The agreement was to share the driving and be on the road as soon as we had breakfast. Following I80 the first stop was at ‘World’s Largest Truck Stop’ on I80. After visiting Buc’ees in Texas we had high hopes about this well known tourist attraction but Buc’ees definitely have the upper hand. It was large and if you were a trucker it must be heaven and the range of accessories for your truck is outstanding.
There is a dentist, chiropractor, t.v rooms, rest areas, dog wash as well as souvenirs, food and a large choice of coffees. It was worth the break of the journey and we filled up for the first time to make sure we had enough fuel for the 300 miles across Iowa. Another stop at the Outlets at Williamsburg IA and something to eat and then the long stretch into Council Bluffs on the banks of the Missouri River.
The hotel was located near the event centre MAC (Mid America Center) and the Horseshoe Casino. The states of Nebraska and Iowa are joined by road bridges as well as the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Located in a residential area on the Iowa side where there was street parking available and on the edge of a park and woodland. The site is dominated by a 33ft high humanoid made from aluminium foil looking up at the sky.
The bridge is approximately 3000 feet from start to finish and the middle of the river is marked on the floor with the states of Iowa and Nebraska. We stopped to take advantage of the photo op with one foot in each state.
So we walked into Omaha and decided that we would walk back to the car and drive into Omaha after all. We parked downtown by the Pioneer Courage Park. A series of sculptures dedicated to the trials and tribulations of families during the Western Expansion. It covers an area over 6 blocks.
Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and is also the hub for the states commerce and industry. It was around 18.00 hrs and there was nobody about, literally nobody.
There is a welcome to Omaha sign that is dominated by two Union Pacific engines, Centennial No. 6900 and Big Boy No. 4023 that we wanted to see. Parking was available at Kenefick Park with a 60 step hill to climb up to the locomotives and a view over the city which is stunning.
The only thing that isn’t clear and I mean really clear is that you can’t see the ‘Welcome to Omaha’ sign at all because you are above it and there is no apparent way of getting below it in order to take a picture. It seems to be only visible as you enter Omaha on the I80 crossing the Missouri River Bridge. As we descended the steps back to the car there was a break in the trees where there was a well trodden path that brought you out to the side of the sign but not the other side. We wondered why the park hadn’t made a proper path to the sign.
Still it left a challenge for day 3.
States 46 & 47 (Kenosha WI – Milwaukee WI – Chicago IL) Days 7 & 8
States 46 & 47 (Chicago IL – Kenosha WI) – Day 6
States 46 & 47 (Deerfield – Waukegan) – Day 5
States 46 & 47 (Altoona IA – Deerfield IL) – Day 4
USA Road Trips by Max 
As I intend to do more traveling, your blog will be a great resource to US travel!
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