Odyssey Through Nebraska

The past always tells a story.

For Merrick County Historical Museum director, Schavon Cordsen, the exhibits and displays connect to her own past. Including the box that used to hold her family's mail - the facade from the Archer County post office. She is passionate about preserving the history of her home county. Her efforts and the community support are evident everywhere in this museum that reopened at a brand new location recently.

For me personally, I worked at Timberlake Ranch Camps, which is just outside Central City, when I was in college. I remember driving across the one lane wooden bridge at night. That bridge was destroyed by vandalism in 1999. This is another reminder as to why capturing history is so important - so that memories can live on. The panoramic painting revives those moments.

Throughout the museum, one can be drawn into the takes of others. One piece that caught my attention was the notebook that told all about the prior owners of the red velvet coach. What a great way to share family stories.

While we all took a tour on the day of our Central City trip, I am SO glad that I went to the museum a day early. A big thank you to Schavon for showing me around and for telling me more about this wonderful museum! I can't wait to come back! The remaining pictures show some of my favorite displays (including the painting done by one of my favorite artists !) I will be telling you more about Merrick County history in the weeks and months to come. Have you been to this museum yet? What's your favorite part?

Heading to Omaha? Explore in a meaningful way!

This weekend is the unofficial start to summer! 🌞🥳 🎶 Use this Omaha Summer Bingo Card to fill in the blanks on those days when you can't think of anything to do.

Find details on all these events, exhibits, shows and more --> https://ohmyomaha.com/events/

Small town murals add so much heart to the community! I look forward to seeing this one when it is completed! Do you have any favorite murals?

Eek! Our mural has started!!! Can’t wait to see it progress!

Guess what tomorrow is?

If Mother's Day does not immediately come to mind, you NEED this post! If you procrastinated and do not already have something for your mom, I have a solution for you! Tell your mom that you want to spend time with her so much that you blocked out the afternoon just for her!

Take a leisurely drive out to Wild Roots Greenhouse just outside of Central City. They are open until 4. You can meander through several shelters full of flowers. She can pick out her dream plants. And you will look like the best child ever. Time together and beauty for your mom that will continue to grow.

I have been to several green houses. But I was quite impressed with their selection of plants that are grown on site. I hope to return out there this summer to fill in some of the places in my garden that need to flourish more!

So many fun opportunities for kids!

This thrift store is legendary!

Sometimes salad feels like a consolation prize.
But as you can tell from the picture, that was not the case for me yesterday.

Prairie Creek Vineyard & Winery in Central City, Nebraska, hosted the travel writers for lunch yesterday. They served us a custom chicken Mexican salad. (Perhaps this is a lunch menu offering. I couldn't necessarily find it on their menu.) Honestly, it was probably one of the best salads that I've ever had.

In case you were wondering, Prairie Creek not only runs a magnificent restaurant, but they also grow most of the grapes that go into their local wines. No, we didn't sample any flavors at lunch. (Which was probably good as we would have all needed naps and not been up for all of the afternoon adventures!) But they did send home a bottle of their most popular kind, the Red Stiletto, in our welcome gift baskets. I look forward to enjoying it sometime on a date night at home with my husband.

Speaking of date nights, I definitely want to go back to this restaurant and order off the menu. They are located just over an hour from our house. The perfect amount of time to unwind and have great conversation before we can enjoy a great dinner together. My Kyle - We are putting it on the calendar for this summer! 😍😍

They open today at 1:00 p.m. So if I have made you hungry, you have just enough time to make it there for a late lunch if you live in my part of Nebraska. Thank you for hosting us yesterday, Prairie Creek Winery! I loved getting to hear your story.

Hours
Tuesdays 4–9 PM
Wednesdays 4–9 PM
Thursdays 4–9 PM
Fridays 4–9 PM
Saturdays 1-9 PM

Part of the fun of spending an official day in Central City yesterday with connecting with familiar friends that I have been travel writing alongside for a long time: Kim, Sara plus Tim and Lisa. But it was also fun making new friends. I love how Seth and his wife, Eliese, are taking travel to a whole new level. This is such a great story.
https://youtu.be/EK6w5ZUx_ts?si=zNGv44Vn0D2R6yXR

Never thought I would see my face on a cup of coffee.

This was just one of the cool things at 1 to 1 technologies in Central City. While many places may offer you a cup of coffee ☕, We had our pick of a custom-made latte or cappuccino. This is just one of the perks that they offer their members. Some of the other benefits include networking spaces in soundproof booths, tech support, advanced troubleshooting and more.

Give them a call at 402-218-4067 to find out more details. They could be the hosting company that you have been looking for!

Day 2 in Central City was packed full of joy.

Touring parts of


The trails
The state theatre
1 to 1 technologies

And back to the Merrick County Historical Museum.
This is only a small glimpse of my time in Central City!

I can't wait to share more in the days and weeks to come!

What a happy May Day!



PS My shirt was purchased yesterday