Nebraska became the 37th state to join the United States on March 1, 1867. The capital city is Lincoln. The highest point is Panorama Point at 5,424 feet.

Road Trip 2013 - Day 4 - June 14 - Nebraska - Stop 1 (Previous road trip 2013 posts: Indiana Dunes, De Immigrant, Amana Colonies, Des Moines, Madison County Roads, Bridges of Madison County, White Pole Road)

Great Platte River Road Archway MonumentLearn about early pioneers right by I-80 in Kearney, NE. The road trip has taken us another state westward. Just about half way across Nebraska, in Kearney, this was a wonderful stop to rest and learn something new at the same time. Despite the millions of travelers passing underneath the archway every year, this wonderful museum enjoys only about 50,000 visitors each year. We're all in such a hurry! Don't be like most, slow down, get off the highway, and learn something new. You can rest and eat at the same time and be fresh for the next several hundred miles ahead of you. In my opinion, well worth the stop!

The monument, built as an arch directly over I-80,  will take you back “to an era when covered wagons, buffalo, hand-pulled carts, and trains first criss-crossed the prairie”. It will take you back to mid nineteenth century when pioneers traveled to the West Coast overcoming many challenges they could not even imagine.

Inside the archway your wi-fi headsets detect the zone you are in and automatically play the relevant narration. The exhibits consist of both physical objects, like wagons and their cargo, as well as large whole-wall murals. It’s all made in a way that’s engaging for both adults and children.

Artifacts at the Archway MonumentLearn about early pioneers right by I-80 in Kearney, NE. Aside for the interior exhibit your admission will also include an outside exhibit about Pawnee Indians, how and where they lived, and how they grew their food.

To close your visit off, you can try your navigational skills at their outdoor maze. Can you visit all four towers and then find your way to the exit? Who can make it faster? Again, challenging enough for both adults and children. Oh, and if you’re hungry, before or after the maze, the first floor restaurant is very reasonable and yummy!

The monument opened to the public in 2000, however, is having severe financial difficulties. Maybe the new eastbound exit on I-80 will help. If you’re driving by (or under I should say), take a break and visit.

Enjoy your travels!

PS: December has started and I am on Day 4 of our June road trip. At this pace, the next road trip will be here before I manage to document the previous one. I guess I'll have to pick the pace up.

• Nebraska on 50states.com
• Great Platte River Road Archway Monument
• Great Platte River Road Archway Monument on Wikipedia
• A Monument to the West That Many Pass By on New York Times

Equipment used:

Nikon D600, Nikon 24-85mm Nikkor Lens, Think Tank Speed Demon Waist Pack,  Petzl Zipka Plus 2 Headlamp (always in the bag just in case), SanDisk Extreme 32GB SD Cards, Nikon Capture NX2

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