Omaha Archives - Travels With Martin

Living Elsewhere – My AirBnB Homes

Dec 6, 2022 Martin 0 Comment

One of the things I love about my travels is that I get to experience living elsewhere. Staying at an AirBnB or with friends gives me the ability to experience life as if I were living in places other than Boston. I get to shop at the local grocery stores, experience the coffee shop around the corner, see what night life is like and work remotely in different environments. It’s like I’m living somewhere else for a small amount of time. These are my ‘other homes’ from my Missoula and back trip.

Des Moines, IA

My Des Moines AirBnB home was in a great location, in a beautiful neighborhood and had some old charm. The coffee shop was just a few blocks away and downtown was a short drive. I was able to take a short Uber to the Iowa State Fair and most activities and restaurants were a quick drive. Raven, the cat, loved sitting on my lap and visiting me in my room which was very sweet. The front porch was quaint and a great place to relax or get some work done.

Omaha, NE

My Omaha AirBnB was a comfortable little place in a very cute walkable residential neighborhood which I took advantage of. There were some really nice gardens up and down the street. Both the living room and front porch were very comfortable so I ended many of my evening just sitting in the front and reflecting.

Boise, ID

I think the Boise AirBnB was my favorite ‘home’ on this trip. I had my own full apartment above the garage which made it look like it was up in the trees. It was in such a beautiful, walking, tree lined neighborhood which made it very peaceful. It was named “Pat’s Treehouse” after one of the owners, however, I called it that because I was able to watch the Pats on the big screen television!

Fargo, ND

My Fargo AirBnB kept the trend of being in a nice residential neighborhood. I was able to walk to a few restaurants as well as the Fargo Brewing Company. It had a beautiful outdoor sitting area which I took advantage of by eating some of my meals there. The weather was so nice, I was able to work outside sometimes as well. I was a little surprised that Fargo in October was that warm.

I have future AirBnBs in Raleigh, NC, Miami, FL and Birmingham, AL already reserved for my upcoming Florida family get-a-way trip.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Omaha To Missoula and Back Iowa Nebraska Bridges

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge – Omaha, NE – Aug 2021

Nov 26, 2021 Martin 2 Comment

I went to see the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

The Nebraska side of the bridge is located at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Visitor Center. Across much of my trip, I came across locations related to Lewis and Clark over and over. They were everywhere out there! Unfortunately, much of the walking area of the center was under construction and fenced off.

As you walk out of the visitor center and under the bridge, you come across the troll. I found it funny as that’s the second troll under a bridge I’ve seen this year.

Troll under the Pedestrian Bridge

Troll under a Wheeling, WV bridge

We got along.

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge stretches 300 feet across the Missouri River from Omaha, NE to Council Bluffs, IA.

I walked the bridge to Iowa.

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Looking from Iowa to Nebraska

It was windy over the Missouri River. It had the cables rattling.

This guy was on the Council Bluffs side of the bridge. Not sure what he was looking at.

Omaha Runza To Missoula and Back Disc Golf Nebraska

Exploring Omaha – Day 1 – Aug 2021

Nov 25, 2021 Martin 0 Comment

Pretty cool that I find myself in Omaha, Nebraska!

I grabbed some coffee at a neighborhood coffee shop and spent my morning working from my AirBnB.

I had a recommendation from my brother to eat a Runza while here. The original Runza location is no longer around so I went to the closest one I could find for lunch. Runza started in 1949 by Sally Everett in Lincoln, NE. The operations were expanded by her son and are still run by her grandchildren. The Runza Sandwich features bread that is baked fresh daily stuffed with ground beef, onions, spices, and cabbage. I added mushrooms, onions and cheese to mine. It’s kind of like a Nebraskan cheese steak. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one.

Went back to the AirBnB to work through the afternoon then headed out for some disc golf. I played two courses. The first one was a short nine hole course at Hanscom Park Disc Golf Course about a quarter mile from my home. I really enjoyed having this nearby as I did go back a few more times during my stay. It was close and I could get through a round in about 30 minutes. AND…. I SHOT MY FIRST ACE so why not go back!

Shot my ace on hole 4 at Hanscom Park Disc Golf Course.
It was a short hole of only 135 feet but I had to wind it around numerous trees.

From here I headed to Seymour Smith Disc Golf Course which was about 30 minutes away in La Vista, NE. It is one of the better rated courses in the area and is a more challenging 18 basket course. Loved that I was disc golfing in Nebraska!

I had decided, while in the planning process of this trip, that I’d treat myself to a steak dinner in Omaha. After golfing, I went home, cleaned up and headed to The Drover. Certainly not a high end joint. The inside was very dark with cowboy motif. There was a salad bar. The steak was OK. I’ll go elsewhere the next time.

Went by Pageturners Lounge per Michael’s recommendation. Excellent little venue. There was a duet playing which ended with Pink Floyd’s “If”. Always enjoy live music!

Old Market Omaha To Missoula and Back Nebraska

The Old Market in Omaha – Aug 2021

Nov 23, 2021 Martin 0 Comment

I arrived into Omaha late in the day and spent my first night exploring the Old Market. The Old Market in Omaha is the most historic and most entertaining neighborhood in the city. There are all kinds of shops, galleries, restaurants and taverns along its cobblestone streets. I found it to be a great place to interact with some locals and people watch.

My first stop was at a local tavern called Mister Toad. I was hoping to find some live music and this seemed to be the only place that had any in the area. According to the website, there was a piano player that night. Unfortunately, I didn’t think he was very good and neither he nor the bartender were very friendly. I did like the bar itself. There was some cool stuff on the old brick walls and in one room there was pew seating and bookshelves. I stayed for one beer and then went exploring.

I continued exploring, walking in and out of stores, sitting on benches people watching and just enjoying the fact that I was in Omaha, Nebraska!

I enjoyed a store called The Lotus. The Lotus is a new age shop with fun gifts, home made soap, unique clothing and other interesting items. The owner, Loralee, welcomed me in and even offered me a glass of wine. I stayed there and chatted with her for quite awhile. I bought some soap and a back pack and continued on.

Just a few doors down from The Lotus was a bar called The Monster Club. I was intrigued so went in. I probably spent close to an hour here. The bartenders were very friendly and engaged in conversation, the beer selection was excellent and the collection of monsters was outstanding! They refer to themselves as ” an homage to horror in popular culture”. Loved this place! I ended up wandering around the bar looking at things and taking pictures.