Road Trip with Tami

Thanks for joining me for another fun day. Jason Wentworth and I headed east to meet my niece Courtney Cox for lunch. She is going to UNK in Kearney and we couldn’t wait to spend some time with her.

We first went to lunch, at Cunningham’s on the Lake. Jason and I had steaks and Courtney had a pizza. We started with an appetizer of steak tips with sauce to dip them in and I introduced Courtney to Lemon Drop Martinis, we were very much impressed with both! We all were nearly full just with the appetizers, then came a lovely salad of which I hate to say we didn’t eat very much of, as our sizzling steaks arrived promptly. Jason’s was a Jim Beam New York Strip, that took him no time at all to devour! I had a ribeye that was crazy huge, I got through about half of it, and had to have Courtney take the rest home. It was cooked to perfection, juicy and just plain wonderful. The Christmas decorations were up and what a fun atmosphere.

Our next stop was at the Archway Museum that stretches across the interstate. I guess I didn’t really know what to expect. I am pretty sure this is the most awesome museum I have ever been to. Before you start you are issued a gadget that will tell you the story as you go along. Then its time to begin our journey, as you go up the escalator you find yourself in the early days of the pioneers. Everything was dramatic and perfect to the time. Many dioramas and characters show the wagon trains crossing the plains. Every set, around every corner, was so very well done. I must say the fact there are many places to set throughout the whole place was awesome. As I cannot walk long, or far. It was very accommodating for handicap visitors. There also is an elevator as you go up to the next level where Nebraska continues through time, finding a fellow in a convertible at the drive-in. A wonderful café set in the 60’s. Jason found his favorite waitress there. Talk about photo ops everywhere. I was so surprised the museum was so big, and would never have imagined two floors! I really think the detail to everything was beyond amazing; so well done. As we came to the end of the journey we descended down the escalator to the gift shop.

First thing in the door is a real, working Coke machine. For those of you who know Jason, you know its Christmas in his world at that moment. Kellie Risk the Guest Service Manager opened it to show him the inner workings, which was so kind of her to take time with us. Next Jason put his money in, and pulled the coke out of the door. Since his illness his favorite soda has been eliminated. However, the bottles were not so big, and the ice cold, beloved Coke in that bottle were just to much to resist. He popped the cap and enjoyed it with a smile. He even got to take the bottle with him. Thanks Kellie for showing our friend a great time; it was fun visiting with you. And thank you to all the staff, such fun folks! We even had a gal from Alliance check us out! Miss Kaigan McBride!!

Now was time to part with Miss Courtney, she had been voted to be Dream Girl of one of the fraternities, and was off to a photo shoot. Hugs, smiles and see you at Thanksgiving all around and she was off.

But we had one more thing on our agenda and we headed to Hastings. As many of you know, Hastings is the home of Kool-Aid! We were headed to find the Kool-Aid Man. Jason and I had planned to visit there for quite awhile. It just worked we were already close and decided that was the day. We first found the old store front downtown, it is covered in Kool-Aid pictures but is not open to the public, it is now merely a store front.

So now we headed for the Hastings Museum where we were told there was a wonderful Kool-Aid exhibit. As we pull up in to park. A giant Kool-Aid Man was there to greet us!! The Kool-Aid section was amazing, so much history of Mr. Perkins the inventor, all the merchandise thru the years, and different companies who had bought and sold the company over the years. We had stopped and watched the Bugs Bunny commercials, with found memories of childhood let me tell you. Next we hit the elevator to explore the other two floors, and again, seating all over the place, so very much appreciated. I had to sit out quite a bit, as Jason checked out the rest of the exhibits. I really enjoyed the many taxidermy windows with beautiful animals in amazing diorama windows. I set out while Jason checked out the bird section. I am terrified of birds, and first thing of course I saw owls, and about a hundred other feathered critters and I hid out.

Last but not least of course was the gift shop, a Kool-Aid shirt came home with my tired friend, and we slowly made our way back to the car. This museum also was just amazing and beautiful. We were so glad we spent the day having so much fun but it was a long way home. By the time we got home we had spent 14 hours away and were ready to call it a night.

If you find yourself heading that way, make sure you stop at the Archway Museum, it and all the people working there were the best of the best. And, if you’re a Kool-Aid fan, head for Hastings, you won’t be disappointed! See you there!