39 The Sculptures of Omaha

 

Pioneer Stride

There are a lot of Arts, performing and otherwise, in Omaha. One wondrous one is the Sculpture Garden. A unique grouping of Pioneers in Bronze. It’s set in a scene likely to have occurred here on the prairie 120 years ago. Families working their way slowly across the plains in search of a new life. It’s extremely well done and about 1 1/2 life size. Dennis pointed out that the sculptor put his own face and that of his two kids on some of the figures.

 

 

Bronzed Pioneers

Buffalo Shade

There are other sculptures scattered around town. Buffalo in mid-stride, even one coming through a wall. Also a huge flock of geese rising out of a fountain. This place, Omaha, loves it’s art!

Read Users' Comments (0)

38 The Omaha Orpheum

 
 

  

The Orpheum

 

Our friend Dennis from Tourist Info set up a privet tour conducted by Jeff. He Knows every nook and cranny of this place. His father worked here for years. Jeff was hired right out of High School and took his Dad’s place when he retired. We walked through the magnificent place and he pointed out details.   

The Orpheum Theatre, built in 1927, was originally a Vaudeville Venue. It’s seen hundreds of acts including names like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney and so many more. Also thousands of films were shown in those golden days. 

  

Recent Plays

 

It is currently home for the Omaha Performing Arts, theatre venue. It underwent a $10 million renovation 8 years ago. If you like arte deco decor you’ll love the Omaha Orpheum.      

 

   

 
 
 
 

  

 

 

Read Users' Comments (0)

37 Jazz on the Green

Concert

Daryl, the  guy we met in Plattsmouth, called and invited us to “Jazz on the Green” . We walked to Patrick’s Market and found wine, meat and cheese. Our wonderful Magnolia Hotel has a beautiful Cadillac Escalade they use to shuttle guests. We took advantage, they dropped us at the event. I called Daryl he stood and waved so we could find him in the huge crowd. His wife, Nancy introduced us to Their daughter-in-law, Cinnamon, granddaughter Destiny and grandson Jacob. The band is from California, strictly Jazz, not our cup of tea but we did enjoy getting to know the family. During intermission I made a trip to the toilets. A girl sitting reading a book looked familiar. Back at our blankets I pointed her out. Cat said, “It’s Anne,” and invited her over. She was a good addition to a great group.

Pat & Daryl

Anne & Nancy

Destiny & Cinnamon

Read Users' Comments (0)

36 Exploring Omaha

Skyline

 

Get off the bikes for a day so why not take a LONG WALK in the heat? It was cooler but the sun still scorches. Found the Toutist Info center and a great guy, Dennis. Retired Attorney and knows lots about Omaha. Been living here 66 years, a lifetime. He pointed us down the trail toward the Pedestrian Bridge and Lewis and Clark Center. Walking is a terrific way to get acquainted with a city. 

Reflections

 

Tree Lined

 

On the bridge we could stand with one foot in Nebraska and the other in Iowa. At the L & C Center we ran into a gal, Anne, that we’d seen at the Hotel. She’s from Milwaukee, takes her vacations visiting Zoos and she says they have a good one here. The center has 

Leahy Mall

 

Pedestrain Bridge

 

a wall map outlining the L & C  Expedition. We’ve been cycling the Trail for days.   

2 State Stride

 

L & C Expedition

  

Read Users' Comments (2)

35 Cycling in to Omaha

Parmele Friends

We six guests of Carroll’s Parmele House gathered for breakfast at 8:00 AM. Good good, sort of an upscale breakfast burrito accompanied by fruit and a bread pudding sort of dish. Funny we felt close after only a few hours of being together.  Then we scattered like dust in the Nebraska prairie wind.

Getting us back to Hwy 75 wasn’t easy, as Carroll had warned. Very steep hills that left us panting and sweating in the early hours of the day. Once on the Hwy we found a rough shoulder with lots of those steel belted tire fragments that we know lead to flat tires. It was only  slightly more than 20 miles in.

Warm but do-able. Passing  Offutt Air Force Base was interesting. The planes fly right

Omaha Snow?

over the Hwy. As you pass under the approach there’s a sign, “Don’t be startled by sudden Jet Noise.” Another anomaly, the sign stating that we’re riding on the Emergency Snow Route.

We easily found our way to Hotel Magnolia. It’s an enclave just a few blocks from old town and a bustling business district that’s accented by high rises. The staff was wonderful. We checked in and just pushed the bikes to ther elevator and up to our room. As we began setting up camp but the AC  shut down. The Maintenance Engineer reset it and left. It didn’t sart to cool. We called again and VOILA, they upgraded us to a huge corner room overlooking the street corner. Our new perch for the next 3 days.

Read Users' Comments (0)

34 Plattsmouth in the Rain

Ridin' in Rain

Soggy

It looked like rain, Cat hedged our bet. It’s 50 miles to Omaha but there’s a town, Plattsmouth just 20 miles up Hwy 75. Still in hills but do-able. It began to drizzle then the drops got bigger and after a short time we were in steady rain. Passing trucks and cars sprayed us, too. We began to prune out.

 
 

Court House

In to Plattsmouth in time for lunch at Mom’s Cafe. Good food and we met 3 guys there from an excavation company. They were all interested in our stories. The owner as it turns out, Daryl, told us about an event, “Jazz on the Green” in Omaha on Thursday. He’s also going to see Lyle Lovette tonight.

Cat called and confirmed the room at The Palmele House B&B and got directions. We decided to ride down to the River Landing only to find that the Missouri River had changed course and it was 4 miles upstream now. Very steep hills riding up to the B&B. Carroll, the owner, had us pull up onto her big porch. She provided rags to wipe the bikes and bags down with. We lashed the bikes to a porch swing and stashed the bags inside.

Palmele House

We jumped into the shower while Carroll dried our soggy cycling cloths. Spent the afternoon chatting with another couple, Jack & Wendy, from Redwood City, California. They’re searching roots and found that a relative of hers built the Palmele House and a cousin had lived in it. Nice old place built in 1905.

Another couple, Frank and Sherry are career Army. Stationed at Leavenworth, he is deploying for the 6Th time to Iraq next week. So this is like a little honeymoon for them. She too is Army. Their eldest son is now in the Army and headed to South Korea. The other is in college. He is deploying to the middle east again soon. This is a True Army Family! Sherry told us about the Bicycling Buffalo Soldiers.

Another Godfather evening for us. Too far and weather too unstable to walk into town.

Read Users' Comments (0)

33 Nebraska City

A short ride under threatening gray skies. Early out and early in. We chose to stop after Cat watched the weather report before breakfast. The skies remained ominous looking as we rode the lighter hills. We were in Nebraska City by11:00 AM. The Best Western is at the southern edge of town. We cycled past it, found that WalMart was just next door. It’s a mile into the old town and no restaurants nearby.

After a quick reconnoitre we rolled back to the BW. Nice place. Cat worked on reservations in Sioux City on the Biz Center computer. I tried to get this Blog caught up. Wine and salad from WalMart, Pizza delivered by God Father’s.

WalMart Wine Cart

Read Users' Comments (2)

32 Off to Auburn, Nebraska, 52 Miles

Decided to get an early start so Breakfast at Mickey D’s. Yikes, another flat, my rear wheel, of course. Change of plan, I changed the tube while Cat went to MacDonald’s. In a hurry I got the tire on backward, DAMN! Had to do it twice. Breakfast with grease under my fingernails.

Cat got road advice from a local who rides a recumbent. We backtracked a little then jumped on Hwy 36 west for about 8 miles then north on Hwy 75 and in to our 6Th state, Nebraska. Pulled up looking for cold drinks in a tiny town. Asked at the Post Office and learned that there’s not a cafe, store or service station here. The Post Mistress pointed to a machine. We had a very cold cola, she allowed Cat illegal use of the toilet and we rode on. Very nice woman, she apoligized for the lack of services. She’s from Colorado and misses it.

Old Buggy

 
 

Cow Barn

Farm on Pond

Cat 'n' Corn

Statea # Seven

In spite of the flat beginning we made good time. Had a sandwich at 1:30 then found the Arbor Manor. It’s a beautiful old house that houses a good restaurant. The rooms are a latter day addition motel. They had rain delayed 4Th fireworks behind our room at the high school followed by natures own display of lightening and thunder through the night.

Arbor House

 

 

Read Users' Comments (2)

31 Hiawatha and the Davis Memorial

 

Rows & Rolls

Got out early for the 40 mile ride through smaller rolling hills. Same Ag land with lots of corn and soy beans. Clouds have gathered and it was much cooler. Stopped for a cold drinks and talked with Emil, a guy originally from Croatia who lived in Seattle and retired form Boeing. He lives in Missouri now. Tried and liked MacDonald’s Chicken Salad for lunch in Hiawatha then cycled out to the Cemetery to visit the famous Davis Monument. 

Interesting story of John Davis. He came to Hiawatha in 1879 as an orphan and went to work for the Hart Family. They were outraged when their daughter Sarah Elizabeth married John. They disinheritied them. The family was further incensed when after working hard John bought the two best quarters sections of land in the county. and became extremely wealthy. Sarah died at age 70, John had no heirs and wouldn’t leave his money to her family. So, he began building the monument. People in Hiawatha were incensed, when they asked him to build a swimming pool or community center and he refused. Reporter Ernie Pyle interviewed John Davis in the late 1930s. He said, “The people here hate me but it was my money and I spent it the way I pleased.” The monument has become the biggest tourist attraction in Hiawatha.

Young John & Sarah

 

Old John & Sarah

There is another attraction just across the road from the cemetery, an Agricultural Museum. The buildings were closed but we did enjoy a wonderful windmill display. These once water workhorses are now relgated to scrap heaps, replaced like horses with horse power.

Windmill Display

Read Users' Comments (0)

30 Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe

Amelia

Cat had read of a Trolley Tour in Atchison. We got in, got a room then learned that the last tour would depart from the Information Center at 3:00 PM. We took quick showers then sweat again as we hustled to make the tour. The ladies at the Center were great. The Trolley was actually a mini bus. Diane, our driver told us the Trolley was being repaired. We were the only tourist on the bus. Diane is new. She’s a great driver but has to stop and read the sights as we go. We learned that the big industry of course was the Railroad and other related industries like Iron Works. Most of the sights are just okay. The highpoint is Amelia Earhart’s birthplace. Actually he Grandfather’s home.

 

Grandpa's House

Double Bridge

Engineer Pat

Judy Garland sings, 

 

Read Users' Comments (0)

 Page 3 of 11 « 1  2  3  4  5 » ...  Last »