Day 178 - Wedding in Omaha

We started out the big day with breakfast at Billy Frogg's. No great shakes, but it was a fun environment, much like Heroes in Fullerton, CA where we did a few m'owers. We visited the Durham Museum as our pre-wedding activity which turned out to be well worth it. It's in the art-deco 1930s Omaha train station which ceased handling trains and passengers in 1971 and became a museum around 1980. We were particularly taken by the "action" statues all around the place depicting life in the day. Our Durham Museum photos are here. We understand this was the original wedding venue plan, but something fell through and they moved to Lauritzen Gardens. Both are great spots, even the inside areas at Lauritzen are like gardens. Would have liked to explore the outdoor areas more.

Wedding and Reception location.

At the center-aisle end of each row of chairs.

Mr. and Mrs. Jon and Heather

The flower petals around the candles became confetti.

Yes, one was chocolate peanut butter.

Ben, Jon, Marc

Kimme and Ben

Durham Museum

Day 177

Off to Wheatfields for breakfast. We passed the Union Pacific Railroad building on the way. Today's big outing was to the Omaha Zoo; all the photos are here. We gave up a little earlier than would be normal as it was 95 degrees and 95% humidity. Then the really big deal of the day was a fantastic anniversary dinner at V. Mertz.

Breakfast

The officer was telling the folks "it's quiet now, but tonight..."

At Lauritzen Gardens (wedding site tomorrow).

Afternoon delight - Prosecco.

V. Mertz

We mentioned it was our anniversary when making the ressie.

La Storia, Alexander Valley!

Tomahawk Steak (for two). Golden Goodness to the right.

Twice baked potatoes and heirloom tomatoes.

Just outside.

Across the hall was this room...

BLM et al had taken over one intersection.

They win.

Day 176

After a quick stop at the Starbucks and Walmart in North Platte, NE, Jamie and Lynn headed out to Union Pacific Railroad's Bailey Yard, home of the Golden Spike Tower, where you can view the huge yard from the 7th and 8th floor. All the Bailey Yard photos are here. Fabulous lunch at Suwanee Thai in Kearney, NE. Uniquely good! After an audio lesson or two on Genesis from Dennis Prager, they were at their destination: Omaha, NE. Very fun downtown area just a few blocks from the hotel. Full of fun restaurants, pubs, shops, etc. with more on the way. We tried to go to the French place, Le Bouillon, but it was booked with private parties all weekend. So we chose Nicola's Italian place and it was great.

UPRR's Bailey Yard as seen from the Golden Spike Tower.

Downtown North Platte.
The Bailey Yard is a couple miles to the left.

Suwanee Thai

Suwanee's Spicy Green Beans

12+ seat "bike" in Omaha

At Nicola's

Snitch Chardonnay (Napa). Cute label.
Excellent bruschetta at Nicola's.

12 People Power + 2 tag-a-longs (rear) and a driver

From the former U.S. National Bank downtown.
Originally 1887, reconstructed in 1979.

UPRR face mask at Golden Spike Tower

And that's just the sitting room...

Day 175

It was great to walk AJ to school again; it's been over a year. And Matt was right behind with the littles. Nana and Papa had lunch at El Jacal Mexican Grill in Fort Morgan, CO and dinner at the Canteen Bar and Grille in North Platte, NE. Fabulous mud pie at the Canteen, and a delightfully friendly server. The two of them are on their way to a wedding in Omaha, NE.

El Jacal, Fort Morgan, CO

AJ and Papa

Canteen, North Platte, NE