Our travels through Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota today included some nice variety. Our stop at Kenefick Park with its massive locomotives gave us the excuse of studying the transcontinental railroad earlier this summer. Some day I’d like to read Ambrose’s Nothing Like It in the World.
Locomotives at Kenefick Park, Omaha, Nebraska
Youth pastor Jake recommended a Lewis and Clark site on the “bluffs” from which came the name “Council Bluffs.” This provided a great view of the Missouri River and the city of Omaha.
Lewis and Clark Monument Park near Council Bluffs, Iowa
Our littlest trooper
Our second Lewis and Clark site of the day was a hike to “Spirit Mound,” an elevated hill in the middle of plains. This is one of the few places where scholars know for sure that Lewis and Clark stood exactly. (Yes, I felt here a bit like some Holy Land pilgrims, searching for the very place.)
The kids on the trail to Spirit Mound
In preparing for our trip, we checked out a video at the library on South Dakota. When they mentioned the Ingalls Homestead, we knew we ‘d have a disappointed daughter if we didn’t visit the childhood home of the author of Little House on the Prairie.
Climbing the viewing tower at the Ingalls Homestead. Hey, wait for me!
Bethany has been wanting to ride a horse for a long time.
This scene probably looked pretty similar a hundred years ago when Laura Ingalls lived here.
Read the reviews before you buy the book.