USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” KANSAS

KANSAS: SUNFLOWER STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

 

People in general consider traveling as their personal interests.  Traveling can quickly become an interest simply because it is such an enjoyable experience. When you travel around the world and you will see a variety of different cultures and people.   There are two things to remember while traveling. The first thing is to be open-minded about people and their culture. The second thing and the most important, is to respect other cultures no matter how different. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!  

Overview of Kansas

Kansas occupies a prominent place in American history, though its status in pop culture is somewhat less distinguished. The state was a violent battleground between pro- and anti-slavery settlers during the 1850s, a period dubbed 'Bleeding Kansas'. The state also played a pivotal role in America's westward expansion, its string of frontier forts supporting the clashes of the Indian Wars of the 1860s. But as every American school kid knows, Kansas is perhaps most famous for the landmark ruling of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, which ended segregation in public schools.

Visitors can learn more about Kansas' history at the state's numerous historic sites, many of which have been designated national historic landmarks. Although the historical significance of the state may sound dull to some, Kansas actually has a delightfully colorful past, peopled by cowboys, pioneers, gunfighters and lawmen. It is home to Dodge City, the once-infamous 'Wickedest City of the West', which has been the setting of countless movies and television shows, including Gunsmoke. Even today, Kansas has a reputation for quirkiness. It is an odd place with miles of seemingly flat, empty terrain punctuated not only by serious historical monuments but also by attractions like the World's Largest Ball of Twine and the World's Largest Spinach Salad. While Kansas may not be the ideal holiday spot for some, it does have a lot to offer, and not only to history buffs.

Kansas' network of state parks and wildlife refuges comprises rolling hills and prairies, sand dunes, wildflowers, rivers and lakes, offering hunters, hikers, boaters, horseback riders and fishermen a wealth of options. Kansas isn't all rolling prairies though, and it has several major cities, all located in the eastern half of the state.

The largest city is Wichita, which has a population of under 400,000 and enough museums, shops, restaurants and attractions to entertain all comers. Topeka, though smaller, is the capital of Kansas and home to the Kansas State Historical Society Museum. The largest city in Kansas is the buzzing Kansas City, though the state can claim only the part of it west of the Mississippi River. Travelers should note that tornadoes regularly hit Kansas between April and June. Those travelling during this period should pay close attention to weather alerts.

 

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 

“When anything is going to happen in this country, it happens first in Kansas”
― William Allen White

 

Experience life travel with those you love!

 

 

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” NEBRASKA

NEBRASKA: THE CORNHUSKER STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Leisure travel is a wonderful experience that everyone should have in their lifetime. Even business travel can be made enjoyable. There are some aspects of travel that can detract from your enjoyment.  When planning to fly for a trip, don't forget any frequent flier miles you might have racked up. It does you no good to hang onto those once you've already gone on your big vacation. Even if you don't have enough miles to cover the whole trip, many airlines will allow you to discount your rate using your miles. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Look at the article below for a mesmerizing viewpoint on Nebraska.

 

Adventure Travel - Nebraska

By Lanette Higham  |   Submitted On May 20, 2010

Travel into Nebraska and you will find peace and quiet, where you can stare at the stars and let your imagination run. Adventure into Nebraska and discover, the largest planted forest in the country that is well over a hundred years old. Visit Platte River Valley and view the Sand hill Cranes by the hundreds. Tanking down the river in a water tank and let your cares float away.

A peaceful float down the Platte River river starting at the Platte River landing will take you past rocky buttes, sand bars full of wildlife and past old stands of hickory and cottonwood trees. 
Float down the river at about 5 miles per hour and just enjoy the views. Spend the night at one of the campsites at Platte River Landing or stay in North Bend the closest city in the area.

Discover Smith Falls State Park take a one mile hike to view Nebraska's largest waterfall. Just one of the short scenic discoveries you will find along the Scenic Sandhill Highway. Your adventure here will take you to the end of the Niobrara River. This area has one of the most diverse ecological areas in Nebraska and is a favorite with the locals.

An adventure into Niobrara River State Park you will find campgrounds and cabins in the area. The lodge serves up buffalo burgers with views of the river. Spend the day and take a horse ride along the trail or hike through the area and discover the wild birds along the way.

Traveling across Nebraska traveling along the Sandhill Scenic Highway it will remind you of the wave of the ocean in green. The grasslands here protect the dunes and provide habitat for wildlife and fowl. 
Stopping along the way and catching the way the wind gives the sea of grass motion will give you a feeling of times gone by.

If you are a history buff I recommend the Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway for eighty seven miles you will travel through historic Nebraska and discover what Lewis and Clark viewed as they searched for the Pacific Ocean.

Where ever your adventure travel takes you in Nebraska you will be pleasantly surprised and enjoy a unique experience.

For more Travel Tips visit my website at [http://searchforadventure.net]

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lanette_Higham/75735

     

Live Life, Have Fun and Travel Often!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” NEBRASKA

NEBRASKA: THE CORNHUSKER STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

We seem to be experiencing a lot of rain this summer in our country.  Some people might be put off by the rain when it comes to taking a vacation and think that there is not much to do in the rain. However, if you are going to vacation in a city, rain or not there is so much to do. You can visit places you have not seen before museums, arcades, shopping malls, theaters, restaurants and movies for new experiences. So do not be put off by rain enjoy new sights on your vacations. When you need to plan a vacation contact me!

Lincoln " The Star City"

Lincoln, Neb., voted “Bests All Cities in Wellbeing in 2012” by a Gallup poll. Lincoln is an up-and-coming and safe city of 250,000 people that has many of the cultural and entertainment benefits of a much larger city, with the feel of a friendly Midwestern community. There is more parkland in Lincoln, Nebraska than anywhere else with the most parkland per capita in the nation, an extensive (and growing) bike trail network, many and diverse employment opportunities and a low cost of living, Lincoln is one of the fastest growing metro areas in the Midwest. Lincoln also has a flourishing business community and is the home of Nebraska's state government. Lincoln boasts a highly educated workforce that is very attractive to business expansion and new business development. Lincoln also has a growing technology sector. Agriculture and manufacturing are also key employers. Lincoln voters in May 2009 approved construction of a sports arena and an expansion of an adjacent retail and entertainment center. The Nebraska Innovation Campus promises new tech sector jobs in the future.

Lincoln Children's Zoo

1222 S. 27th St

Lincoln, NE

27th & B Sts - Featuring up-close viewing of more than 400 animals with the child's eye view in mind. See Humboldt penguins, Amur leopards, Dromedary camels, river otters, eagles, crocodiles, lemurs and several species of primates. One-third of the animals are threatened or endangered species. Visit The Hive and Critter Encounter to experience firsthand interaction with living things. Watch as butterflies and moths emerge from their cocoon state in the Butterfly Pavilion, open June-Sep. Botanical gardens are woven among all the exhibits and feature annuals, perennials, herbs and 50 types of trees.

Nebraska History Museum

131 Centennial Mall N.

Lincoln, NE

15th & P Sts - Permanent exhibits interpret more than 12,000 years of human experience on the Plains. American Indian gallery, The First Nebraskans, Nebraska Joins the Union, Building the State, period setting and special collections. Changing exhibits on special aspects of Nebraska history. The Investigation Station is a hands-on room for kids.

Ager Play Center

1300 S. 27th S

Lincoln, NE

1300 S. 27th St - Play space for small children, toddlers and all ages. Reading area, 2-level play structure, 3 ball pits, slides and a maze of tunnels. We also have riding toys and wagons. Children must be 3 yrs or older and under 48 tall to play in the structure.

Burkholder Project

719 P St

Lincoln, NE

719 P St - Located in the Historic Haymarket District, this unique collection includes 36 art studios, loft apartments and 3 levels of galleries. Watch artists as they work, learn about a variety of art forms and browse through the galleries. Open year-round,

Champions Fun Center

1555 Yolande Ave

Lincoln, NE

15th St & Cornhusker Hwy - There is so much to do at Champions that people of all ages will have tons of fun! Try the four-story free fall, a thrilling ride sure to make the bravest of souls scream, or take part in a water war, the ultimate water balloon competition. Get rolling with some bowling or play for prizes in our huge arcade. Speed to the finish line in a sporty NASCAR-style go-kart, take a crack at our batting cages, swing through 18 holes of miniature golf, play our adventure challenge and so much more.

Fairview, the Bryan Museum

BryanLGH Medical Center, 49th & Sumner Sts

Lincoln, NE

BryanLGH Medical Center, 49th & Sumner Sts - Historic residence of William Jennings Bryan restored to its early 1900s grandeur. William Jennings Bryan served 2 terms in Congress, was U.S. Secretary of State and was the Democratic Party nominee for President in 1896, 1900 and 1908.

Frank H. Woods Telephone Pioneer Museum

2047 M St

Lincoln, NE

2047 M St - Replicas of Alexander Graham Bell's original designs. Early operator switchboards, wall phones and candlesticks adorn the museum. A 1929 Chevrolet telephone, complete with tools, occupies a special place. Old phones to new, there's something for everyone.

Great Plains Art Museum

1155 Q St

Lincoln, NE

1155 Q St on UNL City Campus - Features changing exhibits and permanent collections including artwork by Albert Bierstadt, William de la Montagne Cary, Robert F. Gilder, William Henry Jackson, Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell and Olaf Wieghorst. The library contains an impressive 7,500 volumes consisting of several Western novels and many other fiction and nonfiction books about the West and the Great Plains.

Hyde Memorial Observatory

3701 S. 70th St

Lincoln, NE

Holmes Park, 3701 S. 70th St - Programs include viewing the sky through telescopes, constellation talks and two video programs which change monthly. New Nexstar telescope is GPS guided and has astro-photography and large screen projection capability.

Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum

UNL East Campus, 35th & Fair Sts

Lincoln, NE

35th & Fair Sts on UNL East Campus - Display of antique tractors, agricultural tools, research materials and a collection of tractor tests since 1920

Laser Quest

6802 P St

Lincoln, NE

6802 P St, East Park Plaza - An interactive adventure game for ages 7-77. Unbeatable fun for social outings, reunions and parties. Teambuilding workshops and educational field trips.

Lincoln Children's Museum

1420 P St

Lincoln, NE

1420 P St - Experience the power of play! Creativity, discovery and learning come together for children in 3 floors of hands-on exhibits including a 3-story apple tree, a real stage, a full-size Cessna airplane and an interactive water exhibit.

Lincoln Saline Wetland Nature Center

Jct of I-80 & US Hwy 77

Lincoln, NE

Jct of I-80 & US Hwy 77 - Learn about one of the earth's rarest ecosystems. Historic Wyoming Bridge, once located in Otoe County Nebraska, now spans a pond at the wetland. It is one of only a few bowstring bridges located in Nebraska.

Lux Center for the Arts

2601 N. 48th St

Lincoln, NE

2601 N. 48th St - Facility's focus is art education, art exhibitions and community outreach. The Gladys M. Lux historical collections include more than 500 master prints.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Botanical Garden and Arboretum

UNL City Campus, 14th & R Sts, and East Campus at 38th & Holdrege Sts

Lincoln, NE

Thomas P. Kennard House

1627 H St

Lincoln, NE

1627 H St - Restored 1869 house is the oldest house in Lincoln.

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.visitnebraska.com/index.php

http://www.lincoln.org/

http://www.unl.edu/lincoln/home

http://www.gallup.com

“Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.”
― Kellie Elmore

Live a Better Life Travel Often!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” NEBRASKA

NEBRASKA: THE CORNHUSKER STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

When you choose to travel, whether it is for business or pleasure, it is important to plan your trip well before hand. Don't be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers let their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of your traveling and spend the miles you've earned! Miles have expiration dates, so be sure to use them before they expire. Often you can use them on items other than travel, so check out your options and get to spending. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Nebraska Travel Guide

Outlaws, pioneers and adventurers have all sought a piece of Nebraska, so instead of zipping through on your way to somewhere else, take a look around and prepare to be surprised. Sure, there's a lot of prairie and farmland, but there are also buzzing cities, unique landscapes and quirky sights.

State capital, Lincoln, has a student vibe, a hip and historic downtown, and flourishing arts and music scenes. You can catch big-name artists and sports stars in the shiny Pinnacle Bank Arena, tap your toes to jazz and blues in the Zoo Bar, or wander the sculpture garden of the Philip Johnson-designed Sheldon Museum of Art.

Nebraska's biggest city, Omaha, reveals its own impressive line-up. Listen to the Omaha Symphony in the near-perfect acoustics of the Holland Performing Arts Center or rock to indie bands at the MAHA Music Festival. Slice through succulent hunks of Nebraskan ribeye in chic eateries or relive your teens (albeit with legal booze this time) through old-school arcade games and craft ales at Beercade.

Track those lawless criminals on the Outlaw Scenic Byway, which passes snaking rivers, grass-covered sand dunes (the Sandhills) and charging waterfalls. Stop off for wagon rides, bison-spotting, paddling and homemade pies.

Hike on giant fungi in Toadstool Geological Park, a classic Badlands landscape, named for its mushroom-shaped rock formations. And no, your eyes aren't deceiving you: that really is a Stonehenge-inspired sculpture looming on the horizon near Alliance. Only this one is made from vintage cars, spray-painted grey to resemble its English cousin. And it's called Carhenge.

Things to see and do in Nebraska

Chimney Rock

Discover state attractions such as the pioneer landmark of Chimney Rock; and Fort Robinson State Park, where Chief Crazy Horse surrendered in 1877.

Henry Doorly Zoo

See the world's largest indoor tropical rainforest at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo (website: www.omahazoo.com); watch brown sharks swim ominously close in the aquarium; experience three desert climates in one biosphere in the Desert Dome; or venture into the nocturnal exhibit, Kingdoms of the Night.

Holland Performing Arts Center

Take in Omaha's culture at the Holland Performing Arts Center (www.omahaperformingarts.org), or the free Shakespeare on the Green (Nebraska Shakespeare) festival (www.nebraskashakespeare.com), which takes place in late June and early July in Elmwood Park. Explore the state capital, Lincoln, and enjoy spectacular views from the top floor of the State Capitol building. Discover the history of the Plains Indians at the Museum of Nebraska History, or see the largest mounted mammoth in a US museum at the University of Nebraska State Museum (www.museum.unl.edu).

Mueller Planetarium

Study the stars at Mueller Planetarium (www.spacelaser.com); or enjoy a collection of Warhol Pop Art at the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery (www.sheldonartgallery.org).

 

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 My mom is painfully sweet; she's from Nebraska.

Gabrielle Union

  

Experience life travel with those you love!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” NEBRASKA

NEBRASKA: THE CORNHUSKER STATE

BY CLAY LARROY 

Traveling has great educational value and increases of our knowledge. While travelling, a person comes across people of different races, religions, regions, etc. and   also visits different places. Each place has a historical importance of its own. Traveling is also a source of great pleasure. It gives us respite from our dull and dreary routine. It relieves us of our worries.  It enables us to meet new people and know their customs, habits and traditions. We can also know the different kinds of food eaten by people belonging to different regions. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

 Overview of Nebraska

Nebraska is situated in the Great Plains of the American Midwest, where agriculture is a way of life. The level land of the east is ideal for farming, while the western area of high dunes and small, shallow lakes is dotted with ranches. This divide is evident to some degree in personality as well as in physical terrain. The hub of Omaha ties one half of Nebraska to the Midwest, while many in the western half staunchly identify with the more rugged Old West heritage. Most traveler’s to Nebraska are probably not after big-city action. Those who are have only two options: Omaha, the state's largest city; and the nearby capital of Lincoln. Famous as the home of financial genius Warren Buffett as well as really great steaks, Omaha may be a far cultural cry from New York City, but it has a world-renowned zoo and a buzzing arts and entertainment district. Lincoln is a small and fairly sleepy state capital but it is transformed from small-city peace to football-fan pandemonium with every University of Nebraska Huskers' game.

The attraction of Nebraska lie in its natural beauty to the west of the commercial centers and flatlands. Early each spring, the Platte River in south-central Nebraska is a stopover in the massive migration of the sandhill cranes, the largest gathering of this kind in the world. Watching the ritual dancing of the cranes as the sun sets over the water is a breath-taking sight. Further west is the Nebraska Sandhills, a remote, rippling area of grass-covered dunes and isolated ranches.

But it is in the far panhandle region of Nebraska that the landscape truly becomes remarkable, jutting up into rocky columns, sheer buttes and pine-covered canyons. This is wilder land, where skirmishes with Native Americans continued long after the east was settled, where Crazy Horse, leader of the Lakota, was killed at a lonely frontier outpost. The geography culminates in Scotts Bluff and Chimney Rock, unusual limestone formations that tower above the surrounding land. Both were major landmarks for pioneers on the Oregon Trail, the wagon roadbed of which is still visible. This is not the only lasting impression man has left on this landscape, however. When the thrill of the natural environment wears off, having come this far west, traveler’s might as well visit one extremely odd man-made addition: Carhenge, a life-size replica of Stonehenge constructed entirely of old cars.

 

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 

Nebraska sets the standard for how fans should act.
-- Beano Cook

 

Enjoy Life, Love and Travel to create remarkable memories

 that will last a lifetime!

 

 

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” SOUTH DAKOTA

SOUTH DAKOTA: THE MOUNT RUSHMORE STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Across the America many couples are having wonderful wedding after months of planning. The bride and groom will need a honeymoon to rest and recuperate.  Vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Couples that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Couples vacations and travel can be a most rewarding experience. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

The article below offers an enchanting viewpoint on South Dakota.

Visiting South Dakota on Your Next Road Trip

 By Ann Emerson  |   Submitted On March 19, 2010

  

Picture high mountains and low prairies, big rivers, waterfalls, dark hills and clear streams, spruce forests, ridges, canyons, and caves. You'll find they're all bundled together in one rambling, rolling package called South Dakota.

In western South Dakota, in a setting of the Black Hills, Badlands, and blue lakes, Keystone's Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a blend of history with nature. Rushmore stands tall and proud as a geologic tribute to America's enduring strength and commitment to freedom. The 60-foot-high faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln are immortalized on a granite mountainside in the heart of the Black Hills. These stunning images were produced by the solid determination and colossal efforts of sculptor, Gutzon Borglum and his Depression-era crew of 400 miners. Today's visitors can walk among state banners on Avenue of the Flags where they'll survey park sights from the museum rooftop's Grand View Terrace. The Presidential Trail, a fully accessible footpath and boardwalk, provides the finest perspectives of the four monumental faces.

Custer State Park is also found in western South Dakota, just outside the town of the same name. This Black Hills park is unique, from the 7,000-foot high Harney Peak, you can hike to the banks of French Creek where Custer and company first encountered gold in the 1870s. Rock climbers, equestrians, and mountain bikers find their own brand of fun at Custer. Visitors can catch a big fish for supper or rustle up some tasty grub at the park's Chuck Wagon Cookouts. Those who want to expand their horizons can board a Jeep tour in search of the park's free-roaming buffalo herd. Guests who'd like to participate in Custer's ranger-led activities attend gold-panning sessions, campfire meetings and outdoor cooking classes.

Another of South Dakota's western area wonders is Badlands National Park. This territory includes Sioux Ghost Dance sites from the late 1800s and encompasses 244,000 acres of abrupt canyons, spires, spiked ledges and ravines that, through erosion, have been dramatically reformed into unearthly shapes, sizes and hues. Select areas of this otherworldly-looking preserve are co-managed by the National Park Service and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Along the Badlands' grassy prairie, striped skunks, bighorn sheep, tundra swans, whooping cranes, and rare black-footed ferrets find a home range. Hikers can get better acquainted with the park by walking the Fossil Exhibit or Cliff Shelf Nature Trails. For their part, RV travelers take the side trip off Badlands Loop Road, a State Scenic Byway, to investigate Roberts Prairie Dog Town.

Near Yankton, in the southeastern region, eco-tourists enjoy natural perks at the Missouri River's Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area. Here, water sports rule, with swimming, boating, fishing and water skiing all on the agenda. As one of South Dakota's most visited recreation areas, this park boasts designated swimming and water skiing beaches with miles of sandy shores, a pool and marina plus ramps and launches for watercraft owners. Lewis and Clark's landlubbers enjoy a good variety of hiking and horse paths, paved bike trails, an archery range and delightful picnic areas.

Woodall's Campground Directory is the largest and most detailed North American Campground Directory available, with nearly 15,000 campgrounds included. Woodall's rates and inspects privately owned campgrounds with its trusted 5W-5W rating system. Find out more about South Dakota Campgrounds. 

Woodall's... We're everywhere RVers go.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ann_Emerson/513215

     

Travel  and create magnificent memories for your family!