Nebraska and Iowa

We decided that since we only had 300 miles to drive today, we would sleep in (7:00) and take our time packing up.  Our goal was to be on the road by 9:00 a.m.  Goal met.  It was a good day to drive east.  The sun was behind clouds so we didn't have to fight sun in our eyes.

This is the way Keegan passes his time while waiting for us to get packed up.

Our spot at the Grand Island KOA, Nebraska.

I think this is a barn but I am not sure.  I see it every time we take I-80 near Lincoln, Nebraska.

Lincoln State Capitol Building.  Carol and I lived in Bellevue, Nebraska for three years and not one time did we drive to Lincoln.  How sad is that?  In fact, we hardly went anywhere out of Omaha.  Anytime he had leave, we went back to Illinois.

Old barn along I-80 in Nebraska  I love these old barns and they are getting fewer and fewer.  I like to document them with a picture when I see one.

This sits above I-80.  We have seen it several times but I never knew for sure what it was.  This time I looked it up on the internet.  It is called Holy Family Shrine and was built in the late 1980's as a traveler rest and retreat.  The purpose is to provide a place for travelers to stop, rest, and have a time of reflection.

Bellevue, Nebraska sign to point the route to the city Carol and I began our journey together.  Omaha has changed and grown so much since 1966-1969 years that we lived in Bellevue.   

This is a dome at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha.  Inside the dome are animals that live in a desert environment.  This has been built since we visited the zoo when we lived here.

This engine is at the Welcome Center for Nebraska in Omaha.  We have never stopped at the Visitor's Center.  We are always in too much of a hurry to get some place else.  I know from reading about the center that it's displays revolve around the railroad.  I think it would be an interesting stop.

Leaving Nebraska.

You never know what you will see as you travel on the interstate.    As we got closer to this semi I thought it was carrying a huge bone but it turned out to be a huge boulder or a fake boulder.  This truck had two on it and there are two more trucks carrying the same type load.  Those trucks can be seen ahead of this one.  Carol said that maybe these boulders were fake and would be used as landscaping.  Anyway,  I thought it was unusual and something I had never seen before.  We also were passed by four Prevost motorhomes.  Prevost motorhomes range in price form $500,000 to one million dollars.  They were unmarked but had Tennessee license plates on them so we wondered if they were carrying country singers who had preformed at the Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration.  Georgia/Florida Line preformed on Friday night.  Maybe???

 This boxer is camping across the street from us.  He seems to really love his frisbee.  He walked around with it in his mouth waiting for someone, anyone to throw it.  It reminded us of Frosty who feels the same way about his ball. 

Site #25 at Newton KOA, Iowa.  This is a nice place to camp.  We stopped at 3:00 p.m. and since that time it has been filling up.  There is a nice swimming pool, jumping pillow, and playground for kids.  Keegan has been on the go since we got here.

This is the most amazing picture.  Last year at this time, Keegan was so afraid of water.  He would hang on to the sides of the pool.  Just look at him now jumping into the pool.

He even puts his head under the water.

I think swimming lessons are in his future.

This will be our final night of our trip.  I am always sad to see a trip end.  Tomorrow we have about six more hours to drive home.  I think Keegan is ready to see mom and dad.  He has been a great traveler and we have had a good time.