Our stay near Omaha was four days. Not long enough to see a whole lot, but it certainly counts as having stayed in a new state for us! Although, we did get into town to see a few sights, plus got in some relaxing time at the RV park.
Trish playing ladder ball with me.
Our travel day was just over 200 miles and was due south on I-29. One thing that we have really noticed with the warmer temps is the high humidity as we have left the higher elevations. The high humidity can hit you like a ton of bricks after being in very dry locations all spring and summer. The temp was 92 when we arrived with 62% humidity.
Omaha Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state at 975,000 people in its metro area. I’ll be perfectly honest here, it was not really a destination for us, but a waypoint stopover. The only things I really knew about Nebraska was that they usually have a good college football team, they grow tons of crops, and one of my former co-workers (Monte Engebritson) was from here. And they have those Omaha steaks!
The city is also at an elevation of 1,090 feet. We keep descending as we head southeast. Guess that will continue until we reach Florida in late November. Hope it stays above water with all the global warming going on. 🙂
The Durham Museum
The Durham Museum building was simply incredible! Right down my alley. A classic building and tons of railroad displays. In fact, they have several old railroad cars, completely restored and allowing you to peruse at your leisure. Love it.
The building itself is the former Union Station built in the Art Deco styling. Several railroad stations came and went in Omaha’s early years. Construction of Union Station, which today houses The Durham Museum, commenced on July 29, 1929 on the site of the 1899 station.
They had speakers to tell an audio story behind the bronze statues. 
I can’t leave Trish alone anymore! 
At the ticket window 
Checking the schedules 
The soda counter. Real people. 
I would like to be back in this simpler era (for a little while) 
From their website: Gilbert Stanley Underwood, one of the finest architects in the classic art-deco style, was given free rein in designing the structure and his style is reflected in every facet of the construction. He utilized a terra cotta exterior overlay to create a visually stunning effect and was involved in all artistic decisions from the ceiling of the Main Waiting Room to the door handles on the ticket counter. Peter Kiewit Sons’ was commissioned to build Underwood’s steel framed structure. After twenty months and $3.5 million, the 124,000 square-foot building was complete.
The TV dinner was born in Omaha!
A fully restored Pullman car. 
And you are allowed to just sit and look around. 
Some plush seating that folds down to become two beds plus a 3rd one above. 
The lounge car. What a way to travel. Better than being cramped back in coach class on a modern plane with crying baby behind me. 
The isles are very narrow. 
The Joslyn Art Museum
This is a beautiful world class building and art museum. It is also free admission. I like the free part! The building was a gift from the Joslyn family as they made their fortune in the newspaper business.
The extraordinary Art Deco building was hailed not only as an important addition to the city of Omaha, but to modern American architecture as well. In 1938 it was listed among the 100 finest buildings in the United States. Construction took three years and cost almost $3 million. The three-level interior comprises some 38 marbles from around the world and includes stone from Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, and Morocco. The exterior and retaining wall alone filled 250 boxcars with Georgia Pink (Etowah Fleuri) marble.
The pictures below are some of my favorites of the gallery. A Grant Wood, some Monets, and a Rembrandt.
The images below are paintings of common American scenes that I rather liked. Although don’t remember the artist’s name.
Omaha Old Market
This section of the city is also high on the visitors list. We did a walk through, but not ready for dinner or a drink, we just looked around and then left for basecamp. I did notice quite a few residentially challenged folks asking for money. Some quite aggressive and will come right up to you. A little bothersome for sure.
A wedding party maybe?
Pat and I are currently in Indiana where we grew up to visit with family and friends. I’m a little behind on our blog updates, but hope to have them all updated soon. Thanks for following along with us! Take care and God Bless.
We also enjoyed the railroad museum.
Yes, it was like stepping back in time!
Looks like a great visit. Lots to see in such a short timeframe. Hope you have a good visit in Indiana.
Travel safe!
Robert
Enjoying the moms visit! Come on out for dinner!