Spring Break Part 2: Omaha Odyssey

Blog2Print update: Two days until the service shuts down!  Unfortunately every time I try to create a book, I receive an error message.  I'm not sure that their customer service department has a lot of motivation to get things fixed, but I refuse to give up hope.  May the blog fest continue!  If the site gets fixed, at least I will be ready.

After a long but uneventful drive to Omaha, we pulled up to Capitol Avenue to see blooming trees and a new smiley face flag.  The Wilhoits arrived before us, so we had fun cousins waiting to play.  Win win!

Both Jason and Talia had lots of work to do, but thankfully laptops and calculators travel.

On Thursday, NomiAnn and Papa Kay treated us to a Treetop Adventure at the Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City.  Our first visit, it was super fun!  The spider web makes for a pretty comfy hammock.

Mazes and chutes galore.

The highlight of the Treetop Adventure is a village of 11 treehouses, all connected by bridges, nets, and a giant trampoline.

Papa Kay and NomiAnn joined the fun as well.  You're never too old for a trampoline!

Anders shows Papa Kay how it's done.

NomiAnn has some crazy hair.

Dog pile on Grandma!  Or maybe it's Callie.  Can't quite tell who's on the bottom.

To exit, there's this giant tube slide that is fun to slide down, but even more impressive to claw your way up.  Anders and Eli demonstrated both.

The dark blob at the bottom is Papa Kay's cowboy hat.

Everyone say cheese!

NomiAnn and Papa Kay, thanks for sharing this great experience with us all.  We'd come back any time, both for the trees and the ice cream.  :)

Friday was both Papa Kay's birthday and Hogle Zoo Day.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  It seemed to me like the animals appreciated as much as we did!

One of the first animals that you encounter in the zoo is the okapi.  God certainly got creative with this one!

I ❤ giraffes.

Baby elephants!  There's a reason Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is ranked #1 in the nation.

This rhino let us get pretty close.

Papa Kay has always had a special connection with Briggs, the orangutan.

Lazy lions and tired teens (papas too.)

We even found Papa Kay's stingray at Stingray Beach.  Tic tac time!

Now this.  This gorilla.  I cut out the most explicit pictures, but Mr. Hairy Silverback kept reaching behind, digging out a plug of poop, and EATING it.  Repeatedly.  In the past, I've always felt empowered by my evolutionary connection to the great apes, but at the moment I was eager to put as much distance between the two of us as possible.

NomiAnn was pretty grossed out too.

When he came and sat by the window to chat with Eli, much was forgiven.  But I still wouldn't want a gorilla kiss.  Imagine the breath...

This sea lion was pretty hilarious as it twirled with the plastic kelp.

Eli saved the day when Talia's legs got tired.

Chatting with Papa Kay before going through the Desert Dome.

Requisite photos by the lions.  So many great memories spanning so many decades!

Thank you Papa Kay and NomiAnn for getting us to the zoo.  Every time is a special adventure. 

Last but not least, finishing the day in our old South Omaha neighborhood with burgers and fries at Dinkers in honor of Papa Kay's birthday.  We love you!

Our Omaha adventure continued Saturday at Lauritzen Gardens.  The Lego Dinosaur exhibit was so fun!

Look out behind you, Papa Kay!

Talia saved Eli from the Tyrannosaurus Rex, then hopped in a jeep with Eli.

Papa Kay felt this raptor needed a hat.

Back inside the Conservatory, this Bird of Paradise was as fascinating as any dinosaur.

Also, I had NO idea that banana plants feature this super long, dangling inflorescence.  (Had to look that last word up.)  Mind blown!

Having grown up in the age of Barney, I did know that purple dinosaurs exist.

After visiting all the Brickosaurs, we enjoyed a tram ride through the garden to see the million daffodils project.  The blanket of yellow was stunning.

Between the Treehouse Adventure, the Henry Doorly Zoo, and the Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha delighted the whole family once again.  I definitely appreciate why US News ranked Nebraska as number three in the nation.

Thank you for the warm welcome, NomiAnn and Papa Kay!  We can't wait to visit again.