Indian Cave state park is a major must see when in Nebraska. With 20 miles or more of hiking/ bike trails, and an area to bring your horse to ride, or you could even rent a horse for a guided tour, adventure seems to be…Read More

Indian Cave state park is a major must see when in Nebraska. With 20 miles or more of hiking/ bike trails, and an area to bring your horse to ride, or you could even rent a horse for a guided tour, adventure seems to be around every corner.

  If Wildlife viewing suits your fancy, there are wild turkeys, Deer, Hummingbirds, eagles, cranes, and other types of wildlife to be seen. I think you may even catch a glimpse or two of a wild child.

  They frequently have living history programs for the visitor to the park. Indian cave state park is at the site of a long forgotten fur trappers settlement. You may stroll among the headstones at the two historic cemeteries inside the park, or take a lesson or two from the Blacksmith at the log cabin. If broom making sounds interesting take a shot at it when you stop by the general store.

The park rangers are knowledgeable and very very friendly, always willing to help point you in the right direction.

If heights don't bother you take a walk out the boardwalk to the viewing deck and catch a glimpse of the breathtaking views of the Missouri River Basin from atop the trees.

After you are done taking a gander at the river, head on down to the Indian cave at the far end of the park where you will find a stair way that leads you to the cave. Inside the Cave you will have the chance to search for petroglyphs carved into the walls. Farther up the stair case is a chimney, that historians believe the Indians used for cooking their food. It truly is a must see.

Make sure you check out the museum inside the park. And try your hand at camping in the park. Bring a hummingbird feeder to help attract the already plentiful hummingbirds into your camp.

If camping isn't your thing, you can always stay in a hotel in nearby Fall City, Nebraska.

Make sure you check this one out!Close

Well, the orchard was just an apple orchard, but the Barn, now that was something else. Not your average barn, this is an Apple Barn, set up to receive visitors and sell the wares from the orchard. There is a demonstration on the…Read More

Well, the orchard was just an apple orchard, but the Barn, now that was something else. Not your average barn, this is an Apple Barn, set up to receive visitors and sell the wares from the orchard. There is a demonstration on the making of cider and the equipment used to do this is open for display. Also, there is a display hive of bees and information on the making of honey. There is nothing more succulent than to take a waxy chunk of hive dripping with sweet honey into your mouth, savoring its delights while watching this little living creature obliviously labor away.

Fall is a great time of year to visit the Apple Barn.Close

The aquarium at Henry Doorly is another magnificent exhibit. The feature of this aquarium that I was absolutely fascinated with was the tunnel-like viewing area that allowed one to see the sharks and other fish seemingly from inside the water. This is a very popular…Read More

The aquarium at Henry Doorly is another magnificent exhibit. The feature of this aquarium that I was absolutely fascinated with was the tunnel-like viewing area that allowed one to see the sharks and other fish seemingly from inside the water.

This is a very popular attraction and is most often crowded. I found that the noise of the ooo's and ah's and other such exlamations of wonder echoed within the confines of the tunnel and were quite distracting. Other than this annoyance, I could have stood for hours watching the fish swim over and around me.Close

One of the main problems with Henry Doorly was always the parking. The zoo is located within the city of Omaha and has quite a small parking lot. As long as there were no activities going on at Rosenblat Stadium, which sits next…Read More

One of the main problems with Henry Doorly was always the parking. The zoo is located within the city of Omaha and has quite a small parking lot. As long as there were no activities going on at Rosenblat Stadium, which sits next to the zoo, that parking area was available for zoo visitors. This greatly expanded parking possibilities. I do believe that some solutions for this problem were in the works.

On a positive note - parking is free.Close

The rainforest/jungle exhibit at Henry Doorly Zoo is magnificent. Entirely enclosed within a building, trails wander through various rainforest habitats. There are waterfalls, pools, caves and jungles. When entering the rainforest you are at the top level with exhibits at the same…Read More

The rainforest/jungle exhibit at Henry Doorly Zoo is magnificent. Entirely enclosed within a building, trails wander through various rainforest habitats. There are waterfalls, pools, caves and jungles. When entering the rainforest you are at the top level with exhibits at the same level as you on the right and a wide open arena to the left. The trail eventually wanders down into the lower level. All along the way are birds, monkeys and other rainforest animals. Taking a leisurely pace this part of the zoo can take upwards to two hours to work your way through.Close

The wildlife drive at DeSoto Bend is always an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. There are about 12 miles of roads that go along the Missouri River and DeSoto Lake as well as through woods and grasslands. The drive should be taken at a…Read More

The wildlife drive at DeSoto Bend is always an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. There are about 12 miles of roads that go along the Missouri River and DeSoto Lake as well as through woods and grasslands.

The drive should be taken at a leisurely pace. Eagles nest in the refuge from November to March. Statistics say that as many as 120 eagles have been found in the refuge at one time, but the most I saw in one day was about 8.

The Bertrand is a steamboat that sank in the muddy Missouri sometime during the 1860's. It was discovered within the confines of the DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in 1968. The artifacts from the hull have been removed and are currently housed in…Read More

The Bertrand is a steamboat that sank in the muddy Missouri sometime during the 1860's. It was discovered within the confines of the DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in 1968. The artifacts from the hull have been removed and are currently housed in the Visitors Center, but the hull itself remains in the pond where it was found. There are displays on the site explaining the excavation and the historical significance of steamboat travel on the Missouri during the settlement period of the country.

The Bertrand Trail is 2/5ths of a mile and runs through marsh and grassland. It's a pleasant little walk that explores the old Missouri river channel.

Hilly and wooded, Schramm Park overlooks the Platte River. It is a place for camping, hiking or simply having a leisurely picnic. Deer can often be seen in the park from the hiking trails. There is a play area with swings and other playground…Read More

Hilly and wooded, Schramm Park overlooks the Platte River. It is a place for camping, hiking or simply having a leisurely picnic. Deer can often be seen in the park from the hiking trails.

There is a play area with swings and other playground equipment for the young ones.

My favorite spot for having a picnic was at the top of a long hill in a shelter that overlooked the Platte River. I loved to sit and listen to the rustle of the wind in the trees while gazing out upon the wide, peaceful river.Close

Just outside Schramm Park is a bluff with exposed limestone, evidence of a one-time inland sea. Being a fossil lover, my husband and I would often stop at this bluff and collect rocks replete with samples of ancient sea creatures. Clam and scallop…Read More

Just outside Schramm Park is a bluff with exposed limestone, evidence of a one-time inland sea. Being a fossil lover, my husband and I would often stop at this bluff and collect rocks replete with samples of ancient sea creatures. Clam and scallop shaped fossils are plentiful in this area.Close