Landmarks

The Archway

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Along I-80, in about the middle of Nebraska, crossing the Interstate, erected high, stands the Archway.

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Inside the Archway is a museum that covers the history of the Great Plains of Nebraska. From the settlers, to building of the interstate, through today’s modern history.

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Outside on the west side, is a maze that resembles a fort. It probably depicts Fort Kearney, which is only a few miles away.

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Across the bridge there are sculptures of bison and walking trails that will take you to Kearney or the Fort Kearney State Historical Park.

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Historic Natchez Cemetery

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Most of the homes around Natchez, MS, last tour is a 4:30 p.m.  So, what do you do after you walk around downtown and view the Mississippi River?  Yes, you go to the cemetery.

The Historic Natchez Cemetery was established in 1822 high on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

I do not have any known relative or friend buried here. But, there is a lot of history on these grounds.

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Natchez, Mississippi

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I have driven through Natchez, Mississippi many times while heading to North Louisiana.  Mostly, stopping at the McDonalds for a quick break.  I always loved the tree lined view on John R. Junkin drive, and wanted to see more of the city.

Natchez, is located on the East side of the Mississippi River.  Vidalia, Louisiana is directly across the river on the west side.

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Selecting pictures to add in the blog post was difficult, because Natchez is a beautiful city with a lot of history.

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I could have spent the entire day, looking over the Mississippi River.  If you never have seen the Mississippi River in the Southern States, it is an amazing site.

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This is a newer building overlooking the Mississippi.  I share it because the famous restaurant, Cock of the Walk, was located.

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Even their Court House is a vision.

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In other blog posts, I will cover some of the places I visited while staying in Natchez, MS.

Rock City

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Rock City is located in Minneapolis, Kansas. The huge rocks are sandstone concretions. It a nice area, but bring your insect spray and use it. It located in a field ripe with big rocks and tiny bugs.

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Cohn Arboretum

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The Cohn Arboretum in Baton Rouge, the official name “Laurens Henry Cohn, Sr. Memorial Plant Arboretum” is one of the most beautiful places in Baton Rouge.  In the middle it has a pond and surrounded by walking path and trees.  There is even a grapes being grown.  If they fix up the house with period pieces, this place would be historic.

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Holy Family Shrine

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The Holy Family Shrine is in Gretna, Nebraska, which is locate outside of Omaha.  During my trips to and from Omaha I saw this awesome building sitting up a on hill.  I immediately wanted to visit it.

Later, while looking for places to visit in Nebraska, I saw this building listed and learned its name and found its website: Holy Family Shrine.  After many months, with travel arrangement changing,  I finally made a trip to the Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall and a visit to the Shrine was only five minutes away.

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There is a fountain in the gift shop with water trickling down.  A stream runs from the fountain, out the doors, down a path, and through the Shrine.

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The Shrine is located on a hill surrounded by fields.

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It was beautiful. Even on the cold, cloudy, gray day when I visited the Shrine.

Inside the Shrine wasn’t fancy. But, who needs fancy when you have such a magnificent view.

Texas Renaissance Festival – 2015

/ Sarah Collins / 3 Comments

The Texas Renaissance Festival kicked off it’s 41st year and I was there on opening day with thousands of other attendees and performers.

The gates to the festivities.

The gates to the festivities.

Note: If you enter the Festival by yourself, you are not accosted to by the Festival photographers to have your picture taken. But, if you are dressed in costume you are asked politely by attendees to have your photo taken.

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All the shows I attended was very entertaining.  The performance by the Queen’s Guards was one of the best.

We must protect the Queen!

We must protect the Queen!

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The Joisting show was entertaining, but the funniest part was at the end of the show where the ring leader’s horse threw him and after a short attempt to calm the horse, the horse ran out of the ring following the other horses.

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We cheered for England!

When there is a Doctor Who reference on the side of the haunted house, it is a must see.

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Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer

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The Stuhr Museum, located in Grand Island, NE, was established in 1961.  Since then it has been collecting and restoring objects and information related to the Nebraska prairie life between the time period of 1840 – 1920.  I have been to other living history museums and this one is one of the best.

In their main building they have objects which takes you through the history of prairie life in Nebraska.

Stuhr Museum Main Building

Stuhr Museum Main Building

Windmill

Windmill

Outside the main building you will find ducks and fish swimming in the pond.

Ducks

Ducks

Pond

Pon

There is a garden you can walk through to access the Railroad Town. If you go during the last spring or summer, you can see the daylilies in bloom.

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While visiting the Stuhr Museum, don’t miss Railroad Town.  It has old trains to tour and numerous historical buildings that has been preserved.  If you visit on the correct days, you can see demos from the hat maker, blacksmith, tin smith and carpenter.  There are several houses you can tour.

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While visiting the Railroad Town, stop by the General Store for some handmade items and the Restaurant for some ice cream.

As you are exploring Stuhr Musuem, watch you step there are many of ducks and goose around.

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Natchitoches – The City of Lights

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Today, my travels took me to Natchitoches, Louisiana.  It is called the City of Lights because at Christmas time they light up the city with thousands of lights.  Last year, 2014, they celebrated their 300 birthday.

They have a wonderful park located on the Cane River in their downtown historical district.  I walked by the shops, but many was closed today because of the Labor Day holiday.

Many Bed and Breakfast establishments are located in Natchitoches, but I choose to stay somewhere else.  One day, I will stay at a Bed and Breakfast.  But, it will be longer than just overnight and in either a Plantation or Castle.

Rogue House - Natchitoches

Rogue House – Natchitoches

Cane River

Cane River

Water Fall

Water Fall

Lunch was at Maglieaux on the Cane.  You can check out the review here: Maglieaux’s Review