Omaha

This is one of the long train runs, three days. So we planned an escape to tunnel out to the public cars. We were running ahead of schedule so our plans went a bit squiff and it wasn't to be. It was still a good train run though but then most are, its a great part of the week. Our train master Mike is great as he managed to get a three day train run down to a two and a half which meant we had a full day extra in Omaha (thanks to all those that helped make it possible too). It's quite exciting when you expect to arriving at night but you actually get there in the morning. It was also exciting to go around the horseshoe curve and see the front of the train right in front of you.



The train yard was pretty nice as far as train yards go, it had grass! It was still very dusty and then dirty when it rained but its pretty much part of the course. Willow was able to play out there and we had a barbecue or a grill out for those on this side of the pond. It was also the second week in a row that the train yard and the arena where in different states. The Arena is in Omaha, Nebraska but we are actually living in Council Bluffs, Iowa. We were also close enough to be able to walk to the cinema so went and watched 'UP' which is a great little movie which we all loved and Willow was quite please to be able to see before its UK release date.



Before arriving in Omar I sent off for a visitors guide and it arrived just in time the week before. Flicking through it Omaha looked great but then I'm guessing most local guides will paint this picture of their town. Omaha lived up to the guide, its a shame we where not here longer as it was a short week due to the long train run.

Willow went on her first school trip in Omaha which also coincided with her teachers last day. There was Miss Johnson, me and eight children and I will freely admit I was dreading it. I will also freely admit a good time was had by all, including me. We also went and watch a 3D film 'Under the Sea' at the Imax cinema and we all received a kiss from a sea lion. We went in the worlds largest indoor rainforest, were amazed to see common old magpies in the desert (?) and got split into two groups in the nocturnal exhibit because we couldn't see. I'm not sure when we will get a new teacher so we are attempting the home school thing on our own, and so far so good, I'll go as far as saying it is working out not too bad.

While we were in town it was also The Omaha Food festival with a carnival and stalls and free music and stuff. It was right next to the arena in Gene Leachy Pedestrian Mall which was great for going out to play but I think it effected business quite a bit. The show was the quietest that it had been. We went over there a few times, even taking Tweedy once as he had an early finish on Sunday. Willow bounced in castles and I tried to keep to the diet, which is pretty hard at a food festival. Also close by was The Old Market area of Omaha which had some 'real' shops, you know the independently owned ones that aren't the same in every Mall in every city you go to and located in actual real streets and these ones were cobbled. I think those who go out and party a bit also liked Omaha!!




On Sunday when we had Tweedy with us we went to Bobs Bridge (or to give it, its proper name Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge) and wandered across. Stepping from Nebraska to Iowa mid water over the Missouri River. You can even feel it sway when you are in the middle, which I thought might freak Willow out a little as she was 60 foot above the river but she actually liked it.



The weather was odd while we were here, the sun was so hot Willow left with a lot more freckles than she arrived with but we also had some amazing thunder and lightning storms that I just love watching. Sitting in your home as it hurtles (OK hurtle may not be the correct word) across the American landscape watching the rain pelt down and the lighting streak across the sky truly is a great experience.

So we left Omaha a little to early for my liking but it is better that way than still being some where when you wish you could leave.