Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Sightseeing and A Movie

(Offutt AFB, NE) Hi 92 Lo 76 -- It was very windy but even though it was in the 90's it wasn't too bad because the humidity wasn't real high. I can breathe ok, which means it’s less humid. So far we like this area - for a visit.

We wanted to get a look at downtown Omaha, so we left about 11am for the 12-mile drive. The first thing we noticed was how easy it is to get around town. It seems well laid out, the buildings are old but very well maintained. I should have been an architect, I love to look at the designs of buildings, especially older ones.
I was surprised how hilly it is here. I was expecting flatter terrain like in Indiana and Illinois.

Here’s a couple views around town.
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We just happened to come upon Old Market Place, with brick streets, and lots of beautiful old brick buildings. Lots of eating and shopping (and drinking) places.
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St. Cecilia's Cathedral. We saw the two large towers from a distance so we decided to hunt it down.
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We saw this large cemetery, and I couldn't pass it by without driving through. I love looking through cemeteries.
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One of Jim's favorite people is billionaire Warren Buffett, who lives in Omaha. Jim read his biography a couple of years ago, and he knew that he lives in the same house in Omaha that he bought in the 1950's. We searched it out, thanks to some internet research. It sure doesn't look like the home of a guy who has $40 billion. It's in a very ordinary looking neighborhood just west of downtown. Buffett says he's never felt the need for a larger home. You gotta love that!

His house sits on a corner, and we're thinking this is the side of it. We had to grab a quick pic; we didn't want to get arrested for stalking. :)














After our driving tour of Omaha we stopped at Famous Dave’s BBQ for lunch. It was great! It was funny, all their BBQ was from St. Louis or Georgia or Texas, and none from Nebraska. We jokingly mentioned that to our waitress and she said Nebraska's known for steaks, not BBQ. I didn’t hold that against them.
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This was sitting by our table
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The whole place was full of artifacts from my younger days.
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We timed our day's activities so we had time to go see a movie on the way home. We saw Prometheus, a combination sci-fi/horror movie, with a little of the "deeper meaning of life" of 2001 A Space Odyssey thrown in. We both enjoyed it. The special effects were amazing!
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We needed a few groceries so we found a grocery store called Baker’s. It’s neat to see the different local brands of stores as we travel. We bought an already-cooked roast chicken for dinner tonight. We're looking forward to moving on tomorrow. We just hope the wind dies down some.

7 comments:

Jim and Sandie said...

I've never thought of Nebraska as hilly. Now the wind, yes, but not hills. Our son's wedding rehearsal dinner is this Friday night at Dave's. Love that place.

Unknown said...

We also saw Prometheus on Sunday and enjoyed it. That is what my husband wanted to do for Fathers' Day. I think it is definitely some sort of Pre-quel for the Alien movie series.

Mike and Terri said...

We both like Famous Dave's, that's good eatin' there. Omaha looks interesting, especially that cemetery. See ya soon!

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Karen and Al said...

Since I spent most of my teenage years there, your post brought back so many memories.

I remember Bakers supermarket and I remember going to the Old Market as a teen. It was a hippie hangout back then and not a place my parents would have wanted me to be (if they had only known)

A good friend's father owned Cascio's steak house. I imagine he still does. It used to be a great place.

Stellas doesn't look anything like it used to. It was a dumpy old bar, when Stella used to work there. My father in law used to joke that the burgers were so good because Stella pattied the burgers under her armpits.

I also remember the base lake. First attempt at sailing was there (not successful)

Jim said...

Kenefick Park overlooking the river is fun. There are two locomotives on display from the Union Pacific

Elaine said...

I also love the old architecture...New Orleans and Charleston were fab also...you are sure covering territory folks...enjoy

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