Tag lincoln

Kearney Lincoln Omaha To Missoula and Back Disc Golf Nebraska

Driving from Omaha, NE to Kearney, NE

Martin 0 Comment

I had the weekend to get from Omaha, NE (G on the map) to Denver, CO (B).  While planning the trip, I decided I’d stop in Kearney, NE (A) for the night.  Lake Hastings Park, one of the top disc golf courses in Nebraska, was near there and just off the route (I).  Kearney (pronounced Car-Knee) also had a course and some live music spots.  It is about half way across Nebraska and would a perfect place to stop for the night.  This turned into a fun, full day of the trip.

Played a quick 9 holes at  my local course in Omaha before heading out to Lincoln, NE.  Lincoln was not originally on my itinerary, but it was on the way and would be a good place to stop for my coffee. I ended up wandering around the capitol building which turned into it’s own little adventure that deserved a separate post! It was an excellent excursion!
Played a round of disc golf at Lake Hasting Park in Hastings, NE.  This was one of my favorite courses on the trip.  It had some a good mix of shots through trees and over/around water.  It was set in a beautiful park.  It was quite hot out that day and I was able to take a dip in the lake to cool off!
Saw this stretched across the highway as I approached Kearney. I had to go see what it was.  The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument is a rest area, monument and museum that houses a historical experience that tells the story of Nebraska and the Platte River Valley in the development of America.  Unfortunately, the museum itself was closed.  I did find the rest area full of history and historical stories.  I enjoyed walking around, reading the plaques and learning more.
Kearney, NE is the sandhill crane capital of the world! Every year between March and April, over 600,000 Sandhill Cranes make a stop in Kearney on their way north.  Unfortunately, I was there after this event but I heard stories about it.  They say the sound itself is pretty amazing.  Maybe I’ll pass this way again during this migration event some day.
 
Made it into Kearney later in the day and explored downtown a bit.


Everyone was very into the
University of Nebraska volleyball game
Explored Yanney Park and enjoyed the sunset from there.  The park had a little lake, a bunch of waling trails and a lookout tower.  The new “Gardens of Yanney Park” was under construction and should be a beautiful place to walk around when it’s done.
Went to Cunningham’s Journal for some live music before calling it a night.
Lincoln To Missoula and Back Nebraska

Lincoln, NE Capitol Building Excursion – Aug 2021

Martin 0 Comment

I headed out early from Omaha (G on he map) and although it was not on my original itinerary, I decided Lincoln, NE (H) would be a good place to stop for my morning coffee.  It was on the route heading west, is the capital of the state and would be a good break after knocking out about an hour of driving.

Although quite hot, it was a beautiful day and I headed towards the Capitol building. Definitely a different looking building than other capital buildings I’ve seen.  You know, the ones with big marble pillars, two wings and a large dome in the middle.  This was a tower with a dome on top.

I was walking the sidewalk around the block looking across the lawns and admiring it up on the hill when a car pulled up next to me.  A woman rolled down her window and yelled out, “I think it’s open today!”.  I had to look around to see if she was talking to me!  I thanked her and she drove on. 


Well that was weird, but, I guess I have to go see if it’s open.  

Loved the big Bison head door handle


It was open, so I went in.

I found a creepy elevator. 

I pressed “B”.  It went down.  And there I was.  Who knew that at some point in my life, I’d find myself wandering around the basement of the capitol building in Lincoln, Nebraska. Very cool brick work with the curved ceiling.  It had very cool acoustics as I walked a bit through the halls reading the senator names on the office doors.

I went back in and pressed the top button. I went to the top and I found there was an outdoor walkway around the top.  I gazed out across Nebraska.  It’s flat.

What a fun, unexpected excursion! 


I got my coffee.  Explored a little of the area.  And headed on my way.

(I was not the only one in the Capitol building. Top to bottom, there were other tourists and tours and I felt it to be a safe environment)