Living in Lincoln, Nebraska for the past four years, we have had an opportunity to explore the state's many interesting sites. It takes about eight hours to cross the state traveling I-80. Take time to see some of Nebraska's sights. Here are just a few:

OMAHA, NEBRASKA

The name "Omaha" is derived from an American Indian word meaning "above all others on a stream." Called the "Crossroads of the Nation," Omaha played a key role in westward expansion. It is located on the west bank of the Missouri River on Interstate 80. Similar to Lincoln's Haymarket Park, Omaha boasts the historic Old Market area downtown. In addition to the two sites listed below, Omaha also has: Father Flanagan's Boys Town, the Joslyn Art Museum, the Mormon Trail Center, President Ford's Birthsite as well as many other interesting places to visit. It is also the home of the College Worldseries held each year at Rosenblatt Stadium. Soon after entering Nebraska from the East, you will see a huge dome as you're traveling down I-80. This is the new Desert Dome at Henry Doorly Zoo.

HENRY DOORLY ZOO:

Features 110 acres of rare and endangered species of animals, plus the Scott Aquarium and the Lied Jungle which features rain forest habitats of Asia, Africa and S. America. In the jungle, visitors see trees, beautiful waterfalls, lush plants, dark caves, winding paths and towering cliffs. There is also an IMAX Theater on the property and the largest indoor domed desert. It is located south at Exit #454.

DURHAM WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM:

This museum is housed in a restored Art Deco-style Union Pacific Railroad Station right in the downtown area at 9th St. using Exit #454 at 13th St. You will find exhibits on the history of Omaha, a large O-scale railroad layout, a restored soda fountain and statues depicting railroad passengers that talk when you walk near them. There are also traveling exhibits that are always of great interest.

STRETEGIC AIR COMMAND MUSEUM:

Off I-80 at exit 426, the museum houses an impressive display of aircraft, missiles and aerospace items in two hangers, as well as a restoration shop.

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA

Lincoln, the Capital of the State of Nebraska, is currently our home. Lincoln is a beautiful city of many parks and much to see and do such as: The State Capitol, University of Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall, Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden, Lincoln Children's Museum, Museum of Nebraska History, Folsom Children's Zoo, Haymarket Park and Sunken Gardens, to name a few.

CAPITOL BUILDING IN LINCOLN, NEBRASKA

Please see the following website for the complete story about the Capitol Building of Lincoln, Nebraska: http://www.nol.org/captour/welcome.htm

SUNKEN GARDENS:

Part of Antelope Park, Lincoln's Sunken Gardens has lily ponds, a fountain, flower beds and beautifully landscaped grounds. It is located at 27 and A Streets and is across the street from the city Rose Garden and the Folsom Children's Zoo.

FOLSOM CHILDREN'S ZOO:

With more than 300 animals (1/3 of them threatened or endangered species), the Folsom Children's Zoo is a wonderful place to visit for both young and old.

HISTORIC HAYMARKET PARK:

Located in a restored turn-of-the-20th-century warehouse district in downtown Lincoln, it began as an open-air market for produce and livestock. It is still an open-air market for produce, crafts and flowers during the summer months where you'll find hundreds of Lincolnites and visitors on Saturday mornings. It also has shops, boutiques, restaurants and entertainment.

"CZECH CAPITAL OF THE U.S.A." - WILBER, NE

Wilber, NE was proclaimed "The Czech Capital of the U.S.A." by President Ronald Reagan. The Wilber Czech Festival which crowns the Czech Queen from contestants from all over the world is held the first weekend of August with parades, food and fun. A visit to the Czech Museum is interesting and visiting the old Wilber Hotel and its individually decorated rooms, etc. is a must stop.

GREAT PLATTE RIVER ROAD ARCHWAY MONUMENT:

Located over Interstate 80 at Kearney, Nebraska, this museum commemorates the westward movement of the pioneers, the Pony Express, the railroads and The Lincoln Highway which eventually became Interstate 80 which stretches from New York to California for a distance of 3,389 miles. It's easy to miss this great attraction because the exit is not located right at the arch. Exit at #272 and go north to the first street going right and follow it back to the arch. Don't miss visiting this Monument because you feel like you are reliving the history of the pioneers moving west.

SCOTTS BLUFF NATIONAL MONUMENT:

The bluff is located in western Nebraska on SR 92 near the North Platte River and is 4,649 feet above sea level. The 3,003-acre monument is named for Hiram Scott, a trapper who died here around 1828. Scotts Bluff was a prominent landmark on the Oregon and California trails and many pioneers refer to the area in their journals. There is an interesting museum on the site and visitors can drive up to the top of Scotts Bluff for a vast view of what the pioneers saw. There are also several trails that a visitor might want to walk.

CHIMNEY ROCK NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE:

Chimney Rock, which rises some 300 feet from the prairie floor, signified the end of the prairies to the pioneers traveling west on the Oregon and California trails. It is located in western Nebraska south of the city of Bayard.

HOMESTEAD NATIONAL MONUMENT OF AMERICA:

Located 4 miles NW of Beatrice in southeastern Nebraska, the Homestead National Monument is one of the first quarter sections of land to be claimed under the Homstead Act of 1862. In 1936 Congress authorized this monument to commemorate the lives of the pioneers and the changes that the Homestead Act made to our country. Besides the museum, visitors can see an original homesteader's cabin and a one-room prarie schoolhouse plus 100 acres of restored grasslands with a trail that traverses the tallgrass prairie.

ROCK CREEK STATION STATE HISTORICAL PARK:

This park is located near Fairbury in the southeastern part of the state of Nebraska. Rock Creek Station was a stage and Pony Express stop on the Oregon Trail. You can still see deep ruts made by the covered wagons on their journey west.

ASHFALL FOSSIL BEDS STATE HISTORICAL PARK:

Located northeast of central Nebraska, six miles north of U.S. 20 between the cities of Royal and Orchard, Ashfall was found in the 1970s. Paleontologists from the University of Nebraska can be found excavating this site, as only a fraction of the site has been excavated. There is yet much to be learned. It is very rare to find whole herds of animals that have died and been buried in such a small area (360 acres) and have their carcasses be found pretty much intact. So far, more than 40 species of plants and animals have been identified from fossils found just below the ash bed. This area contains North America's most complete record of the 20-million-year history of grassland animals.

It is believed that 10 million years ago a volcanic eruption in the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Idaho caused volcanic ash to be blown eastward. Part of the great cloud of dust settled out to a foot or more deep over much of northern Nebraska. This ash then began to blow around like fresh snow and low-lying areas like the marshy pond at Ashfall were filled to depths of eight feet or more. Confused and choking, animals such as: pond turtles, birds, musk deer perished almost immediately. Larger horses, camels and rhinos were next, with an occasional giant tortoise dying last. Some of the animals died in their tracks with their last footprints still clearly visible. Many contain the fossilized remains of their last mouthful of grass.