Nebraska. Why yes there is more than cornfields.

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

I know you are asking yourself. Why on earth anyone would choose to go to Nebraska for their summer vacation? After all there is nothing there but corn, cows and oh yeah a college football stadium with lots of red.

On this trip my goal is to show you that there is more than that to Nebraska. How did we get to this point of having our vacations to Nebraska? Well simply because that is where Steve is from. Actually I grew up there too, but we never knew each other there. My dad was in the Air Force and was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. We lived in a small subdivision on the corner of Highway 50 and Hwy 370 near Springfield, Nebraska from 1976-1983. This is close to the area where Rob (BRDof3) lives. Steve is from the Sandhills in a place called Arnold, Nebraska. The closest large city is North Platte. We met in Maryland though. So, there you have it we go back to Nebraska to visit family and friends. We talk often about moving back there and honestly if the opportunity came up we would probably go.

Going to Nebraska of course is nothing new for us, but I wanted us to go to some places that we had never been to before. So, I started my search. Remember I am the obsessive compulsive planner. In my searching I found the Nebraska Byways tour. I thought it looked perfect. We could drive from Alabama to Nebraska and then take the byways around and through the state. I was even hoping to rent a class C motor home once we got to Omaha. That idea got scratched really early on. I really didn’t want to rent from a large company and there are not too many smaller private companies that rent campers in Nebraska. The ones that do basically give you nothing in the camper. So, the renting of the rv was out. That’s ok we could still do the byways. Right? Well no that idea was nixed by everyone else. Steve had wanted to go to Colorado, but with all the fires out there we decided that would not be a good idea either. So, our final decision was Arnold, Nebraska from July 2- July 8^th and Omaha from July 8- July 13^th. Then go to Kansas City, Missouri from July 13-July15th. The Omaha part got shortened by a day as we decided to add an extra day on to the Kansas City part.

Steve wanted to leave on Saturday, but Drew had an opportunity to go white water rafting with a friend. The first time he went he didn’t really like it and I felt he should really give it another try. He went and had a blast.

He got back around noon on Sunday and we got the van packed up kids and all.

Jessica brought Laney along for the trip. Well actually she brought her and what seemed like a million other dolls and stuffed animals. :rofl3:

Look she already has some more of them out.

Before we knew it we were in Tennessee around the Franklin area. Not knowing exactly where Dave, INC, Bob, Kathy or Yensid live I decide then was good time to start waving to them. :wave1:

Then we came upon this.

The Batman building. I didn't do a trip report last year, but some of you may remember that it was right around here that the transmission in our van went out last year. We got a brand new transmission. I had the oil changed before we left. Replaced a tire that was bad and got the alignment taken care of. We were good for this trip. Well at least for the way there we were. :banghead:

Jessica decided it was a good time to put the Barbies away and bring out a stuffed animal.

Since we are driving to Nebraska we will be a few rivers to get there. Here is the first one.

At this point Jessica was done playing with her toys for awhile and wanted to take some pictures. Here is the bridge we had just gone over.

Better them than us. :clint:

I don't know why she took this one. It's in Kentucky.

Rachel got creative with her cheese. Yes. We are those mean parents that pack bread and sandwich fixings for the road trips we take.

Jessica gave the camera back to me. So, I snapped a picture of her.

For the most part this was how she is when we travel.

This is how you will usually find Drew.

Well unless he is driving. Which we did let him do a little bit of on this trip.

Here's Rachel.

Look here comes another bridge. We are almost to Illinois.

That means it is almost time for our first stop. You know the one. Fill the car with gasoline, empty the bladders, make sandwiches, and switch drivers.

Here we are.

Before leaving of course we had to get these photos.

Ok swich places.

Here is one taken about 5 years ago. We were commenting about how Steve use to have to lift Jessica up so she could see over.

Well since this is where we took our first break. I guess it's a good place as any to take one here too.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Yeah!!!! Another trip report!!!!

[TnBob 311]

Great! I am on board, although you went right past us without stopping for a coffee. :gaah:

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

Great! I am on board, although you went right past us without stopping for a coffee. :gaah:

You were at the Fort. Remember?

[TnBob 311]

not on your way homeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

That is true, but we were a day behind when we were suppose to get home. Steve just really wanted to get the car home and into our driveway. If we had made it through on Sunday without car trouble then we wouldn't have gone through your area until around midnight. Somehow I don't think you would want to meet us for coffee then.

[TnBob 311]

ahhhhh it's midnight right now and I have coffee in front of me lol, next time, anyway loving your TR

[Lou... 3,118]

I know you are asking yourself. Why on earth anyone would choose to go to Nebraska for their summer vacation? After all there is nothing there but corn, cows and oh yeah a college football stadium with lots of red.

I'm not asking myself, why go to Nebraska. One of my most memorable business trips, ever, to observe factory automation was to of all places, Nebraska. It was during one of the coldest and snowiest winters ever. The high tech manufacturing going on there surprised and amazed me.

And the Nebraska people were just great, real Americans. They showed me a great time.

I even bought a bright red Corn Husker sweat shirt.

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

I love TRs about places I am unfamiliar with! Your kids are cuties!

[stefa70 205]

After seeing your pics I cant help singing the National Lampoon Vacation song....

I love seeing the comparison pic of the girls. They were so tiny!! :heart:

I'm along for the ride, carry on.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Before we knew it we were in Tennessee around the Franklin area. Not knowing exactly where Dave, INC, Bob, Kathy or Yensid live I decide then was good time to start waving to them. :wave1:

.

The Franklin area. Yeah, that's not too far from me. IT'S ONLY WHERE I LIVE!!! And if I was at the office, I could have waved at you on I-65 as you went by. But no, I'm not mad that you didn't stop to say hello. Nope, not mad at all. :popo:

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

I am in. I happen to know there is more to Nebraska than cornfields. There are flood waters too. I know I saw them last year!

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

Looking forward to learning more about Nebraska!

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

I'm in! Yes I admit I believe all Nebraska has is cornfields. We have been through the State many times but have never stopped. Waiting for the next installment!

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

I am on board and looking forward to the next episode!

[Dollface...CindyC 18]

I'm in too! Great report so far!

[BRDof3...Rob 40]

I am in. I happen to know there is more to Nebraska than cornfields. There are flood waters too. I know I saw them last year!

Last year we were watching new flood reports almost daily. This year we are watching drought updates and waiting for water restrictions. Crazy.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Last year we were watching new flood reports almost daily. This year we are watching drought updates and waiting for water restrictions. Crazy.

It's not my fault.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Last year we were watching new flood reports almost daily. This year we are watching drought updates and waiting for water restrictions. Crazy.

Just thinking the same thing...

It's not my fault.

You O'hannaed one too many times.. didn't you?

[SCTigerCock 171]

I like corn. :wave1:

Please continue. :jumpforjoy

Now. :clint:

[kampfirekim 260]

:yay: I'm in!

[H in SC 85]

I'm in too. :)

[Lil Lisa 53]

So the million dollar question is, "Did you meet up with our favorite Nebraska fiend?"

[DaveInTN 3,247]

:yay: I'm in!

I'm in too. :)

How cute, and only 2 minutes apart.

[4mickey2 41]

if you get a chance definitely meet up with rob! i wish we could of met the clan while we were there. but, when you don't know where you're going and have a short time to get there.... <shrug>

:rofl3:

great tr so far.. if you made it through chi-town then did you come up through wisconsin and not give a shout out? now, you know, this just can't go on...you must at least let us know when to wave to you... :clint: