Day 1 - Toronto to Chesterton IN
Day 2 - Chesterton IN to Rochester MN
Day 3 - Rochester MN to Lincoln NE
September 8
The city was founded in 1856 as the village of Lancaster on the wild salt marshes of what was to become Lancaster County. In 1867, the village of Lancaster became Nebraska's state capital and was renamed Lincoln.
We left the hotel around 8:45 to explore a little of Lincoln and find breakfast.
The Capitol.
What a find Down the Rabbit Hole was one of the best coffee shops ever, independant with homemade goodies including gluten free!
On our way we saw hearts and learned it is the 150th anniversary of Nebraska and the hearts were scattered around town as Hearts for Nebraska.
Walking around the Haymarket.
The "Haymarket" name can be traced to Lincoln's first decade. In the original plat of Lincoln of 1867, a "Market Square" was designated between O and P Streets from 9th to 10th. That square was an open-air market for produce and livestock, as well as a camping ground for immigrants and a general gathering place. Wagons and animals thronged Market Square, along with land sharks, tin-horn gamblers, and the other denizens of a pioneer town.
We wanted to see the Gallery Alley. More murals to see.
Artfully ATM.
The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad's first train arrived in Lincoln on June 26, 1870, soon to be followed by the Midland Pacific in 1871 and the Atchison and Nebraska in 1872. The Union Pacific began service in 1877. The Chicago and North Western and Missouri Pacific began service in 1886. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific extended service to Lincoln in 1892. Lincoln became a rail center hub.
Once we saw the signs for an orignial pony express station we had to go into Gothenburg!
Gothenburg is home to two Original Pony Express Stations. The Sam Machette Station is located in a beautiful city park/arboretum. The station was moved to its current location in 1931 after it was donated by Mrs. C.A. Williams. It was opened to the public in the early 1950's after a couple teenagers noticed tourists stopping to peer into it's windows, they approached City Council with a request to open a gift shop inside the station andwere granted approval.
This was a delightful free museum with a very informed volunteer, a local woman, who provided a lot of interesting information.
The busy crossroads of the Eisenhower Memorial Interstate System (I-80), and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Highway (Highway 83), is the appropriate location of the 20th Century Veterans Memorial. The five major armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard) as well as the volunteers of the North Platte Canteen are memorialized by larger than life bronze statues. The five major conflicts of the 20th century (World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm) are depicted in a fifteen foot tall brick bas-relief mural. The memorial features a Walk of Honor, lined by thousands of commemorative bricks showing the names of veterans who served at any time during the 20th century.
We cross into Colorado.
We head into Denver, rush hour Friday. It is obvious this area is being rejuvinated.
The Curtis by DoubleTree Hilton is set right in the heart of the city, the famous 16th Street pedestrian mall, Capitol building and 40 restaurants are within walking distance.
The Curtis Hotel has twelve pop culture themed floors; TV Mania Floor, Game Show Floor, One Hit Wonders, Chick Flicks, Dance Floor, Horror Movie Floor!
he Dance Floor, one of the twelve Pop-Culture themed floors.
This Gold Prospector statue is 12 feet tall and made of copper. The "Old Prospector" was created by Alphonse Pelzer in 1891. The statue was modeled after John William Straughn. It was originally installed on top of the Mining Exchange Building. It was moved to street level around 1963 when the building was demolished.
Day is done.
Day 2 - Chesterton IN to Rochester MN
Day 3 - Rochester MN to Lincoln NE
September 8
The city was founded in 1856 as the village of Lancaster on the wild salt marshes of what was to become Lancaster County. In 1867, the village of Lancaster became Nebraska's state capital and was renamed Lincoln.
The Capitol.
What a find Down the Rabbit Hole was one of the best coffee shops ever, independant with homemade goodies including gluten free!
On our way we saw hearts and learned it is the 150th anniversary of Nebraska and the hearts were scattered around town as Hearts for Nebraska.
Walking around the Haymarket.
The "Haymarket" name can be traced to Lincoln's first decade. In the original plat of Lincoln of 1867, a "Market Square" was designated between O and P Streets from 9th to 10th. That square was an open-air market for produce and livestock, as well as a camping ground for immigrants and a general gathering place. Wagons and animals thronged Market Square, along with land sharks, tin-horn gamblers, and the other denizens of a pioneer town.
We wanted to see the Gallery Alley. More murals to see.
Artfully ATM.
The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad's first train arrived in Lincoln on June 26, 1870, soon to be followed by the Midland Pacific in 1871 and the Atchison and Nebraska in 1872. The Union Pacific began service in 1877. The Chicago and North Western and Missouri Pacific began service in 1886. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific extended service to Lincoln in 1892. Lincoln became a rail center hub.
Once we saw the signs for an orignial pony express station we had to go into Gothenburg!
Gothenburg is home to two Original Pony Express Stations. The Sam Machette Station is located in a beautiful city park/arboretum. The station was moved to its current location in 1931 after it was donated by Mrs. C.A. Williams. It was opened to the public in the early 1950's after a couple teenagers noticed tourists stopping to peer into it's windows, they approached City Council with a request to open a gift shop inside the station andwere granted approval.
This was a delightful free museum with a very informed volunteer, a local woman, who provided a lot of interesting information.
This was a magnificent memorial! More to come.
We cross into Colorado.
We head into Denver, rush hour Friday. It is obvious this area is being rejuvinated.
The Curtis by DoubleTree Hilton is set right in the heart of the city, the famous 16th Street pedestrian mall, Capitol building and 40 restaurants are within walking distance.
he Dance Floor, one of the twelve Pop-Culture themed floors.
We are on the 9th floor - Big Hair
Walking the pedestrian mall, we've been to many cities but the vibe didn't work for us. We live in a big city with more people than Denver and don't get this feeling. So so many homeless, so many crazies, people at any moment run across the street. We saw this as drivers and as pedestrians.
Dressed for work?
D&F Tower (Daniels & Fisher), one of 16th Street’s most distinctive buildings. When it was completed in 1910, this was the highest building west of the Mississippi River. It is modeled after The Campanile (St. Mark’s Bell Tower) at the Piazza San Marco in Venice and its four clocks (one for each side with bells) are a whopping 16 feet high. So if you’re caught without a watch, just look up. The Tower was built to house one of Denver's largest early 19th century department stores. Today, the basement of the D&F Tower has been renovated into Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, an entertainment venue.
Walking the pedestrian mall, we've been to many cities but the vibe didn't work for us. We live in a big city with more people than Denver and don't get this feeling. So so many homeless, so many crazies, people at any moment run across the street. We saw this as drivers and as pedestrians.
Dressed for work?
This Gold Prospector statue is 12 feet tall and made of copper. The "Old Prospector" was created by Alphonse Pelzer in 1891. The statue was modeled after John William Straughn. It was originally installed on top of the Mining Exchange Building. It was moved to street level around 1963 when the building was demolished.
Day is done.
Marvelous shots!
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