Right in Your Own Backyard LW

Even though LW grew up here in Council Bluffs, IA, this week we saw a few things that he hadn't ever seen or at least hadn't seen in years.  Here's what we discovered.

Black Angel Statue-A memorial to Ruth Anne Dodge sculpted by Daniel Chester French and dedicated in 1920.  It is weathered black by the elements.  A plaque near the base stated that it is the angel Ruth saw in her dreams and then she died 2 days later.

Lincoln Monument-This monument to Abe Lincoln is located at the spot where he overlooked the valley in 1859, and shortly thereafter proclaimed Council Bluffs to be the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Joslyn Art Museum-I went to the art museum because they advertised Picture Book Art by Marla Frazee as a new exhibit.  I liked the art center itself but I was a little underwhelmed by the picture book exhibit.  It just had frames from different books on the wall.  No info and not even some of her more well known books.Here are a couple pictures from my visit.

out front in the sculpture garden

Loved this portrait

one example  of Marla Frazee's work

Union Pacific Train Engines-On display, high above I-80, we found Big Boy, the largest steam  train engine ever built and the Centennial No 6900, the largest and most powerful diesel-electric locomotive ever built.

The Golden Spike-This is a 56 ft tall replica of the tiny spike that marked the completion of the transcontinental railroad in Utah. This monument was placed here in 1939 as a promotional gimmick for the movie Union Pacific.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and riverfront area-crosses the Missouri River from Council Bluffs, IA to Omaha, NE.

Gerald Ford Birthsite and Garden-This spot marks where President Ford was born.  The house is no longer there but it has a beautiful garden and pavilion, including a few pieces of memorabilia.

There is also a time capsule that was buried here in 1976, to be opened in 2076.  I wonder what is inside.

Chef Boyardee Statue-In downtown Omaha we found a 6 ft bronze statue of Chef Boyardee in the ConAgra Plaza.

Memorial Stadium, Home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln, NE-

National Roller Skating Museum in Lincoln, NE-Here we found skates from famous people like Tara Lipinski, cowboy boot skates, skates signed by Drew Barrymore, and many many other things related to roller skating over the years.

Nebraska Holocaust Memorial in Lincoln, NE-Lincoln has a beautiful Holocaust Memorial.  There are bricks with just a few names of victims set among many, many stones meant to symbolize the sea of victims, There was a sculpture in the shape of the Star of David with scenes from history on each side.  There was a butterfly garden in remembrance of the children.

Lots of other statues-

Now that we have explored LW's hometown and surrounding areas, let's move east towards my hometown.  See ya there in a few days.