.
I am remaining positive...Sullivan's Steakhouse was adequate.
Now I must confess, we did not visit Nebraska in correct alphabetical order. You may have noticed we were there in 2007.
We had visited Missouri - State # 25, while training to own a Hallmark store. Nebraska and Missouri are very close (183 miles - 3 hours). We also knew that State # 26 - Montana would be an expensive trip. So, purely for economical reasons, we broke protocol and visited States # 25 and # 27 at the same time.
Inside this exhibit you will hear waterfalls crashing, see gibbons swinging and feel the tropical environment surround you.
Monkeys, tapirs, macaws and pygmy hippos are just a few of the animals you will see in the Lied Jungle.
This is a must see when visiting State # 27!
We also visited the beautiful art deco Union Station of Omaha. This railroad station played a huge role in the Second World War as tens of thousands of young men traveled through this city, literally in the middle of our country, on their way to Europe or Asia.
Inside you will find the Durham Western Heritage Museum.
Currently running is an exhibit entitled "School House to the White House," all about our presidents' school days.
That evening dinner was in a steakhouse; it was NEBRASKA after all.
I am remaining positive...Sullivan's Steakhouse was adequate.
Now I must confess, we did not visit Nebraska in correct alphabetical order. You may have noticed we were there in 2007.
We had visited Missouri - State # 25, while training to own a Hallmark store. Nebraska and Missouri are very close (183 miles - 3 hours). We also knew that State # 26 - Montana would be an expensive trip. So, purely for economical reasons, we broke protocol and visited States # 25 and # 27 at the same time.
And that is all I have to say about...
Nebraska
As you know by now, we are grateful to our neighbors for their
"Homeland Security."
By the way, these photos were taken in our pre-digital camera days.
Before I end this post, I would like to share some encouraging news to all of my winter weary friends...
Spring is coming...
As you can see from these photos taken in our garden!
And on that note, I will end my latest post to...
civi LIZ ation
Next time -
Crown of the Continent
No comments:
Post a Comment