Missouri River

Who Wouldn’t Want to Do This in Southeast Nebraska?

~ Linda Leier Thomason ~ Leave a comment

Southeast Nebraska is a land of plenty with something for everyone. This area-one hour south of Omaha-is filled with history, unique festivals and events, and picturesque landscapes.

Here’s an overview of 4 communities we recently visited.

Website links are provided to help you plan your own adventure.

Brownville

Brownville (pop. 132)-a quaint village on the Missouri River-is on the National Register of Historic Places. Put on your walking shoes and check out the museums, the riverfront, the theatre and the concert series. Take a dinner cruise. Shop Memorial Day weekend and each fall at the Annual Brownville Flea Market. Stay overnight-perhaps at the River Inn Resort.

There’s plenty to see and explore.

60th Annual Flea Market

Helpful Hint: Call ahead if there’s a particular business or museum you’d like to visit. Most weren’t open during website-posted store hours on our Easter weekend visit. Brownville is an event-based community. Plan ahead if you are visiting during an event. Lodging sells out.

Sweetwater Brooms & Engraving- Broom Maker
Brooms made by hand-last a lifetime.

Whiskey Run Creek Vineyard & Winery

Every once in a while one encounters someone who leaves a forever positive impression. Matthew Heskett did just that. Matt is a sixth-generation farmer and son of proprietors, Ron and Sherry. He’s a 20-something entrepreneur with some of the savviest customer service skills we’ve encountered in Nebraska. He knew his community and his industry like a seasoned pro. Matt is an outstanding ambassador for both his business and Southeast Nebraska. Go meet him at the winery.

We toured the historic 1866 cave (year-round 55 degree temperature) and the 100-year old barn. Inside we sampled wines, checked out the gift shop and viewed the event location upstairs. Matt even showed us the production facility and explained the construction where a distillery is being added. We will return for more award-winning wine and old-fashioned hospitality.

Helpful Hint: Friday nights May through August they host live musical performances. Weddings can be held on location by the gazebo and waterfall.

Auburn

We drove a short distance on Highway 36 west to Auburn for lunch since none of Brownville’s restaurants were open. Two restaurants were consistently recommended: Hickory Road BBQ and El-Portal Mexican Restaurant.

We chose the former. The food quality and service were both outstanding.

Peru

This town of just over 800 is home to Nebraska’s first college (1867). Back then it was known as the teacher’s training school. Today Peru State College has around 2400 students.

Walk the historic, picturesque campus. Be sure to see the Little Red Schoolhouse

Drive to the Mt. Vernon Cemetery and see the historical grave markers. This hilltop location is also a Tri-State Observation Area (Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri).

Pack the bicycles and ride the Steamboat Trace Trail (found at north end of 5th street) between Brownville and Nebraska City. You can also hike it and enjoy birding along the way.

Stop in for a meal, a cool drink and a game of pool while in Peru.

Peru boasts a number of attractive city parks, including Sid Brown Memorial Park. Young children enjoy the splash pad during warm summer months.

A boat ramp to the Missouri River is accessible at 5th and Olive Street. The Peru Bottoms Wildlife Management Area (The Bottoms) is along the route, and beyond, and is available for hunting, fishing and birding.

Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City

Nebraska is the proud home of Arbor Day. Founded in 1972 by J. Sterling Morton (whose son founded Morton Salt Company), Arbor Day encourages citizens worldwide to plant trees.

The 140-room, award-winning Lodge at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City is a sought-after gathering place for those who care deeply about the natural world and its future. It features the Timber Dining Room, a spa, sauna, exercise room, Olympic-sized pool, bar and conference center.

Like most lodging facilities, it is only as good as the guests staying there. During our rainy, holiday weekend stay, families crammed the pool with over-sized floats, leaving little room to enjoy the facilities in the naturally peaceful setting. Floors outside the pool area were wet and slippery. Under-aged, unsupervised guests occupied the sauna. (Safety concerns were reported to front desk staff.)

Helpful Hint: Stay mid-week or on a non-holiday weekend if you are seeking a peaceful retreat.

Visit the Arbor Day Farm website for things to do and trails to walk.

Get a ticket to the Tree Adventure. Educational and fun for all ages.

 

Walk the trails; listen to the forest

Include Indian Cave State Park on your list of things to do in Southeast Nebraska. The park has 3000+ acres and is southeast of Nemaha, along the Missouri River. Check out the large sandstone cave in the park.

Get out and explore Southeast Nebraska. visitsoutheastnebraska.org

Create your own family memories and enjoy all that Nebraska offers.

 

Linda Leier Thomason is the founder and former CEO of  a Charleston, SC based event production and publication corporation. Today, she resides in Omaha, NE  where she writes about her undercover visits to towns and communities, among other things. To learn more about Linda, click on the “Meet Linda” tab above.

Contact me to have your town or community featured.

©Copyright. April 2017. Linda Leier Thomason

All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

An Open Affair With Vermillion

~ Linda Leier Thomason ~ Leave a comment

Vermillion, South Dakota you’ve been holding out on me!

You finally revealed the depth & beauty of your soul on my third Family Weekend visit. Had I known the secrets you were keeping, I’d have spent much more time with you. You secretive, sly one! These past two years I’ve only seen your dorm rooms, your downtown and your DakotaDome. This year the depth of your character and the beauty of your surroundings were disclosed. You let slip the history of your beginnings and plans for your future. Know I crave more of you and desperately long for our next meeting.

Let’s be open about our affair. The past two years we’ve visited a student. This year we toured with the same student-now a university employee. Together we awed over your Shakespeare Garden, the time capsule and the National Music Museum-all new and exciting parts of your university-only drawing us closer. We drove by the president’s house, saw the burgeoning athletic fields and experienced a football team win with an energy-filled fan base, unlike past years. We traversed your southern bluffs and succumbed to your Missouri River sunset. There was a freshness and a real excitement in our connection this time. So much so that I want to openly hold hands with you in public and announce my joy with each visit. I’ve been enriched getting to know you and want to share all you offer.

Here’s Why-

architecture usdHistory & Architecture

USD was founded in 1862. Campus architecture and well-maintained grounds reveal pride in this rich history as the first post-secondary institution in the Dakotas.

I equally enjoy old and new. Your perfect blend of historical and contemporary buildings delights me.beacom

 

 

National Music Museum

music usdWho’d think a city of 10,000+ would boast a National Music Museum? This hidden gem is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums in Washington, D.C., and is recognized as a “Landmark of American Music” by the National Music Council. Its collections contain more than 15,000 instruments from all cultures and historical periods.

Music moves my soul and this place cements me in the history of music.

Restaurants With Characterwhimps

Just a short drive from Vermillion is the unincorporated Burbank, South Dakota-home of Whimps. Nothing fancy here- just fast, signefficient and friendly service in a nondescript hole-in-the wall building with an overflowing parking lot. Locals know where to eat, and now I do too.

Priceless Views

moonA dead-end gravel road framed in golden fall colors won me over. How dare you have kept this from me for two years? I’m totally smitten with your bluff views and your sandy beaches-all seen with you on a night when the moon was full.

You knew my history of coastal living, yet withheld this natural beauty until you were sure of my commitment. Your mystery intrigues me.

Your academic buildings on a historical campus. Your national museum. Your manicured grounds. Your character-filled eateries. Your picturesque surroundings. Oh, the many layers and textures of your existence.

How can I let you go & leave you behind?sandMy devotion is real.

I will return to you… Vermillion, South Dakota.

Surely there is much more to you, yet to be revealed.

The affair continues. Openly.

If you are a Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) staffer or tourism official and you’d like to have your community reviewed and promoted, please contact me at llthomason60@gmail.com.

Copyright. October 2015. Linda Leier Thomason.

All Rights Reserved.