We started today way in the southeast corner of Nebraska, and we went to sleep way in the northwest corner of Nebraska. We have covered the Cornhusker State from corner to corner. Traveling from Lincoln to Crawford is not for the faint of heart… 7+ hours. But we started with tractors and ended at a walk-up slice of Americana and a card game that allllll…most led to profanity, so it’s still been a great day in Nebraska!

This guy is really excited about today’s stop… The Larsen Tractor Test & Power Museum on the campus of the University of Nebraska.

So, here is the story of the Larsen Tractor Test Lab is you don’t know (which I did not until planning this trip): In the early 1900’s a company named the Ford Tractor Company of Minneapolis started making and selling tractors. They were not associated with the Ford Motor Company, but they definitely benefited from people believing they were. The Ford Tractor Company claimed their tractors were dependable, efficient, durable, powerful and easy to operate – they were not! In fact, the owner of the company, W. Baer Ewing was known to request a $75 down payment, and then refuse to deliver the tractor or return the deposit! $75 in 1915 is the equivalent of over $1,300 now. The tractors kept failing and injuring farmers, which led Nebraska State Representative Crozier to sponsor the Nebraska Tractor Test Law and Rules for Official Tractor Tests Law. The law required that advertised claims must be verified by 3 University of Nebraska engineers before being sold in Nebraska.

The museum is exactly what you would expect (small and quaint with the smell of rubber tires and diesel fuel) but it was so full of tractors and information that it had something for every level of tractor enthusiast.

These two are ready for combine driving school 😉

When I suggested taking Mike and boys’ picture inside the museum , I got tickled when Mike said “not in front of a green one” 🤣 You gotta pick your tractor – red, green or blue! It’s not something you’re wish washy about 🤣

But he did let me get one with green tractors to show the decorations.

The Test Lab and Museum were absolutely worth the stop!

After we left the Test Lab, we tried to see Cornhuskers’ Stadium, but due to construction, it was locked up tight… not that I tried to break in (I did)

Then we headed downtown to see the Nebraska State Capital, and got to see the Governor’s Mansion… He definitely isn’t missing work due to the commute (literally across the street)

After our stops in Lincoln, we hit the road because we have a whole lotta ground to cover today. We made a few stops along the way and found a few interesting sights and… a plaque!

Around noon, the serving bell rang at Mom’s Cafe, and the lunch rush was on!

Otherwise we spent the day just watching the scenery. It was beautiful and looked like something from a movie.

We did use our Roadside America App to find this restored 1922 gas station that now acts as the Visitors Center in Ogallala, Nebraska.

Mike found his dream home… think he wants solitude? 😆🤣

And we saw the coolest cloud… but we were torn whether it looks like a mom holding a baby; Jesus holding a child; or the little shepherd boy holding a sheep that comes with the nativity set?

We continued driving headed toward the Toadstool Geological Park for some weird rock formations and hiking. GPS said we would be there by 4:45, but we began hearing a repetitive weather warning about a severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. The clouds were a bit darker and we could see rain off in the distance

Then we also noticed that all the cows were herded together on the backside of all the hills, in every pasture…

According to the Weather Channel app, the storm was suppose to arrive in Toadstool Park at 4:50pm… 5 minutes behind us. This was not going to be just a drizzle.

So we changed plans and decided to check into our Airbnb, wait for storm to pass and then head on… The Airbnb is really cute – comfy and clean.

So we waited, and watched the rain, and waited, and watched the rain… and so on. Finally we decided with all this rain, hiking today was probably a bad idea, so instead we went to explore Crawford, Nebraska… and 5 minutes later, we were finished.

We decided to have dinner at the Frontier Bar and Grill. Not the fanciest place we have eaten, but not the worst. The food was tasty and we walked away with a dinner for 4 under $50. That’s definitely a rarity! We decided to check out a local take-out place for dessert, and they had to best signs/slogans, and a big chicken!

We found the American flag house that we read about on Roadside America, so we could check that off!

The sky was still pretty ominous, but we did get a beautiful sunset.

We ended back to our little place for some cards. We have finally gotten the boys to play cards with us, and it has definitely fueled some competitive words 🃏

So even though we didn’t get to see Toadstool Geological Park or Carhenge today, there’s always tomorrow. And if not then, maybe God’s giving us a reason to come back. 😉 It have still been another great day with my people! Tomorrow, we say goodbye to Nebraska and head back to discover the West side of Kansas.

If yesterday was the day of many things to do, today was the exact opposite. We slept in and said goodbye to Kansas City, and headed west. Hello Kansas, State #35!

We decided to go through Lawrence, Kansas to see the University of Kansas, but before we did that, it was time to stock up and resupply Mom’s Cafe! We headed to the nearest Walmart and then the stocking crew took over.

We loaded the car with our supplies and lastest addition to our cooler family, and off we went.

The University of Kansas was nice, definitely more hilly that we expected, but the buildings were beautiful.

We continued west – checking in at the capital building in Topeka, Kansas

Then we turned north and made our way toward Nebraska. The topography made some drastic changes as we made our way away from the cities and into more “prairie land”. Plenty of wide-open “vastness.”

We continued staying off the interstates as much as possible so we could see little towns like Home, Kansas. They may not be a large city but their 4th of July Spirit is ready to go! And their town slogan is the best: “There’s no place like Home (Kansas)” 👠👠

And of all places, we found a Mom’s Cafe just outside Home!

BUT WAIT – HANG ON… is that a plaque! YES, it is – although wooden… still counts. Since we stopped and made the boys read yet another random, roadside plaque, they now know that the state highway we are traveling on is part of the original California-Oregon trail. We didn’t find any original wagon ruts, but still cool.

And there it is, State #36 – Nebraska

Now I have to admit that sometimes my “avoid highway” criteria is a bit much for Apple Maps, who occasionally send us down cut-throughs that lead us down random dirt roads…

Finally, we made it to our destination The Homestead National Historical Park in Beatrice, Nebraska. (*Remember it is Be-A-tris. They are very proud of they city name and its proper pronunciation.)

For a little background, the Homestead Act would give 160 acres of land to any man or woman, regardless of color or nationality, IF:

• they took possession of the land;
• cleared, maintained, and resided there for 5 years; and
• built a home and cultivate crops.

We stopped here because I am absolutely fascinated by Homesteaders. Imagine leaving everything you knew and every bit of family and support you had, and going to a whole new world – sometimes when you didn’t even know the language of the population. If this parking lot (from the 4 yellow circles) is an acre, imagine getting 160 of these and being solely responsible for turning it into a working farm!

And this wasn’t forever ago, the last homesteader was Ken Deardorff who acquired a 50-acre homestead claim in 1974. He submitted his paperwork in 1979, and in true government style, he received the title to his land in 1988… 9 years later 🤦🏼‍♀️

Outside the museum was a replica of a family homestead. Imagine living here with a whole family and traveling by wagon?

And again with these three ♥️

We left the Homestead and headed for Lincoln. Other than being the capital of Nebraska and home to the University of Nebraska, we really didn’t know what we were going to do in Lincoln. But it turns out that the downtown area is really cool. We checked into the hotel, and found a brazillian steakhouse, Rodizio Grill, with great reviews online. We also appreciated that we called to check and see if there was a dresscode, the guy asked if we were wearing socks and shoes? Um yes. Then you’re good enough for us 😆

Rodizio was fantastic. We paid per person – sort of an all you can eat buffet style – except that after you fix your plate of sides like salads, side dishes, fruit and soups, servers walk around with skewers of meat. You put this little knocker on Green if you want them to come cut meat at your table, red if your taking a break and laying on its side when ready for dessert.

With these two, we definitely came out ahead on this cost per person thing 🤣

After dinner, we explored downtown Lincoln a bit. It is definitely a college town city – a little artsy and eclectic, but with a conservative undertone? Like a “let’s get crazy, but I still gotta go to work tomorrow” mentality 😉

Pretty great day to have had very little planned. Tomorrow, we start the day at the Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum at the University of Nebraska! Can you guess who is the most excited of the Browns? 🚜♥️🚜♥️

Up and at ’em early this morning to get the first tour of Arrowwood/Arrowhead Stadium, and wow! It was so worth it! Michael Brown is a huge Chiefs fan, so this was his morning. Even Leo said maybe he would pull for the Chiefs now… as long as they aren’t playing the Saints 🏈😉

Tour guide Mike did not move fast but we saw it all in our 2 hour tour. We started outside with statue of Lamar Hunt who along with other investors paid $50,000 each to create the American Football League. They said they were really foolish to invest that kind of money, and the press dubbed them the Foolish Club, a name that stuck forever.

Then we headed up to the luxury suites… complete with private bathrooms and a fireplace. Because how could you bear to watch a game without a fireplace 🥴

From the suites, we headed down to the field. Arrowhead Stadium is covered with these plastic locking squares. These cover the turf/sand for off-season concerts and summer events. At the end of summer, the panels are removed and Bermuda Sod is rolled out for a season of Football.

The benefit of the plastic panels being there is that we got to go right onto the field!

From the field, we went to the Chiefs Hall of Fame where there are replicas of the players’ busts from Canton. We were especially impresssed with Derrick Thomas whose father died in Vietnam when he was baby and who worked to support Vietnam Vets and their families.

Pretty great Photo ops too

This kid was just in his element today… Especially when Tour Guide Mike let the boys try on his Super Bowl Ring!

But oh, the best was yet to come… The tunnel and locker room! We actually were right where Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes get ready on Sundays. So when we watch the games, we can say “We were RIGHT THERE!”

And then the Tunnel!

Leo found a reference to his Saints too

Arrowhead also had a section on the east side of stadium for the Missouri State High School Football Championships, and on the west side for the Kansas State High School Football Champions. How cool to be in high school and have your team picture up in Arrowhead stadium.

Great Day!

Tour Guide Mike suggested we go explore Union Station and the World War I Monument and Memorial. Kansas City Union Station was just as beautiful as St Louis’ Union Station. Must be a rule!

We took the sky bridge over to Center City and grabbed street tacos for lunch, and then explored a bit. They had several specialty stores – toys, ice cream, and cupcakes!

Then we headed over to the World War I Memorial and Museum. The Musuem was so well done, with several documentaries explained the world prior to, during and at the moment the United States joined the fight.

We especially liked this cottonwood tree’s sign that said “Please do not climb on me. I am old. That is why I have a crutch. If they see you climbing on me, they will cut off my arm. So please, no climbing but hugs are okay.” So we had to oblige. 🥰

I have especially loved catching these moments during this trip. When they are goofing around, and just happy together.

Mike even found the vehicle similar to what his Great Uncle would have driven in World War I.

Before we headed back to the hotel, we decided to look into the Lego store… of course when we saw the 20% markup versus WalMart and Amazon, we decided to wait and order.

We headed back to the hotel to rest for an hour or so before heading off to see the Kansas City Royals play. It was Dollar Dog Day and Free Halter Top Night (I’m totally Serious 🤣), so dinner definitely didn’t break the bank tonight, and you can’t go to a ballpark and not have a hotdog! ⚾️

The game was great – 0-0 until the bottom of the 8th, when the Royals scored! But then, in the top of the 9th, the Cleveland Guardians came back and end up winning 2-1. Oh well, not really our team, but a great end to a great day!

Tomorrow, we head into Kansas and then Nebraska so we’ve got a bit of driving, but I feel certain we will find a few interesting stops along the way.

No trip to St. Louis would be complete without a trip to The Arch.

We started our visit with the museum tour and then the documentary movie. The musuem covered the birth of St Louis from Indian land, Spanish occupancy, French occupancy and then the formation of America.

The Arch was built from 1962 to 1965 and is a testament to the American Spirit, and just downright fearlessness! Watching the builders lean on the edge without any harnesses or safety equipment! We were getting woozy just watching the movie. After the movie, Mike headed back into the museum and the boys and I headed up into the Arch.

We climbed in Tram Car #5 and up up up we went. Four minutes up in a rather small car, and we made it to the top!

We made it all the way to the top – 631 feet! We were closed in and it was unsettling… so to be that high and then to imagine those workers who built the Arch 😳😬

We made our way down, stopped in the gift shop, and headed out to get some outside pictures. It was a beautiful day and we had fun goofing with the camera.

We picked up the car from the hotel and started making our way to Jefferson City and then on to Kansas City. We decided to stay off the interstates so we could see some of the small towns along the way.

We grabbed lunch in Washington, Missouri at the 1869 Tavern. The food was delicious and we met a nice couple who spent some time in Greenville, NC before his retirement. They gave us some great ideas about places to visit on our trip.

As we left, I wanted to get one more picture. To which, Michael replied “we almost made it” LOL – and then they died laughing!🤣

Apparently once their bellies were full, excitement of vacation caught up with the boys.

We traveled to Jefferson City, and walked a bit around the capital which was beautiful, and inscribed with the state motto “Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto” which means let the welfare of the people be the supreme law.

We made it to Kansas City, checked in and enjoyed relaxing a bit and watching the final College World Series Game. We headed out to grab some Kansas City Barbeque at Q39. Again, awesome food! If we don’t do anything else, we always eat well. 🤣

Tomorrow we start the day off with some Football and end the day with Baseball… Pretty much a perfect Boy day!🏈⚾️

Five States…

Two Parents…

Two Teenagers…

And 14 days of good ol’ fashioned family fun!

We have prepped, planned, scheduled and booked. We are ready to start our next adventure! We’ve recorded oh so many videos for Charlotte Stewart who is watching the garden, chickens and pool for us. Sampson is at Abbott’s Groom and Board, and we are ready to go.

Day One started early… like up before 6am, out the door by 6:30am and at the airport by 7am early. But sandwiching vacation between Michael’s camp (last week) and Leo’s camp (the week we get back), means we have to maximize every single day – including today. We had to get going early to have a whole day first day to tour St Louis… and we did 😉

When you wake up before 6am, travel 500 miles to Philadelphia by 9:15am, and have a 2-hour layover your eating schedule does get slightly off kilter. Smashburgers at 10:15am – yep, makes sense.

Back in the air, a couple of hours and a rough landing later, we are in St Louis, Missouri – state number 34!

Rental car, check! and off we go. Initially our room wasn’t quite ready so after a change of clothes in the car, we were ready to explore St Louis. After a bit of a hiccup with an Uber, we were able to get in our room… seems like they were happy to have a moment to be still.

Since we were flying today, we were a little afraid to book anything definite, so we had a whole afternoon/evening to explore. We have tickets for the Arch tomorrow, and today decided to explore Union Station. St. Louis was known as the Gateway to the West, and that was evidenced by the first train to pull into Union Station in 1894. It was one of the largest and busiest terminal in the world for a while, seeing more than 100,000 passengers per day. Remember the photo of President Truman holding the paper that said “Dewey defeats Truman” – that was Union Station.

The last train departed in 1978, and within 7 years the Grand Hall and Midway were transformed into mixed use facilities. Union Station is now a hotel, and is absolutely breathtaking!

Where the trains came and went, there is now an aquarium, carousel, the Giant Wheel of St Louis, and mini golf, as well as food trucks, restaurants, ice cream parlor and lagoon with fire and water show. And we tried them all (except the aquarium… if I’m going to pay $35 per person to see fish, I need Shamu to be there.)

Dinner was Landry’s Seafood House – fantastic food and service. We loved our hostess who summed up the world’s problems: “90% of the population is stuck on stupid.” So far, Missourians seem like our kind of people.

Bellies very full and eyes very heavy, we decided to turn in early. Boys walked down to the pool but decided they were just too tired to swim. (For them to admit that means they are truly wiped out).

Tomorrow we visit The Arch and begin exploring Missouri