Nebraska Travel - Discovering the Heartland State

Spectacular scenery, warm hospitality and delicious food

The food was great--the scenery spectacular--the hospitality offered by the people of Nebraska was even greater. Here we were in another Heartland State, situated west of Iowa and just north of Kansas.

Dominating the tremendous landscape is the area within the Platte Valley and along the Platte River. Historically known for its agriculture, highways and cities, the Platte Valley has now taken on a new role- a recreational role for those who pass through it or who live along the river.

One of the most recent attractions, opened this spring, is the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, situated across Interstate 80, the primary route between east and west coasts at Kearney. The monument is a testimony to the route that was not so long ago only a faint moccasin path into the western frontier, seeping with Wild West history.

The archway itself boasts dimensions or more than a football field in length, three stories high and fifty feet wide. It is the only historical monument that has been granted air rights over a federal interstate, housing two levels of interactive exhibits, that takes one on a magical journey through the history of the Great Platte River Road from Oregon Trail days to the fibreoptic world of tomorrow.

The Arch itself is an incredible example of engineering and design and its claim to fame is that it is the tallest monument in America. New this year is a visit to the top by means of a combination pod-elevator. Once there, one is treated to a breathtaking view; on one side, a panoramic view of St. Louis in its entirety, and on the other side, there it flows, the mighty Mississippi. Below the arch, the area has been developed to recreate a time when riverboats ruled, offering a picture of what it must have been during its colorful past.

As I entered the facility, I immediately saw an escalator, heading upwards into the back of a covered wagon. I was soon inside and my exciting journey began, with State-of-the-art audio technologies transporting me into the sounds of stampeding buffalo and a chugging railway, reliving somewhat the experience of Oregon Trail days.

We were told of the natural phenomenon, (occurs through February to April), when a half million Sandhill Cranes return to a stretch of the Platte River to refresh for six weeks during the long migration north. As many as 90 percent of the world’s known population of the species pass through here yearly. Joining them are nearly 10 million ducks and geese, including at least 2 million snow geese, a truly awesome sight.

Continuing on our trip east we came upon the Strategic Air Command Museum, with some of the world’s mightiest warplanes on display. The museum boasts a collection of 33 planes and six missiles, with a 60,000 pound SR 71 Blackbird suspended at the entrance. The Blackbird holds world records for speed and altitude with a top speed recorded at 2,280 mph, and an official service ceiling of 80,000 ft.

As we left the amazing world of speed flight we came upon the Lee G.Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari, considered a Zoo, but stayed in our car as the animals wander free.. A four mile interior road took us past animals native to the area where a plot of tall grass prairie surrounding the visitor centre has recreated the 57 prairie plant species once native to eastern Nebraska. Both in Nebraska and Iowa, a real push is on in conservation and re-creation to save what’s left of the prairie.

Nebraska is not all agriculture and highways though, as we found in Omaha, a vibrant metropolitan centre which has combined its historical feel and urban edge. I wandered through the Old Market, a 12 Sq. block of 19th Century buildings. Never did a latte taste better, and herein lay shops brimming with antiques, art, or Persian rugs. The evening rounded off with a visit to the city’s top nightspots - what’s your thing? Jazz, rock, blues, or Irish folk tunes--take your choice.

Omaha - how glad I was that we didn’t pass through Nebraska without making this city our last memorable stop.

Author: Sandra Thomas