The Big Boy and other marvels of Nebraska

It's been a full day!

We started with a short trip to Lincoln to see the Nebraska state capitol. They offered a wonderful tour of the building with a guide to the artwork and other architectural features. The building is the second-highest towered state capitol building (behind Louisiana) and the only state government to use a unicameral legislature.

Though completed in 1932, much of the artwork was added later due to the desire to conserve funds to be used in other ways during the depression.

When driving to Lincoln, we noticed a charming chapel on a hill along the interstate. I wanted to take a detour when we returned to explore it.  It is the Holy Family Shrine. Besides the chapel, there are meditative stations along the path representing the stations of the cross. There is also a garden with butterflies so thick they nearly fly up your nose. Through the welcome center, the path to the chapel and the chapel itself, there is flowing water over rock paths offering both a visual and auditory cue of the peaceful presence of the place. It's a lovely facility!

We returned to Omaha and after lunch, went to the exhibition of the Union Pacific Railway Big Boy.
(Thanks to Karl Knapp for making sure I was aware of this coinciding vacation opportunity.) I'm telling you this locomotive is a beast! Debby was kind enough to offer height context with the wheels. She's 5'3" and standing a little lower than the track. The wheel towers above her head.

After enjoying this engineering spectacle (pun intended), we went to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Debby needed a break from outside and walking so she enjoyed the Lewis and Clark exhibit hall while I walked across the bridge. I stood astride 2 states -- Nebraska and Iowa.

We're pooped, but it was a great day and the Omaha/Lincoln area is really nice. I may have to come back the next time the Tarheels make it to the College Baseball World Series, which is held here.